CO2 & Air Pump

[the naxman]

Hi all,

I've just set up my new 70l tank which will be heavily planted. I'm going to use a Co2 system.

Can i run an airpump for the fish at the same time? Or is the air pump going to waste the Co2?

Many thanks

[Cpark188]

Hi naxman,
I suggest that you can use air pump or air bubbles for your heavy planted tank. Placed it far away from the co2 diffuser, the reason is that during the night, plants give out carbon dioxide and the fishes will find difficulty in breathing. I have a heavily planted tank with many cherry red shrimps, without air pump each day 2 or 3 shrimps died, later air bubbles added to it and everythings fine. Good luck.

[jason6142004]

it depends. if there is enough surface agitation, theres no need for a air pump. i have shrimps dying for the past 3 days as a result of low O2 level. and the problem stop after i added a new plant yesterday.

[dcwk]

Air pump is usually not required in a planted tank.

[tcy81]

You can use a timer to set the air pump to turn on during lights off period.

[catohcat]

Can i run an airpump for the fish at the same time? Or is the air pump going to waste the Co2?

--> I think his question concerning this issue which I face the same problem. Anyone can enlighten us?

[williamng]

Guys

I run my CO2 when light is on. When light is off, I switch on my airpump to aerate the water.

Theoretically speaking, during the photosynthesis period, if the plants product sufficient O2, we dont really need an ar pump at night. However, based on my observation, I have seen shrimps and fish going to the surface in the morning. Occassionally, I will have 1 or 2 shrimps casualty. After adding the airpump, I dont see any dead shrimps in the morning.

[fleekk]

I used to have a heavy planted tank with quite nos of fishes. No airstone is required if your plants are healthy.