35 Litre (est) Hexagonal experiment

[Verminator]

I shall update on pics when i start the tank. For now i have one initial question which may have been answered elsewhere, but from where i've looked i cannoy locate it. So i'll ask here.

Obviously static water in a planted tank isnt recomended so water flow/current/movement is vital. Does this need to come from a filtration unit that provides current?

The reason i ask is because i plan to have this tank on my desk with the only trailing wires coming from the light unit above. Heat will not be an issue due to it being near my computer (which runs nearly 24/7) and my two other tanks in my room which seem to keep my room naturally around 25C (roughly). So i want to know if i can provide water movement for nutrients to be transported around the tank via an air stone. If filtration is a must (no livestock planned for this tank) then i'll make do with one installed.

Hopefully someone has some experience or can tell me if an air stone will suffice for a small tank that (for the time being) will just be planted.

Thanks, James

[feide]

I will suggest you use a small pump instead of a airstone.
IMO, you can manage the flow direction easier and there is less surface agitation.

[Jervis]

The airstone will create a lot of splashes on the water surface... will probably stain the side of your glass (top part) with whitish markings and the surface agitation will require constant water top up. The 'hissing' sound from the airstone can be annoying too especially in the middle of the night.

[stelim]

Yep, airstone is a bad idea.

How about small internal filter? Eden 304? Compact and with no fauna, regular maintenace will be kept to a minimum.

[Verminator]

My resources tell me the Eden range are mainly available in Australia. Never hear dof them over here in the UK either.

I have an old Fluval2Plus which i may just use. It's a little big though, was thinking a hang on filter, more for water flow rather than filtration.

[blue33]

Get a small powerhead with sponge below, that would solve your problem, and if you can a small rainbar would be better.

[Verminator]

Righto, i shall go shopping for a smal lfilter (preferable with rainbar) hopefully in the course of the next week.