Should i use air pump for a non CO2 tank?

**qngwn** · 23rd Jul 2009, 18:15

was thinking of setting up a non co2 planted tank.
and was thinking also that using an air pump will not require the additional dosing of carbon.

what are your opinions?

anyone help?

**ywl** · 24th Jul 2009, 01:11

I used an air pump on a timer , so it runs only after the lights are out at night .I was hoping in this way the Co2 content can be higher when the lights are on for the plants

**qngwn** · 24th Jul 2009, 05:22

so bubbling CO2 actually alters the oxygen and CO2 content inthe air?

**qngwn** · 27th Jul 2009, 22:53

Originally Posted by qngwn

so bubbling CO2 actually alters the oxygen and CO2 content inthe air?

anyone can help me?

**Desewer** · 28th Jul 2009, 00:06

using an airstone creates surface agitation which induces the exchange of gases with the atmosphere. theoretically (other bros, please correct me if i'm wrong) if there is frequent surface agitation there will always be SOME co2 and o2 inside the tank water, though in smaller amounts than when you manually inject co2 inside. i do believe injection of co2 is not necessary if you are using an airstone, but of course you might be less successful if you try to keep demanding plants which require co2 injection.

**qngwn** · 28th Jul 2009, 16:52

but currently i'm using flourish excel.. so should i use air stone?

**Desewer** · 28th Jul 2009, 23:15

excel is a liquid form of carbon. airstone will not cause the liquid carbon to dissolve into the air.

**qngwn** · 29th Jul 2009, 01:22

okay! thanks for sharing! i bought riccia from C328. melted away in the low tech tank.

**cannon129** · 29th Jul 2009, 08:34

qngwn - since you are not dosing CO2, using an airstone would not be an issue. I am using airstone in some of the tanks w/o co2 injection and the plants are doing great.

**herns** · 29th Jul 2009, 12:53

Originally Posted by qngwn

was thinking of setting up a non co2 planted tank.
and was thinking also that using an air pump will not require the additional dosing of carbon.

what are your opinions?

anyone help?

Thats incorrect. Air pump will only gassed off CO2, therefore you dont need an air pump on a planted tank.

**qngwn** · 30th Jul 2009, 00:49

i'm doing a low tech tank without any CO2 injection..

**herns** · 30th Jul 2009, 02:14

Originally Posted by qngwn

i'm doing a low tech tank without any CO2 injection..

I understand you wont have CO2 injection. What Im trying to say is, it wouldnt help much more if you place air bubbles inside a planted tank.

**qngwn** · 3rd Aug 2009, 01:54

i've resorted to using flourish excel. i ugess thats better. at least now the whole set up is quieter, and nicer to look at.

**|squee|** · 6th Aug 2009, 19:24

There's no need to use an airstone. Just make sure there is some (not too much) surface agitation. This surface agitation is to ensure there is some exchange of gas with the water.

Most plants do fine in non-CO2 setups. I have a 2ft non-CO2 tank that has been running for 2 years now without any problems except BBA, which is related to my lighting. Just plant heavily, dose nutrients every few weeks or so. Keep low light, a sizable fish load and algae crew and stuff should be fine.

If you dose excel you need to do more frequent water changes as well as nutrient dosages. Plants grow faster though, and it can help in the setting-up stages when you want the plants to grow in faster.