Airation - How important?

[angyles]

hi all!

I'm wondering how important and air pump is. In my 10g I didn't bother. It has a lot of plants and I thought they would make up the dif. I'm now thinking of setting up that DIY CO2 system (pretty slick) and wonder if I should add an air pump too. Also, when I setup the 50g, do I need to add and air pump, or will the plants be enough? how do you determine if it's necessary, or is it always?

one more thing, does anyone know if those Plant Fizz Tabs that say they release co2 really work?

[Bruddah Chrispy]

It is my understanding that aeration helps to remove CO2 from the tank through water agitation. I specifically turned off my air pump when I went to DIY CO2. I also keep the tank full enough that there isn't a lot of agitation from the filter return.

[net_shark512]

using a airpump with a stone is just for looks soemtime. As long as your filter provides good turbulance to the water surface this is plenty of air for the fish.The pump isn't really pumping air into the water it is just causeing the surface of the water to move just like your filter does.This in turn provides air to the water. I used to like the bubble walls in my tank. Over time I got tired of the noise the pump makes and took it out. So its all up to you.