When to submerse the spray bar in planted tank?

beviking

beviking

Senior Member, Sophomoric Attitude
Feb 16, 2002
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I'm just getting going with plants. Currently I have a small bit of J. moss, 5 small J.ferns, a few small water sprite and recently (last night) added 5 Corkscrew Val, and 2 A.nana to my 90g. I still have the spray bar under the surface but ruffling the surface. I know with moderate to heavy planted tanks, surface disturbance is a no-no, but when do I make the switch?
TIA
 
My plants are growing better since I added an AC402 powerhead near the surface. I think the protein film was restricting gas exchange, plus the added current has kept the bottom cleaner. In fact, I have seen pearling from my plants, due to increased oxygen saturation. If you are adding co2 then you may not wish to disturb the surface but in my case (no co2) it has improved the situation.
 
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beviking, I agree with skeletalmachine, in that if you don't add Co2, things are ok.....
What is your lighting situation? Do you want lush, faster growing plants, or are your fish the major part of your aquaria?

With Co2 DIY, or pressurised Co2, you want minimal surface disturbance. :)
 
Thanks! I'm going low-tech, no CO2. I'm running 4 - 32W bulbs. Definitely fish first! Plants secondary. I want healthy looking plants, but I don't necessarily want them to overtake the tank...for now. I'll leave it as is.
 
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