Question about what co2 means?

[finsNfur]

I don't have anything for my poor fish in my two tanks but the filter and pump. I am wondering if I am depriving them of oxygen. (or that that CO2 stuff, lol) That is what has prompted me to ask what everyone is talking about, I'm wondering if I'm doing something wrong. Should I add air stones?

 

[DrNo]

Let's clear something up right now. Airstones are used by aquarists to increase the amount of oxygen in the water. There is carbon dioxide in atmospheric air (obviously), but an airstone will not increase the concentration of CO2 in the tank water.

In order to increase CO2 levels in the tank, you can either inject pressurized gas from a cyclinder or you can use a simple DIY kit using the fermentation of yeast to bubble CO2 into the tank. The CO2 gas will need to be "diffused" into the water using a "diffuser". Please read the sticky thread about DIY CO2 injection for more details.

BUT TREAD CAREFULLY.... excess CO2 levels in a tank can lead to death of your fish via asphyxiation. Please read thoroughly and ask more questions here before proceeding.

 

[DrNo]

I don't have anything for my poor fish in my two tanks but the filter and pump. I am wondering if I am depriving them of oxygen. (or that that CO2 stuff, lol) That is what has prompted me to ask what everyone is talking about, I'm wondering if I'm doing something wrong. Should I add air stones?

The only reason to inject CO2 into a tank is to help plant growth. Your fish should have an airstone to increase levels of oxygen in the tank water. What kind of filter do you have? If it disturbs the surface of the water (like a biowheel) you probably don't need an airstone. If the surface of the water in the tank is calm, "like glass" you have nothing to lose by putting in an airstone. Again, the CO2 injection is ONLY for those looking to increase the growth of their plants.

 

[finsNfur]

The water is not as smooth as glass in my 14 gallon tank, but it's pretty calm all the same. Sometimes I do notice the fish go up to the surface in that tank. However, the water in my 10 gallon tank is more rippled, and the fish never rise to the surface of that tank. So thank you, I think you have answered my question on that matter, it looks like I should put an airstone in the 14g tank. But I only have a few low-light plants, so I going to steer clear of CO2 injection.

Thanks everyone for explaining this to me.

 

[Star_Rider]

FYI, gas exchange normally occurs at the surface...CO2 is added via a diffusor or reactor. the diffuser usually works by keeping bubbles of CO2 in contact with the water longer to allow more time for CO2 to be 'absorbed' by the water or breaks the co2 up nto finer bubbles (increasing the surface area of the CO2 to allow more absorption)

a reactor works by mixing water with CO2 to increase the level of CO2.

you do not usually need CO2 unless you have lots of light and lots of plants. however, most plants will benefit with the addition of CO2.
remember that plants normally use CO2 during the day (photoperiod) giving off O2 as a by product and use O2 at night.

airstones have been used to help diffuse CO2.

 

[lucy42083]

I am pretty sure it means oxygen

:shakehead:

 

[jpappy789]

I am pretty sure it means oxygen

I hope you were joking...:shakehead:

I believe you can have an expensive co2 system or you could have a couple airstones right?

Airstones provide more surface agitation for gas exchange, mainly oxygen. They wont provide Co2.

And not all systems are expensive. DIY Co2 works well for smaller tanks.

FYI, gas exchange normally occurs at the surface...CO2 is added via a diffusor or reactor. the diffuser usually works by keeping bubbles of CO2 in contact with the water longer to allow more time for CO2 to be 'absorbed' by the water or breaks the co2 up nto finer bubbles (increasing the surface area of the CO2 to allow more absorption)

a reactor works by mixing water with CO2 to increase the level of CO2.

you do not usually need CO2 unless you have lots of light and lots of plants. however, most plants will benefit with the addition of CO2.
remember that plants normally use CO2 during the day (photoperiod) giving off O2 as a by product and use O2 at night.

airstones have been used to help diffuse CO2.

:iagree:

 

[Squawkbert]

The water is not as smooth as glass in my 14 gallon tank, but it's pretty calm all the same. Sometimes I do notice the fish go up to the surface in that tank. However, the water in my 10 gallon tank is more rippled, and the fish never rise to the surface of that tank. So thank you, I think you have answered my question on that matter, it looks like I should put an airstone in the 14g tank. But I only have a few low-light plants, so I going to steer clear of CO2 injection.

Do make sure you have adequate surface agitation in a planted tank w/o CO2 addition as your plants can consume what little CO2 is present and the water go below the ~3ppm CO2 that is typical in home aquaria. But, as said above - if you aren't adding lots of light and/or ferts, you probably don't need CO2 for a lightly planted, low light tank. Adding CO2 would not benefit your fish, having adequate surface agitation (airstone, HOB filter, power head - anything to make ripples) is beneficial to fish.

 

[Star_Rider]

"Airstones provide more surface agitation for gas exchange, mainly oxygen. They wont provide Co2."

that all depends.. if you are pushing CO2 thru the airstones.. you'll be adding CO2

and if you are not injecting CO2 and have plants ..the added circulation will help gas exchange...all gasses..so if your plants are depleting CO2 adding an airstone wouldn't hurt CO2 gas exchange at the surface...you just won't be adding ore than what is present in the air..(very low number)

 

[jpappy789]

"Airstones provide more surface agitation for gas exchange, mainly oxygen. They wont provide Co2."

that all depends.. if you are pushing CO2 thru the airstones.. you'll be adding CO2

and if you are not injecting CO2 and have plants ..the added circulation will help gas exchange...all gasses..so if your plants are depleting CO2 adding an airstone wouldn't hurt CO2 gas exchange at the surface...you just won't be adding ore than what is present in the air..(very low number)

LOL good point...most people don't however