75 gallon Planted Office Tank Journal

So I have been wondering about very small bubbles my Amazon sword gives off, usually in the later afternoon. I know people generally say plants take in co2, and give of oxygen, but I wanted to google it to make sure. The thing is, I can't tell if this steam of bubbles is from a water change, and it just settling on the leaves and then released from the tips of the leaves, or if I am actually seeing oxygen being released into the water as a byproduct of photosynthesis. Anyway, here is one of the quotes I found that sounded informed:

Link here.

Using the energy from light, the plant cells tear apart the molecules of carbon dioxide and water, CO2 and H2O...In the second step the plants recombine those seperated Carbon, Oxygen, and Hydrogen atoms into sugar. The thing is that after making the sugar there are some oxygen atoms left over and that oxygen is released .

The actual formula is 6(CO2) + 6(H2O) (+ light energy) > C6H12O6 + 6(O2). Photo synthesis takes place in cells called chloroplasts, which contain the chlorophyll, chlorophyll looks green because it reflects green light but absorbs red and blue, it is the red and blue that provides the energy...at night plants actually take in oxygen and give off CO2. That's because they are breaking down that sugar to get energy for growth and combining other elements, minerals, and chemicals for making flowers, fruit, seeds etc. Actually they are doing the same thing in daylight too, but photosynthesis is so efficient that the plant makes more sugar than it actually needs so there is an excess of oxygen.
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So, do you think I am seeing this release, or is this gas exchange not visible to the naked eye?

Anyway, it's kind of fun to watch.
 
geekpryde said:
So, do you think I am seeing this release, or is this gas exchange not visible to the naked eye?

Anyway, it's kind of fun to watch.
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do you mean "pearling"? I think it's something like excess o2 released by the plants. When you do a water change, the water is usually saturated with o2 which encourages pearling. If you look at my photo thread in my sig (PLUG! lol), I have pics of pennywort & java fern doing this. It also happens in high light co2 planted tanks, especially with "heavy breather" plants.

If I'm misunderstanding and you are already aware of pearling, disregard! :duh:
 
mes1234 said:
geek jesus, when are you going to get plants? Ive been waiting for a while lol.
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Yeah, good thing I didnt have you hold your breath. Half the people that read the planted forum would be long since dead, LOL.

I really do think the plants will be here on Tuesday, any more delays and I will have to actually get mad. Up until now, I took the trade where I get better plants, more rare plants, if I wait a little longer. Remember, I did ask for a one week delay, so really the plants will on be here 5 days late. (Should have been here on 15th, then should have been here 16th with expedited shipping, will get them on 20th, fingers crossed).

I think (and hope) the wait will be worth it. Besides reading alot, I dont have much hands on experience with plants, certainly not red or rare plants, so I left it up to my plant guy for selection and layout. I know this probably sounds lame for all you plant experts, but anything i would have done would be very unaesthetic. This way, I should get an immediate wow factor, plus be able to learn-on-the-job so to speak.

All I can say is, if the plants are friggin gorgeous, I think you guys will probably be justified in locking my thread and kicking me out. :D


:popcorn:
 
fishycat said:
do you mean "pearling"? I think it's something like excess o2 released by the plants. When you do a water change, the water is usually saturated with o2 which encourages pearling. If you look at my photo thread in my sig (PLUG! lol), I have pics of pennywort & java fern doing this. It also happens in high light co2 planted tanks, especially with "heavy breather" plants.

If I'm misunderstanding and you are already aware of pearling, disregard! :duh:
Click to expand...


I looked at your photos. I definately have that (pearling) on my leaves, but what I talking about here, and seeing in the late afternoons, is much, much smaller bubbles, that actually "stream" off the very tips of leaves, and looks like a tiny bunch of clear ants marching in orderly file to the surface. I will try to get a photo, but I doubt it will come through.
 
geekpryde said:
I looked at your photos. I definately have that (pearling) on my leaves, but what I talking about here, and seeing in the late afternoons, is much, much smaller bubbles, that actually "stream" off the very tips of leaves, and looks like a tiny bunch of clear ants marching in orderly file to the surface. I will try to get a photo, but I doubt it will come through.
Click to expand...

that actually happened with the anubias nana in my 10g. Freaked me out a bit (so not a heavy breather plant) but it only happened once. Missed photo op. My java fern will hold o2 and stream sometimes, too.
 
my advice is to cut the roots down if there long. Cut them short, they will make new ones. Ive noticed if I cut the roots down, the plants growth takes off after like 3 days of cutting.
 
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