Airstone in planted tank

[Crackerballer]

Help with my 40 gallon

I have a 40 gallon planted tank, with 2 java ferns (quite large) and another plant that I am not sure what it is and a huge piece of driftwood with what looks like beard algea all over it. I just got the tank this Saturday from a guy, and have no experience with planted tanks. To me, the Java ferns do not look that healthy. There are some leaves I am going to prune off, and some that are a little brown/black around the edges.

I have an airstone in the tank, is that hurting my C02 content? I can take it out. Right now I am waiting on my Big Als' order to come in with me Eheim canister, and I have to VERY small HOBs on it (aquaclear mini and a Top fin 20) I just got fish today, 5 rosy barbs, 2 common gold fish (feeder fish, 29 cent) and a rubbernose pleco. I want to keep all the fish and plants healthy. Should I take out the airstone, prune the dead looking laaves off the ferns (they are almost the size of a basketball each) or what?

ANY guidance will be appreciated.

 

[Kasakato]

You need to cycle your tank! Go to the newbies forum and read the stick at the top. You also need to return them all to do a proper cycle and stock your tank the right way. The airstone you are using is driving out c02. It would be a good idea to take it out.

 

[Crackerballer]

I bought the tank already set up, it was drained only for about 4 hours, and then refilled with water. I ran all the parameters a day after setting it up, EVERYTHING is at 0, ammonia, nitrate, nitrate, pH is about 7.4. I am gonna post up a ton of pictures soon. The tank is over a year and a half old, as are the plants in it.

 

[Crackerballer]

here are tons of pics

 

[RTR]

The lance-shaped foliage is not Java Fern, it is an Amazon Swordplant.

The smaller foliage growing from a rizome with roots extending down to substrate looks like an Anubias, probably A. nana.

An airstone is generally not a good idea in a planted tank.

 

[Crackerballer]

Thanks RTR, I took the stone out, and the Rosy Barbs have ate some of the algea, along with the pleco.

 

[happychem]

Although unless you're supplementing CO2, and airstone is probably not going to make much difference. The added circulation may be helpful too, although I wouldn't imagine too much.

 

[ergo sum]

Take the gold fish back to the fish store, they are only going to cause problems in the long run. When you get the canister filter run it with the HOB filters for a few weeks. Don't add anything else until you get the filter running. If you really have to buy something buy some more plants. What kind of lighting do you have?
The algae might be Java moss but I can not tell from the picture. Trim the dead and dying leaves.

 

[Crackerballer]

I have a huge 110 watt lighting strip on top that i run for 12 hours a day, from 11:15-11:15. I am going to try and trim some leaves today.