does the BUBBLE WAND have to go?

[ryanmr]

Hello all. I'm changing my tank over to a planted tank and want to know if I need to get rid of my bubble wand. =( I bought a bubble diffuser (for c02 injection) and plan to do the rest of the C02 set-up DIY-style. If I'm understanding the situation correctly, surface agitation is bad for planted tanks and my beloved bubble wand creates plenty of surface agitation. In addition, I've got 2-HOB filters that also create more agitation. I try to keep my water level topped-off to minimize this. Can I get some floating plants to help with this?? I was thinking that might be a possible solution. I really dig my bubble wand (cool-looking visually) and my fish seem to love swimming in the bubbles! Does it have to go?

 

[spunjin]

Run it at night when you turn the CO2 off.

 

[The Zigman]

With 2 HOBs and a bubble wand, you would gas off alot of your Co2..

 

[Jag1980]

2 HOB filter and a bubble wand you will gas off all your Co2, even with 1 HOB you will probably gas off most all your Co2.
Floating plants will do nothing to minimize this.

 

[shawnhu]

If you do the CO2 right, you won't need the bubble wand to have air bubbles in your tank, the plants will pearl so much that the entire tank will be a huge bubble wand.

 

[joestyx]

i turn my HOB filters on at night and leave them off during the day....your plants will only use the co2 in the daytime so that's the only time you will want no surface agitation

 

[Jag1980]

You need the light to go with the Co2 to get that kind of results..

When I flip the other switch to my lights I get 6.6wpg and every plant in the tank will pearl. I also get huge marble sized bubbles coming up from the substrate when this is happening too.
I had a bright yellow on the drop checker, so I figured I would flick on the other light for a couple hours
Bubbles shown here with 6.6 wpg: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqLpHF1P2dU If you Right click and download it, the quality is very good(need Realplayer). Youtube degrades the quality about 80% so it's hard to see..

 

[ryanmr]

This might be a dumb question, but what exactly is 'pearling'? I'm assuming the plants give off large oxygen bubbles? Do I need a canister filter? would that be more appropriate for a planted tank?

 

[AshK]

What size tank and lighting are you going with? What plants do you want to grow?

 

[ryanmr]

I have 65watts over a 26 gal....I would like to have anubias, some java fern, java moss maybe. I'll certainly listen to all suggestions. I have hard water as well.