Enough O2 for fish?

adblair

adblair

Fisher
Dec 5, 2003
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Memphis, TN
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OK.... I have searched all the old posts and found a lot of interesting information on having plants in your tank with your fish, but now I have a question that I couldn't find the answer to....so here it is...
I have read that for plants to do well you should have as little surface agitation as possible. I have a HOB filter that DOES agitate the surface, BUT I can turn it down very low and increase my water level to a point where it will still filter my tank just fine but will have lots less surface agitation. My question is if I do this, will my fish still get enough oxygen? How much agitation is necessary for adequate O2 with plants in my tank? They will give off some O2 themselves won't they? I do not have a bubble stone or wand or any other source of agitation.
Thanks!
 
where on earth did you hear that little surface agitation does well for plants? total rubbish (unless you have a CO2 system).

let the surface get disturbed as much as you can without creating waves, a strong ripple is what i recommned.

the plants will give off O2, so don't worry about it during the day, and during night, the surface agitiation should help keep O2 levels up.
 
Actually, excess agitation can do harm on your plants...for example, if you have an airstone, they arent recommended in planted tanks. If you dont mind some heavy reading, here is a great article on Co2 & Aquatic Plants:

Co2 & Plants

If you'd like something a little less hard to comprehend, go to:

Aquatic Plants & Co2

HTH
 
You can have minimum surface agitation without causing a problem. It does depend on how many plants you have--for a few plants (less than 2-3 per gallon), it won't really matter. I have AC300's on my planted tanks, with powerheads for internal current, and you can always see the surface moving. My plants are doing fine, as are my fish.
 
Ok.... I think I am good then. I like my HOB turned on low, at least I think I like it :D So if the general consensus is that my fish will be fine, then I will leave it alone. The aquarium plants and CO2 site was great! Lots of easy to understand info.... I admit that I didn't attempt the other one yet. I may check into it as well after we get back from vacation, but today we have to finish packing! Thanks for the help!
 
first question

I didn't ever see if you are adding CO2 to this tank or not -- if you do not have CO2 added, then lots of surface aggitation is good, for it will bring the tank CO2 levels up to ambient air levels (~5 ppm) which is a great help for the plants have probably used up all the CO2 inthe tank otherwise and are CO2 limited.

If you do have CO2 added, surface aggitation is not good for that will drive Co2 levels down to ambient air levels, losing most of what you are adding.
 
No I don't have CO2.

We are currently in NW Tennessee - probably not too far from Branson. We are headed to North Carolina (Wilkesboro/Boone area). Did I see correctly that you are in MI? I used to live in Monroe many, many years ago. I remember that it was cold and the wind off Lake Erie was REALLY cold and we used to dig tunnels in the snow in the winter. We never have that much snow here. Sometimes I miss it. It would be fun for the kids. :)
 
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