Enough Oxygen??

J

js04crew

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Feb 1, 2006
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Recently set up a planted 75g tank. I have approx. 15 plants. variety of swords, anubias, kyoto, etc. Is there going to be enough oxygen for the fish. I do not have C02 but I do put in flourish excel. I have 3 rainbows and 2 plecos in the tank for now.

Should I put a couple small airstones in there?
 
What kind of lighting do you have on the tank? What are you using to filter this tank? Normally with a tank that size co2 injection is recomended but that depends on the lighting that you have set up for it. Airstones are not needed in a planted aquarium if the filter is capable of filtering this tank to it's capacity. It should provide all the oxygen that is needed for this set up. Remember that the plants will also provide oxygen for the tank too. Also in a planted tank you only want miminal water movement at the surface of the water. Otherwise the co2 gets gassed off too fast and the plants will not be able to use it.

Marinemom
 
I have 4x28 watt T-5 bulbs in 2 separate fixtures. 1.5 WPG. 2 fluval 305 filters with minimal surface movement. Thanks
 
At 1.5 watts of light per gallon then co2 is usually not needed. If you have enough low light plants then you should not see much algae either. Of course if you are not using co2 injection then I would definetly use Florish Excel ( a liquid form of co2) and Florish to dose for micro nutrients that the plants will need to thrive and to keep the algae at bay.

Marinemom
 
Yes I am already using both flourish and flourish excel. Is there an optimal time when flourish excel should be added? Morning or evening? I also just ordered some more flourish stuff. I am just a little worried that the plants will not provide enough o2 for the fish? Should I see air bubbles from the leaves? I've heard that you will see bubbles when there is an excess of o2 being produced. Thanks
 
Typically you'll only see the bubbles (called pearling) if you are injecting CO2 and have higher light.

As long as your filter creates some surface agitation (no bubbles, just a rippling), you should be fine. If you're that concerned, you can run an air pump/stone at night after the lights are out. I do this in my 10 gallon and have seen no detrimental effect on the plants, but for some reason I have seen a great reduction in hair algae.

I'd add the Excel in the morning, no later than within an hour or two of the lights coming on. Before lights on is fine also.
 
Thanks. I have rippling in the surface. Just a bit as I have the output for the filters about 4 inches under the water line. Maybe I will raise them up a little bit. I don't want to add an airstone if I don't have to because of the added noise of the pump. Thanks again for the response.
 
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