I heard air stones can displace CO2

dereks

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Mar 7, 2006
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I heard air stones can displace CO2 and make it difficult to grow plans, any truth to that?

If i wanted to add one could it be a good idea to put it on a timer?

3 gallon with hardy plants like java fern, moss and moneywort.

Thanks!20260224_205143.jpg
 
Yes, it can/will.

Might not be a problem if you aren't injecting CO2 artificially, or if you have a high fish load.

But it will .

Sure you need an air stone? If you really need or want to add one, I'm not sure there's a good reason to have it in a timer, maybe just have it run at night when the plants are repairing but that kind of loses the visual appeal .
 
Yes, it can/will.

Sure you need an air stone? If you really need or want to add one, I'm not sure there's a good reason to have it in a timer, maybe just have it run at night when the plants are repairing but that kind of loses the visual appeal .
Thanks! And yea, you guessed it (more for visual appeal). And the white noise hum. I realize not everyone likes how they look. I like them in certain setups though. Not all. But i like the nano / betta tank air stones.
 
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In a 3 gallon with low tech plants like that you’re fine. An airstone can off gas a bit of CO 2 but in a non injected setup it’s not going to make or break plant growth. Java fern and moss don’t need much anyway. If you want extra surface agitation you can run itand putting it on a timer at night is totally reasonable since plants aren’t using CO 2 in the dark. Honestly with a small tank like that your filter flow is probably enough on its own
 
In a 3 gallon with low tech plants like that you’re fine. An airstone can off gas a bit of CO 2 but in a non injected setup it’s not going to make or break plant growth. Java fern and moss don’t need much anyway. If you want extra surface agitation you can run itand putting it on a timer at night is totally reasonable since plants aren’t using CO 2 in the dark. Honestly with a small tank like that your filter flow is probably enough on its own

Yea? I noticed that filter hardly has any flow at all. Hoping the light will be enough for the plants. The tank was advertised as a plant tank/light. So I hope.
 
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