Powerhead vs. Bubble Wall

[that Fish Guy]

I currenly have a Bubble Wall in my 29 Gallon Tank and am Trying to Grow Plants in them but they always Rot away.

People have mentioned that CO2 Machines are the least important of the Upgrades I need.

1. Lightning
2. Fertilizer
3. Substrate
4. Then CO2 Last

I thought Power Heads were only for Salt Water Tanks. But One Person Posted this a picture of his Tank with a Power Head.

Please see the Attachment if the Picture does not show in this Post.

I also read somewhere that Fish give CO2 so you don't need a CO2 machine. Is this True. I mean I know they breathe in Oxygen and Give Off CO2 but do they Give off enough to support Plant Life?

Someone also said that the Power Head Aggitates the Water to bring in CO2 for the Plants.

Wouldn't the Bubble Wall do this too? I thought the Bubble Wall was just for Oxygen but does it help with CO2 as Well?

My Question is do I keep the Bubble Wall or Get a Power Head.

Which is better for a Planted Tank?

Thanks,
Steve

 

[Star_Rider]

powerheads add water movement. a bubble wall is not needed in an aquarium.
btw, adding CO2 is beneficial to the plants regardless of lighting. but it is essential in tanks with lots of light and plants.
in these cases ferts are needed.
in a low maint tank you really only need light and the correct mix of plants.

 

[sorberj]

There are several questions here.
Generally, bubble walls are only for aesthetic purposes and some people claim that the excess bubbles can cause stress for the fish since they sense a lot of their environment using their lateral lines and a bubble wall can feel like a large school of fish swimming upward constantly (sort of like being in a loud room with a lot of people all of the time). I don't have an opinion on that particular factor but I figured I'd bring it up in the interest of fair disclosure.

You will actually have a higher CO2 concentration in your tank if you go with a powerhead since it will provide less air exchange than the bubble-wall. In general you actually want a higher CO2 level in the water than you would experience in the athmosphere, thus you actually want to reduce some of the agitation. A power head only brings CO2 into the system if your CO2 levels are below athmospheric or if you hook it up to a CO2 system (either DIY or pressurized).

If you're just getting started in plants, I wouldn't worry about CO2 just yet.
The other big question is what type of filtration are you using right now? If you're using a cannister filter, then I wouldn't worry about adding a powerhead. The surface agitation from the canister filter should be enough. The same with a hang-on back biowheel type.