Question of the Day Do you run an airstone? How important is oxygen in a planted aquarium?

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So this may be a bit controversial but, hey, that makes for fun discussions.

Way back in the day, I'm talking Dupla days, the use of wet/dry filters was common. These filters were very good at oxygenating the water. There was also a German hobbyist, the name escapes me, that wrote books on the importance of high oxygen levels in planted aquariums. And, of course, we know that our fish and any living form in the aquarium that requires oxygen to live, would not want a low oxygen environment.

When it comes to a planted aquarium, I think most believe that the plants, through photosynthesis, will provide enough oxygen for the tank's inhabitants. Heck, we call it pearling when O2 levels get to supersaturation during the high light period, don't we?

So, why would anyone run an airstone in a planted aquarium?

Well, I began running an airstone 24/7 for about 5 minutes every hour. I copied my friend @GreggZ. My tank did better.

To me, I felt it made sure that overnight, O2 wouldn't drop to low levels. It helped with gas exchange at the water surface. The CO2 that may be lost was really not an issue as I am supplementing it during the critical periods.

What do you think? Do you run an airstone or not? What's your thought process?
 
Art said:
Well, I began running an airstone 24/7 for about 5 minutes every hour. I copied my friend @GreggZ. My tank did better.
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Yep I have been doing that for years. I am running it now for 10 minutes every hour, and then for an hour after lights go off.

In addition I have always have good constant surface agitation which also creates oxygen.

Most people think the actual bubbles from aeration inject oxygen. It doesn't. It's when the bubbles hit the surface and break the surface tension that oxygen is created.

In a planted tank you want both high levels of CO2 and O2. They are not mutually exclusive.
 
Yep, I am one of those air stone guys. Actually have 2 air stones of different sizes in the 75g tank.
little air stone runs a fair amount of the time. Big air stone runs about 5 minutes each hour that CO2 runs (after the initial 2 hour co2 buildup time)

FWIW, I also find that using an air stone helps with minimizing the protein film that can build up on the surface of a tank.
 
I am using Hang on back filters so I don't think I have any problems with the amount of Oxygen in the water, the surface agitation is good using those filters, even in heavily planted tanks I didn't face any issues nether with the plants nor with the fish

Recently I started using air stones but mainly for aesthetics, I ran them when the lights are on, and yes this doesn't make sense since during this period the plants are producing Oxygen already - that's why I am using them for aesthetics

For the coming hight tech tank things might be different, probably will need to consider timing the air stone as you mentioned, this will probably need a Wifi App controlled timer and not the mechanical ones I am using 🤔
 
I use a wavemaker power head to agitate the surface. It does blow the fish around and tend to uproot some newly planted plants. Ill try the airstone method. I have always been under the impression that airstones and CO2 is a big no no.
 
RazzVegas said:
I have always been under the impression that airstones and CO2 is a big no no.
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That's one of the many myths about the hobby that gets repeated over and over.

You want good O2 levels in a planted tank, but that is little understood by most.
 
GreggZ said:
That's one of the many myths about the hobby that gets repeated over and over.

You want good O2 levels in a planted tank, but that is little understood by most.
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Howdy Gregg,

I'm looking to purchase an air pump actually. Just thought to ask what type do you have? And does it operate reasonably quiet?

I've looked online, and there are so many brands claiming to be noiseless and suitable for larger tanks.

Just thought to ask you.

My tank is 120cm x 60cm x 60cm.
 
Hey Joel I use a Tetra Whisper AP 150. It's a beast. It drives two long air stones placed at the back of the tank and creates powerful bubble streams. This one really is suitable for larger tanks.

I've had it for about 8 years now and never an issue.

Tetra Whisper AP 150
 
RazzVegas said:
I use a wavemaker power head to agitate the surface. It does blow the fish around and tend to uproot some newly planted plants. Ill try the airstone method. I have always been under the impression that airstones and CO2 is a big no no.
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Hey Razz, what wavemaker do you have?

The air stone CO2 think is a very common myth. It applies in some low tech circumstances, IMO.
 
GreggZ said:
Hey Joel I use a Tetra Whisper AP 150. It's a beast. It drives two long air stones placed at the back of the tank and creates powerful bubble streams. This one really is suitable for larger tanks.

I've had it for about 8 years now and never an issue.

Tetra Whisper AP 150
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Thanks Gregg,

I saw the Tetra Whisper AP 150 when looking around online. I've ordered one just now!.

Cheers..
 
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