GIfishguy

I do not use CO2 in my tank and was wandering what people thought about using the bubbler. I've been told both ways. Some people say the the bubbler will keep CO2 infused from the atmosphere, some say it removes existing CO2 from the tank. Currently I do not run a bubbler and both my fish and plant do fine.

Afyounie

Whats a bubbler? Is that like an air stone or something?

cs_gardener

I do not use an airstone in most of my tanks, but I do run one at night in 2 of my tanks that have limited water circulation/movement and rather heavy fish loads. Oh, there's the shrimp tank with sponge filter, does that count as using one? If so that would be one full time, 2 night time, and 4 tanks without. I'm not seeing that option in the poll.

gibmaker

Are we talking about water pipes or what? LOL

GIfishguy

I mean an air stone....just looking for some thoughts on this. I stoped using mine and my friend said that I should keep it running. I know that you don't use one if you are using CO2 because it drives the CO2 out of your tank, but what if you are not using CO2?

Nelumbo74

yes, use an airstone at night. depending on the planting density, the plants can pull most of the oxygen out of the water at night.

GIfishguy

good point, would it make a differance if I left it on all the time?

Nelumbo74

There is no need to leave it running all the time, because the plants will oxygenate while the lights are on. Leaving it running all the time will just deplete what little CO2 you have in the tank naturally.

Zapins

It's usually not a problem. I'd advise against using an airstone at all. Fish don't suffocate in the night even with plants pulling air out the water.

The air stone will only add an unnecessary element to the tank, not to mention the added cost of getting a timer and the air pump itself.

Air stones are also messy, when bubbles pop at the surface they spray water all over the lid (and floor if the lid isn't tight), over time a bubbler clouds up the glass in the cover and reduces the light intensity.

Nelumbo74

Zapins, your statement is scientifically inaccurate. If you have a heavily planted tank, as well as a significant fish population, fish can suffocate during the night if all the oxygen is depleted by the plants. Also, studies have shown that the airstone benefits your plants as well, by giving them added O2 at night while they are actually taking in O2, and releasing CO2.

The fish most affected by the loss of O2 are bottom dwellers that cannot bolt to the surface or float at the surface gasping for air. I have many species of darter, which due to their underdeveloped swim bladder, cannot hang out at the surface when necessary. I had an air pump malfunction recently and lost several darters, while the other fish gulped at the surface, and survived.