|  |  | | 
May 5th, 2009
|
| | Fish Helper
| Air pump, stones vs wands, and plants.
I've got a few questions. I just bought an air pump for my 55gal planted tank. I got it because I'm fighting off ICH so I raised the temp and the fish were all swimming at the top gasping for air. So I know I need to run it while the temp is up but should I keep running it after for the fish's happiness or not use it for the plants happiness? Is it really not good for plants? If I do use it, what is better, air stones, wands, or the little air diffusers that came with the air pump? | 
| | |
May 5th, 2009
|
| | Fish Keeper
| Dean, I JUST started reading about keeping an air pump for plants. I understand why u use it now but what do you want to get out of it for the plants? There are advatages as well as disadvatages. i think you first need to figure out what your goal is for your plants -then figure out if you want it for the plants.
Beth | |
| | |
May 5th, 2009
|
| | Fish Keeper
| The only concern I would have with the plants is getting the water too turbulent. The dissolved CO2 will fall out of the water with too much movement and the plants need the CO2 like the fish need the oxygen. Just make sure your not kicking up too much water, and I think you should be fine for a short while. | |
| | |
May 5th, 2009
|
| | Fish Helper
| The goal of my tank is to have it fairly heavily planted and fully stocked. I have a few more fish coming as soon as the ich clears up. I want to have a good balance of lots of healthy plants and healthy breathing fish. So should I take out the air pump after the ich treatment or run it for some bubbles? | |
| | |
May 5th, 2009
|
| | Fish Keeper
| I wish I could answer for you, I've only just started educating myself. I have been reading a lot of info from Tom Barr (he has an aquascaping forum as well).
P.S.=moderators, I hope that was not appropriate.
Beth | |
| | |
May 5th, 2009
|
| | Fish Helper
| what are the bennifits and disadvantages for having an air pump with plants? or can you link me to a good article on it? | |
| | |
May 5th, 2009
|
| | Fish Helper
| thanks alot for the link, good stuff. | |
| | |
May 5th, 2009
|
| | Moderator
| I found another one also not sure if it wil help or not http://www.suite101.com/blog/doug101...nted_aquariums
but at this point, the fish need air so you probably should run one..what is the temp you raised it too? was it gradual? did you ever find out why you got ich to begin with to try to fix that? I hope things get better soon so you can have your dream tank! | |
| | |
May 5th, 2009
|
| | Fish Keeper
| i would run it now and when the fish are better stop. you will not be able to maintain the CO2 in the tank for the plants with an air pump. | 
| | |
May 5th, 2009
|
| | Moderator
| Quote:
Originally Posted by coffeebean  i would run it now and when the fish are better stop. you will not be able to maintain the CO2 in the tank for the plants with an air pump. | if you dont use CO2 injections, I heard the air pumps wont hurt  | |
| | |
May 5th, 2009
|
| | Fish Helper
| the temp is around 85F. I don't know why they got ich in the first place. How can I figure that out? | |
| | |
May 5th, 2009
|
| | Fish Helper
| thanks for the article Shawnie. good stuff. | |
| | |
May 5th, 2009
|
| | Fish Master
| ich can happen for a lot of reasons and i generally (not always, but a lot of the time) attribute it to stress, either from moving, poor water quality, aggressive tankmates, that sort of thing. | |
| | |
May 5th, 2009
|
| | Moderator
| ich is like the common cold to humans...the virus is always in every tank, just some things to cause ich to show up and be active, can be overcrowded and stressed out, bad water quality( ammonia mainly), a new fish added brought it in, drop in temps or rise in temps too fast, and fighting among other fish...its stress related sickness ...you can go 83-84 with the temps for 2 weeks to kill it..so maybe lower a degree or two if they are struggling with the 85...a couple gravel vacs each week to get the ich spores out of the subtrate is a must also...add some stress coat with each partial water change..that will help them relax..and always make sure the water going back in is the same temp so it doesnt fluctuate and stress them more..i hope they heal fast~ | |
| | |
May 5th, 2009
|
| | Fish Keeper
| Quote:
Originally Posted by Shawnie if you dont use CO2 injections, I heard the air pumps wont hurt | if you dont use CO2 injection then every smidgen of CO2 in your tank is gold and you dont want to loose any. | |
| | |
May 5th, 2009
|
| | Fish Helper
| so... is the consciences is no air pump with planted tanks? | |
| | |
May 5th, 2009
|
| | Moderator
| if the fish are struggling, deffinately keep the air pump for now..as far as after, i cant help there as I dont have planted tanks other than java moss..and I think that will grow on pavement | |
| | | | |
Similar Aquarium Fish Forum Threads 
