Newbie plant question

[Jonesy]

Just wondering if bubble wands or UG filters put too much o2 into the tank. I'm using excel but by having the airpump running does it makes this useless???

Thanks everyone

[thegrandpoohbah]

In a planted tank I wouldn't use a bubble wand or anything else that would agitate the surface. This would drive the CO2 out of the water which you don't want to do. The exception would be if you were using a DIY CO2 set up in which case you would use an airstone at night. This is because you wouldn't be able to shut off the CO2 at night and also because plants use oxygen and release CO2 at night.

[Jonesy]

Now that i've taken out all aeration, is there anything else that i can do to improve the health of my plants?? They look fairly healthy, no dead leaves, nice solid green color...do i continue to use excel?? and at what quantities??I have a 25g tank, mediem planted with low light plants ie: swords, java ferns etc....Thanks for the help GP!!!

[blainep]

Hey Jonesy

Are you using CO2, if you are - take out your bubbler, if you are not using CO2 - leave it in.

If you are using CO2, the agitation of the water will allow your CO2 escape.
If you are not using CO2, then agitation will allow CO2 levels to replenish in your tank the same way O2 levels do.

I had the same question on another forum, the answer I got back was way more technical, but that is the condensed version.

[thegrandpoohbah]

From the sounds of it, you are doing pretty well. I would consider DIY CO2 rather than dosing Flourish Excel because it would be more economical over the long run. Also, sword plants require a good substrate as they take in nutrients through their roots. If you are using regular gravel you can insert fertilizer tabs into the gravel around the sword. Java ferns are hardy and do not really require any special care.

[Jonesy]

thanks for your help everyone!! I do remember when i first got a few plants roughly six months ago, i also got some fert tabs that the guy at the LFS said to put into the roots when planted. So i know what they are and how to use them, only question left, is how often??
So based on my new wealth of information;), when will my plants really take off. I'm ok with the waiting game, just curious when i will really notice a differnce in growth.

[thegrandpoohbah]

The root tabs should have instructions with it. You usually just add new ones every few months. Be careful you don't stir it up with a gravel vacuum after you put them in the gravel or it will make a big mess!

As for plants taking off, you would need to have high light (>2WPG of PC or T5 lighting) and CO2. Those are generally the biggest limiting factors for plant growth in an aquarium.