Gas Exchange

[dabadguyswon86]

Trying to learn more aout the gas exchange. Any tips/comments?

 

[Master Shake]

want to be a little more specific? which gas and what do you want to know about it?

 

[dabadguyswon86]

oxygen, carbon dioxide. I have the powerhead moving 2/3 of the surface water pretty well. I am going to get a smaller powerhead for the opposite side. This side gets the scum at the top. If i get an airstone which I dont want will it oxygentae the water from the bottom up.

 

[naples]

Are you running a skimmer?

 

[albano]

I have the powerhead moving 2/3 of the surface water pretty well. I am going to get a smaller powerhead for the opposite side. This side gets the scum at the top.

IMO...gas exchange is not your problem...
your signature:
55 Gallon Reef w/ Reaction 4 Stage Canister Filter
I would guess that the canister filter is not 'surface skimming' so that 'scum' has nowhere to go

 

[125reefer]

only gas exchanged in my house are the ones from the dutch oven lol

 

[Master Shake]

if its a salt tank you dont want an airstone, it will just cause major salt creep around top of tank and light

 

[dabadguyswon86]

I dont have a skimmer. I noticed the frozen brine shrimp I throw in causes a lot of the scum. The two power heads would eliminate the scum i assume.

 

[FlyTekk]

That scum your talking about, that comes from your frozen food (brine or not) is not supposed to be in your tank. You should rinse all frozen food in some of your saltwater before putting it in your tank.

Here's what i do. I thaw the frozen food in saltwater. Then i drain. May repeat. Then i drip in some selcon and garlic and let sit for 30+ minutes. Then feed. Refridg the rest.

Brine shrimp alone doesnt have the ness nutrients. So enrich it. And rinse all that other stuff out!

As for gas exchange surface agitation is good. A filter with a surface skimmer would be best.

 

[dabadguyswon86]

Thanks I have to try that with the thawing/draining. I have heard about the garlic before. Is the garlic regular cooking garlic or am I missing something lol?

 

[FlyTekk]

I use a product that has nutrients and garlic in one. But i feel selcon and regular crushed home garlic is best. From what i've learned about garlic, its tuff to get the anti biotic properties and immune system boost out of them if cooked, or modified in any way. So i doubt powdered form or bottled liquid form does anything other than make your fish love the taste.

I use fresh home garlic. Crush it as much as possible, wait 5 minutes then add to selcon and rinsed frozen food. Let all 3 sit for hald hour or so.

The funny thing is, that garlic is just another organic substance that will pollute your tank since fish wont eat it. So unless you not trying to battle some disease or have a fish that refuses to eat, for the sake of your current issue.... I wouldnt add garlic.

If you dont have a skimmer high grade carbon is a must in my humble opinion. I used Chemi pure elite.... and now im using rox from BRS. both are really good. Carbon will help with the scum on your surface.

 

[James]

I dont have a skimmer. I noticed the frozen brine shrimp I throw in causes a lot of the scum. The two power heads would eliminate the scum i assume.

This is not true, the powerheads would (possibly) eliminate you seeing the scum, it would still be in your water, just not on the surface as much. The "scum" you refer to is protein build up, best solution is to get a powerful protein skimmer. That will solve your surface scum issue.

 

[dabadguyswon86]

was going to get the skimmer sooner or later just cant afford one yet