Too Much Filtration?

[knashash]

Hello, I have a 55 Gallon Planted Aquarium...Im just starting out and I am trying the DIY Carbon Injection.

I have a Bio Wheel Filter and a AquaClear Filter that hang off the back, and I am also using an airstone.

My question is.....do you think I am causing too much disturbance and driving out my C02? Should I stop using the airstone? Stop using one of the filters and the airstone?

I just want to successfully grow lush beautiful plants so any advice would be appreciated.

[aquak]

If you don't get an answer here, post it on beginning freshwater or equipment sites. This site mostly gets questions about the plants themselves as far as I've seen and is less active than the beginning freshwater. But give it a chance here first so you don't get responses from all over the place that don't know about each other.

[waruss]

Get rid of the airstone. Keep the filters.

[dc20kk]

cool

[phoenixshade]

Sorry for the late reply.

Check out this thread (http://www.aquariumpros.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=917), the first that ever appeared in this forum. This covers the basics of what you'll need for lush plant growth.

As for filtration, get rid of any carbon in your filters and replace them peat granules, such as Eheim Ehfitorf (http://www.aquariumpros.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?page=APG/PROD/FMeh/HAW2512051), available here at AquariumPros. Your LFS will probably have other brands. The reason I recommend this is because carbon will remove many trace elements vital for the plants from the water. The peat will soften and acidify the water to levels where your plants can thrive. As with all filter media changes, don't change all at once, or else you will lose a significant amount of nitrifying bacteria.

To determine whether you have too much surface agitation, test your CO2 levels in the evening, before lights out. (This is when CO2 is lowest.) If it is below 15 ppm, reduce agitation at the surface by removing the airstone and decreasing your filter's flow rate (if this is adjustable) or by raising the water level in the tank so that the filter return is submerged.

May your thumb grow ever greener.

- Wil