Enough Gas Exchange?

[intarsiabox]

Originally Posted by Ryan

Yes but there has to be a break in the tension of water for the air to mix into the water. This is why airstones work so well. There are so many bubble breaking the surface of the water helping with gas exchange.

One question that hasnt been asked is what stocking levels do you have in the tank? How big is the tank?

My tank has a 30" x 20" surface area, no stocking yet as I just finished leak testing all the plumbing and am in the process of refilling with RO/DI water. The tank is about 50g and about 15g more in the sump/refugium. It sounds like I should be okay with a glass top. I have never used one before as I've always used MH but for this tank I bought a T5HO fixture so heat shouldn't be as big an issue.

[o.c.d.]

The primary change in oxygen change ,happens from photosynthesis. It is the most effective and fastest way to get O2 into the water column. Skimmer, and water movement do help but not as significant as photosynthesis. The best way to have more O2 in your system is to have longer light spans, and reverse lighting in refugiums.