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Originally Posted by Octoman  As CO2 levels increase in a tank, the pH decreases (because of an increase in Carbonic Acid). This can be a result of inadequate aeration - there are several ways to solve this. 1. - Most of us have skimmers which provide plenty of aeration. 2. - Direct powerheads at the surface of the tank to create agitation and more air exchange at the surface. 3. - install an airstone (like you did) in the tank or sump.
However, in many cases high CO2 in the tank is a result of high ambient CO2 in the home. Houses are sealed up tight these days to save energy and CO2 can be very high indoors. If this is the case, no amount of aeration will help unless the air comes from outside the home. Some people have installed home air exchange units to help with indoor CO2 levels (high levels are not so good for you either...).
As far as gas bubble goes, the LFS is wrong. I have dealt with gas bubble disease in fish before, to create this condition, you need a strong pump that is sucking air and water in order to over-oxygenate the water. The pump drives the oxygen into the water at levels that are excessive, but in the case of an air stone or bubbler, this isn't going to happen. Even a needle-wheel skimmer is not powerful enough to create this condition, otherwise a lot of us would be in trouble. |
Ditto to the above post!
With that said, the airwand is not hurting anything and is only helping. If you do not mind the saltcreep it creates (as the bubbles pop at the surface) keep it. I like the look of cascading bubbles.
When I had a large bioload with all my fishes in the hospital tank for 8-10weeks...twice, I used a large airstone to aid in gas exchange (absorbs o2 and blows out co2).
Bubble wands are also used when rearing fish larvae for the same reasons.