To bubble or Not to Bubble?

Pasfur

I have always felt that the best test kits I own are the 2 eyes attached to my head. After all, we judge success based on the works of art we create. I don't need a test kit to tell me my fish are thriving and to confirm that I have recreated this success dozens of times using the same techniques. At some point, years of experience is MORE important than lab studies and test results.

It is wise to be cautious of change, until change has been tested by time. It was not long ago that plenum systems were "proven" to do a large number of things in marine reef applications. The greatest names in the hobby supported the ideas. Until the systems crashed and problems became apparent, some several years after the systems were set up. I seem to remember Strontium supplementation also being necessary as confirmed by scientific studies, until further studies found Strontium to be toxic. It also seems that Nitrite readings in marine systems are still highly utilized, despite the fact that Nitrite is not toxic at a pH over 7.4.

There are a great many things in this hobby that evolve, you are exactly correct. This is the reason that we need to rely on the personal experiences of those who have consistently duplicated success over long periods. These are the people we need to look towards and ask HOW they have duplicated these results. I feel that Byron is himself a good reference, and is somebody that probably deserves a bit more credit as an authority on the subject being discussed.

abunari

Thank you everyone for your knowledge and information. I see the logic on having less agitation in an aquarium to prevent loss of co2. Starting my first planted aquarium will take a bit of trial and error i suppose but thanks to everyonbe here at least i have a base to start with.