Plants vs oxygenation

[Morm]

Okay, so my set up has 4 paddle tail newts and the water is basically covered in hyacinth floating plants. I put in 3 baby goldfish to help with providing nitrates- they are doing very well. We just had some baby goldfish laying around, I didn't expect them to live but if they do more power to 'em. There is also a unionid clam and bamboo shrimp to help remove particulates. I may put in a snail if algae starts to piss me off.

It's a 25 gallon, so there is plenty of room for everyone. I am adding more plants, this time it's an underwater weed. This will provide hiding places and more oxygen.

I'm wondering, with all this plant action and a filter that works as a 3 inch waterfall, should I worry about extra oxygenation for his set up?

 

[JWERNER]

Not at all. Why would you be worried about more oxygen?

 

[Nathan]

If the waterfall provides good disturbance, then you should be OK. Be aware that floating plants such as water hyacinth do not oxygenate the water- they do their gas exchange directly with the atmosphere. They may inhibit oxygenation if they cover too much of the water surface, so keep them thinned out.

Also keep an eye on the goldfish. They will eventually outgrow the tank, may pester the newts, and will chew on your plants.

 

[Morm]

Actually the goldfish have been slaughtered tonight by one of the newts (not the others) but it triggered a feeding frenzy so I removed the other smallish one.

More free Oxygen in the tank proper means more oxygen exchange with the water, I'd think, plus they work as the land part and provide a safe haven for the shrimp/juvi newt, they are better thick I would think.

I'm worried about oxygen as these guys like high oxygen streams. I just fuss about little details though.

 

[JWERNER]

Its not that they desire more oxygen its that they desire more current which usually brings in more oxygen. They breath at the surface so you have no worries about oxygen.

That being said a tank with lots of floating plants might not be so ideal cause the floating plants desire the opposite and that's standing to slow moving water.

I would also be worried about that shrimp if they took on a gold fish and watch that clam. Newts like to poke at things and nosy around and I heard someone before claiming his newt got messed up pretty bad when the clam quickly closed its shell.

Plus they are filter feeders and need a substrate rich with foods. I never heard of one making it in the aquarium to long before starving unless the tank was being fed with the clam specifically in mind.

 

[Azhael]

Do not worry about too much oxygen. Being stream dwellers they are designed to take advantage of high oxygen concentrations (fast moving and very cold water are very high in oxygen indeed). The more oxygen, the more time they will spend underwater without gulping air, since it will be enough with the oxygen they take through their skins.

I´m not so sure a 25 gallon tank is enough for 4 Pachytriton. It may proof to be too small if their territories are not sufficient. Keep a close eye on them....4 Pachytriton together are a time bomb. I would make sure to at the very least have LOTS of visual barriers and several hiding places.

 

[Morm]

This species of unionid clam doesn't really open its shell enough to to worry about.

Actually, the two largest and the smallest get along great. The two big ones are constantly cuddling, one is a male and I'm pretty sure the other is a female. The only odd man out is the one that I think isn't fully mature.

They seem to like the plants, they spend lots of time hanging off the roots. Visual barriers I wouldn't think would help, since they communicate via pherimone and they are constantly fanning (especially the big male). I'm keeping an eye on things, it's pretty calm now. They are very well fed, so it's not as if they will be hungry.

The goldfish are out. The shrimp has lasted almost 6 months with the one newt, though it has only 2 of its walking legs. It's not such a big deal for him though, he gets around and eats.