Air bubbles and lighting.

[Deshawn00]

Just started my nitrogen cycle in my 20 gallon long aio. Are air bubbles normal? You can kinda see them in this picture. Also I was given this light by a coworker. It has different settings of pure white light, blue light, and a mix of both at different intensities. As a beginner who just wants few lps, softies, and fish would this light work?

 

[Michael Hughes]

Congrats on getting started!

Air bubbles aren't unusual when first filling a tank. If you want you can run your hand along the glass on the inside to "unstick" them from the glass; otherwise they'll eventually go away on their own.

The light depends. Do you know what brand and model it is?

 

[Deshawn00]

Congrats on getting started!

Air bubbles aren't unusual when first filling a tank. If you want you can run your hand along the glass on the inside to "unstick" them from the glass; otherwise they'll eventually go away on their own.

The light depends. Do you know what brand and model it is?

I believe it’s this.

 

[Michael Hughes]

How deep is your tank (i.e. surface to sandbed)?

 

[Michael Hughes]

I haven't personally used that light but if the production description is accurate, it looks like it puts out plenty of PAR for your size tank. I imagine it would grow softies and LPS just fine.

One thing I would recommend is getting a decent powerhead (if you haven't already) to add some good random flow if you intend to keep corals later. You don't have to add it yet, but it would really help with your corals. I have a 14 gallon frag tank and really like the Jebao SOW-4 on its random mode.

 

[Subsea]

Your light is more than enough. Know this about all lighting including LED. White includes all spectrum including BLUE.

Personally, I don’t like the WINDEX look. It washes out too many other colors for my taste.

Yes to more circulation. Gas exchange is very important and most of that will happen at the surface where water & air interface. The water on the surface should ripple with movement.

 

[Freenow54]

Is it really air bubbles ?

 

[paulde1934]

Just started my nitrogen cycle in my 20 gallon long aio. Are air bubbles normal? You can kinda see them in this picture. Also I was given this light by a coworker. It has different settings of pure white light, blue light, and a mix of both at different intensities. As a beginner who just wants few lps, softies, and fish would this light work?

Yes i believe so. I had the same issues.

 

[Deshawn00]

Your light is more than enough. Know this about all lighting including LED. White includes all spectrum including BLUE.

Personally, I don’t like the WINDEX look. It washes out too many other colors for my taste.

Yes to more circulation. Gas exchange is very important and most of that will happen at the surface where water & air interface. The water on the surface should ripple with movement.

Thank you! Some stores told me I need to get the AI blade but I don’t have $220 to just spend right now lol.

 

[Deshawn00]

I haven't personally used that light but if the production description is accurate, it looks like it puts out plenty of PAR for your size tank. I imagine it would grow softies and LPS just fine.

One thing I would recommend is getting a decent powerhead (if you haven't already) to add some good random flow if you intend to keep corals later. You don't have to add it yet, but it would really help with your corals. I have a 14 gallon frag tank and really like the Jebao SOW-4 on its random mode.

Thank you! Ofc I knew that the light would be strongest at the top of the aqua scape but some corals need medium to low light so I was thinking I can put them in the corners of the tank

 

[Deshawn00]

Is it really air bubbles ?

Yes. I researched and it’s mainly because it’s a new tank and the bacteria film hasn’t formed on the glass yet

 

[Freenow54]

Thank you! Ofc I knew that the light would be strongest at the top of the aqua scape but some corals need medium to low light so I was thinking I can put them in the corners of the tank

I would not count on placing new coral in the corners without checking PAR , but you do only have a 30 so maybe. Mushrooms for sure. My three

light on my 40

 

[SantaMonica Verified Sponsor]

Nice thing with softies is you can play around a bit with the light and not hurt things too much.