Adding Co2 Enriched Water

[daved]

I am starting a plant only setup (no fish) to grow plants for my fishy tank.
I was wondering If I got a sodastream and took some water from the planted tank carbonated it and put it back say once or twice a week would this do the same job as diffusing CO2 into the water. Or am I missing something really important.

Please give your thoughts
Cheers in advance Dave

 

[Colin_T]

Plants need a steady supply of CO2 when they have light, but they need oxygen when it is dark. By providing CO2 once or twice a week you would be starving them of an essential element required for their growth. Personally I consider Iron fertiliser and light to be more important. Quite often there is sufficient CO2 in the water and air to keep the plants happy. If there are lots of plants then supplemental CO2 should be used.

 

[Dave Spencer]

I am starting a plant only setup (no fish) to grow plants for my fishy tank.
I was wondering If I got a sodastream and took some water from the planted tank carbonated it and put it back say once or twice a week would this do the same job as diffusing CO2 into the water. Or am I missing something really important.

Please give your thoughts
Cheers in advance Dave

Takashi Amano tried these in the early days.

The important thing you are missing is that CO2 needs to be stable. I run my tanks at a constant(ish) 30ppm throughout the photoperiod. This also keeps it as a non limiting nutrient to plant growth. Once CO2 levels become erratic, or too low, you could start to get BBA or staghorn algae.

If there are lots of plants then supplemental CO2 should be used.

It is the light levels that will be driving plant growth and, therefore, the necessity for CO2. Iron is an essential micro nutrient, but I wouldn`t put it above CO2 injection in importance. Adding CO2 can give plant growth at X 10 increased rate with the right light levels.

Dave.