Co2?

[Joemuz]

When i read the threads on planted tanks i often come accross the phrase 'Co2' (which i belive is carbon dioxide).
I have noticed that people have Co2 systems set up next to there tanks, is this essential for a planted tank or can you just plant the plants and let time do the rest of the work? (obviously using ferts ). This is probably a post that makes not much sense at all but i'm confused? Thanks, Joemuz

 

[wei0204]

I am new in planted tank too, but my understanding on this is, by having supplement of CO2, lighting and fertilizer will get the plants to go through the process of photosynthesis in making their own food, in order to survive.

By not supplying CO2, it might not able to grow healthily and rapidly.

Just what I think...

 

[nero]

Hi Joemuz,
yes, Co2 is Carbon Dioxide. We breathe air and extract the oxygen, and produce co2, which we breathe out, right? well, plants do a similar thing, but they breathe co2 and breath out oxygen. So you can increase the growth of your plants by ensuring that there is plenty of co2 to them "breathe". But this is not all that simple, and by no means neccasary. My old tank grew some plants pretty well with just light and ferts and time. Try checking out some of the pinned topics at the top of this forum!

 

[Underwurlde]

Carbon ( C) is the basic building block for all living things on the planet - plants manufacture this from CO2.

No CO2 = No Carbon = no growth.

Andy

 

[lljdma06]

Carbon ( C) is the basic building block for all living things on the planet - plants manufacture this from CO2.

No CO2 = No Carbon = no growth.

Andy

Doesn't light figure into this as well?

Whether or not you have a CO2 system in your tank depends on your lighting levels and the size of the tank. In tanks over, say 15-20g, you should consider a CO2 system if you have more than 2WPG (Watt per US gallon, a general guideline). You will still even get benefits by running CO2 with tanks with a lot less light. I run CO2 in my tanks with 1.86WPG and 1.4WPG, and I can get growth from plants that would otherwise need more light and more nutrients. If your tank is smaller, it takes more light to get the equivalent lighting levels that would require CO2 injection. For example, I've got an 8g with 3WPG, but I don't have enough light to get the full benefits of injecting CO2 and if I do inject, my plants don't have enough light to efficiently use it, so I would end up outgassing my CO2. As a result, I don't use it in that tank and let ferts, bioload, and natural gas exchange do its job. Also, I've got a 2.5g with like 5WPG or something ridiculous like that, and again, no CO2. In tanks over, I think 50-75g, you need less light to achieve the same lighting levels that would require CO2 injection in tanks between 15-50g, so I would advise adding CO2 to most larger tanks. Light, CO2, fertilisers in various levels and combinations can result in excellent plant growth.

That being said, you don't need to be a rocket scientist to inject CO2. The two most common types of CO2 injection I've seen here are systems that in which CO2 is produced and injected via a fermentation process and pressurized systems where ready made pressurized CO2 gas is injected. I have never used pressurized CO2, though I have heard and witnessed wonderful things, but CO2 injection based on fermentation is an effective method, especially for beginners and the budget conscience. Have a look at the Nutrafin pinned topic, that should clear up the fermentation-based CO2 injection. There are other pinned topics on CO2, lighting, and fertilisers as well.

llj

 

[Underwurlde]

Sorry, I did not mean the use of CO2 systems, rather I meant NO CO2 whatsoever, none, zip, naddah, 0.00000000ppm in the water.....

 

[Themuleous]

0.00000000ppm in the water.....

 

[Joemuz]

I have a 54L tank and have an air bubble system, will that give any co2 out?
How do all these Co2 system things work and how do you use them?
How much do they cost? Thanks, Joemuz

 

[crazie.eddie]

In addition, when the lights are out, plants cannot use CO2, therefore, use O2.

Plants tanks that do not use CO2 and typically have lighting levels at less than 2 WPG (watts per gallon) are commonly known as low tech tanks. I have 2 low tech planted tanks and the plants are thriving well. They do grow, but slowly. The tanks are very easy to maintain, since I don't have to worry about fertilizers, CO2, constant trimming, etc. I let the water changes, decaying food, fish/shrimp waste provide the proper nutrients for the plants.

 

[Joemuz]

In addition, when the lights are out, plants cannot use CO2, therefore, use O2.

Plants tanks that do not use CO2 and typically have lighting levels at less than 2 WPG (watts per gallon) are commonly known as low tech tanks. I have 2 low tech planted tanks and the plants are thriving well. They do grow, but slowly. The tanks are very easy to maintain, since I don't have to worry about fertilizers, CO2, constant trimming, etc. I let the water changes, decaying food, fish/shrimp waste provide the proper nutrients for the plants.

Thanks a lot crazy eddie. I am still trying to get the jist of Co2 but im slowly getting there.
I think i will have to get a Co2 system for my bigger tank when i get it. But how do they work and how much are they?
Thanks, Joemuz

 

[SuperColey1]

Plants tanks that do not use CO2 and typically have lighting levels at less than 2 WPG (watts per gallon) are commonly known as low tech tanks. I have 2 low tech planted tanks and the plants are thriving well. They do grow, but slowly. The tanks are very easy to maintain, since I don't have to worry about fertilizers, CO2, constant trimming, etc. I let the water changes, decaying food, fish/shrimp waste provide the proper nutrients for the plants.

Sorry to hijack your thread Joe

By this do you mean that with my 29G tank (26G water level), overstocked fishwise, 60-70% substrate planted (with Tetra Complete underneath the playsand) and with 36W lights that I need no CO2, No Ferts and that the light, fish and food will supply all I need for a healthy planted with no algae tank?

 

[Underwurlde]

CO2 is a gas (as you know).

You can get CO2 gas bottled under pressure. A special valve is attached to the bottle which can be controlled using a mains timer, sets the amount of CO2 released. For visual feedback for the amount of CO2 released, people use what is called a bubble counter - it is a very accurate, simple and visual way of 'seeing' how much CO2 is being released from the bottle. To then get this CO2 into the water, many techniques can be used, for a pressured system an in-line Venturi Reactor is the most effective.

These systems tend to be expensive, £60+ for the bottle another £100+ for all the other bit and bobs. With CO2 iot is important to target a consistent steady level of CO2 in the tank. This is easy to do with this kind of system. Of course there is more cost involved when the bottle need refilling.

A cheap alternative to bottled CO2 is to use a reactor kit that relys on fermenting yeast to produce CO2 - every week the yeast / sugar / water mix has to be recharged, but the cost is minimal. Such systems cost about £20. or indeed are easy to DIY. The disadvantage of such systems is that there is little control over the amount and stability of the CO2 produced (also I have noticed that yeast produced CO2 tends to create a snotty kind of buid up around the outlets, but this is easily remedied). To get the CO2 into the water, these kits come with bubble ladders that make thhe rising CO2 bubbles take a convoluted path to the surface, thus taking more time. Diffusers can also be used as indeed modded versions of Venturi Reactors.

BTW: O2 Air stones should NOT be used if attempting to inject CO2 into the tank: Due to a 'Chemical Reaction', the surface agitation caused actually dispells a lot of CO2.

Hope that hepls somewhat,

Andy

 

[Joemuz]

Thanks andy. Will an air pump release Co2 into the tank on its own?

 

[nero]

hiya joemuz,

no, a normal airpump will actually reduce co2 levels in your aquarium. the surface agitation caused actually serves to help drive off co2 from the tank.

 

[Sammie7]

That is only true if you are injecting CO2. Surface agitation increases gas exchage. Molecules like CO2 and O2 move across the water/air barrier to reach equilibrium. For example, if there is a higher concentraton of CO2 in the air above the tank, because the CO2 in the water has been used up by plants, the CO2 will drive itself into the water. The CO2 will continue to go into the water, until the levels of CO2 in the air and water are equal. This is also applicable to O2 or if there is a higher concentration of CO2 in the water rather than the air. That is why CO2 injected tanks shouldn't have a lot of surface agitation, because it drives off the CO2, making it useless. Understand?