Diy Co2

[ladygunn3r]

In my fish tank i have 2 airstones through a air pump, and i did have live plants but they kept on drying on me. Know i have heard you can have Co2 in your tank to help the plants, i am going to make my own with sugar and yeast in a empty juice bottle, i just need to know do i have to keep the airstones going in my tank through a air pump.

 

[@ombomb]

an air stone will increase surface agitation which helps remove CO2 from the water, so would work against you

adding CO2 is generally something which will help improve plant growth rather than stop them dying, a much more likely issue is lighting

what are the dimensions of the tank?

what lighting do you have? (type, output (W), colour temp (K))

what plants are you trying to grow?

 

[ladygunn3r]

an air stone will increase surface agitation which helps remove CO2 from the water, so would work against you

adding CO2 is generally something which will help improve plant growth rather than stop them dying, a much more likely issue is lighting

what are the dimensions of the tank?

what lighting do you have? (type, output (W), colour temp (K))

what plants are you trying to grow?

Dimensions of the tank are 40"L x 16"D x 20"H
Lighthing type 2x Arcadia Original Tropical Lamp 30W 36"



I don't know what type of plants yet, i have just bought Neon Tetra fish with a couple of guppies and with other type of Tetra fish in it, i just wanted to put in a few plants for them, i just have plastic plants at the moment.

 

[@ombomb]

then yes, lack of light is your biggest thing to worry about, particularly as bulbs that generally come with lighting units are often outside the spectrum that plants require

with the level of lighting you currently have, there is no point considering CO2, you either need to upgrade the lights or pick plants that are particularly happy in low lighting

 

[ladygunn3r]

then yes, lack of light is your biggest thing to worry about, particularly as bulbs that generally come with lighting units are often outside the spectrum that plants require

with the level of lighting you currently have, there is no point considering CO2, you either need to upgrade the lights or pick plants that are particularly happy in low lighting

I have just bought these lights about 1 month ago, replaced the ones that i got with the tank they were broke, what do you think i should get is it because it is a big tank.

Would these be better

2 X 24W T5 Aquarium Tropical Plant Growth Light Bulbs

 

[ian]

I will just add, when/if you decide to get some plants, they will grow under nearly any light, plants are very adaptable to lighting. Also the K rating of a bulb is nothing more than an ascetic thing for our own eyes. The colour of a bulb will certainly not stop any plant from growing. The sales blub on a 'plant growing' bulb will state otherwise, but the planted community now know that you can buy a normal tube or CF and grow a plant.

 

[ladygunn3r]

I will just add, when/if you decide to get some plants, they will grow under nearly any light, plants are very adaptable to lighting. Also the K rating of a bulb is nothing more than an ascetic thing for our own eyes. The colour of a bulb will certainly not stop any plant from growing. The sales blub on a 'plant growing' bulb will state otherwise, but the planted community now know that you can buy a normal tube or CF and grow a plant.

So these lights are fine is that what you saying

 

[ian]

yes they will grow plants, however there are other things you'll need to take into account. The plants will need feeding as well. If you have any other queries regarding this then go over to the planted section, theres loads of experienced people in there that will help you out.