BettaBettas said:
So I know many planted aquariums have Co2 in them, like with the big Co2 tanks and bubbler things. i was wondering, since i have a 75g planted (will be soon) how to set a Co2 "Thing" up. honestly idk what there even called lol *such a noob* but i do hear there expensive? like when i go on google and look at the prices its like, $200-$300 which is a bit out of me price range, but i can save up. any advice will be very very appreciated as I've been looking into this for a while.
You may or may not need additional CO2, so the first question is, just what sort of planted tank do you intend? If you want an aquatic garden with all sorts of fancy aquatic plants, some of these will have high nutrient/light requirements, and once you get into intense lighting and daily fertilization, the CO2 will need increasing; this is termed high-tech, and for many planted tanks there are few or no fish as the emphasis is mainly if not solely on the plants. At the opposite end of the scale is low-tech or natural, where the plant species will be less fussy and light will be less intense, so the natural CO2 produced in the aquarium can be sufficient. If fish are intended, you are better with the low-tech approach, so something closer to this end of the scale.
There is considerable CO2 occurring from the respiration of bacteria, plants and fish, but far more occurs from the breakdown of organics in the substrate. I have thriving planted tanks, and I have never used any form of CO2. But this is what I want...tanks of fish that happen to have healthy plants growing in them.
Most planted tank enthusiasts will recommend diffused CO2, not DIY, for various reasons. One being risks. And on adding CO2 by any means, remember that this is elevating the biological system to a higher level, and the more you interfere with the natural order in an aquarium, the more risk follows.
Byron.
