More On Co2, Or The Lack Of It

[ShinySideUp]

I have spent the last week investigating the vagaries of adding co2 to ones tank to promote plant growth. I have looked at diy co2 generators, consumer disposable, commercial refillable, all the variations in between. I have investigated the effect on plants of extra co2, the vagaries of light intensity, the difference required between lit and unlit tanks (day and night) and the relative intensity of said light, the price difference and what you get for your money when it comes to co2 systems (and there are some real pricey outfits out there) and the cost of replacing consumables -- all to keep a few cheap plants from turning yellow! I had even turned all my filter outlets away from the surface of the water so that less gas exchange was carried out as a method of increasing co2 in the tanks.

What I didn't do is look into the requirements of the fish and how co2's protagonist oxygen is so much more important. I read THIS article and realised I couldn't see the wood for the trees. After reading the article I determined that my priorities were all wrong and that the greatest benefit to a fish tank is oxygen not carbon dioxide.

As a result I have returned to surface agitation, I have put my airstones and pump back in the tanks and while I feed my plants with nutrients they will have to deal with any co2 deficiency and if they don't like it they will get replaced ('cos it's far cheaper to replace dodgy plants than to run a co2 system).

My fish are the important bit and they need good old oxygen and from now one, that's what they will get; oh, and it's cheap.

 

[Aquamaniac]

Well when you add co2 you're for a ride of problems. Its a whole new game and much more variables to take into account. And money to spend.
You can look at some low techs around here.
You'll see that great planted tanks don't require co2 or alot of hassle,with the right plants.

 

[ShinySideUp]

Well when you add co2 you're for a ride of problems. Its a whole new game and much more variables to take into account. And money to spend.
You can look at some low techs around here.
You'll see that great planted tanks don't require co2 or alot of hassle,with the right plants.

Yes, my sentiments exactly. I shall tailor my plant selection to match the co2 that's available naturally, there is no point risking the health of my fish for a bit of vegetation.

 

[Dazzler666]

Hmm, interesting post as I was considering getting a DIY CO2 set up for when I put plants in my 5 footer that's coming shortly but after looking at this don't think j will bother in a honesty so thanks, just saved me another job!! .
Although, any uses what plants are hardy & easy to keep? I noticed numerous plant selections on e-bay which seemed reasonably priced though I can't recall the plant names which I suppose is no help whatsoever!! Lol.
Again, useful post!!

 

[Aquamaniac]

Www.tropica.com
on the plant section there is section called easy plants check it out.

 

[tomtomtom1230]

I started adding liquid CO2 and honest to god my plants just soaked up the ferts which cost me a bomb (I'm a uni student with a relatively small budget before student loans and overdraft to consider ) - they did fine with just good ol' surface agitation which is what I'm doing now. I reverted back, they actually look a #40## site healthier now than they did with liquid stuff anyway. Perhaps I was doing something wrong and missed something whilst I did my homework on the topic but it saves me an extra £5-10 per week and the plants look good so its a no-brainer

aquaessentials.co.uk is a brilliant company, a little pricier than I'd like but well worth it and I've never had an issue with them. Their delivey service is top notch, too.

 

[ian]

just to add, it's not whether the plants need C02 or not...they all need C02. Its down to the light we provide them to the amount of C02 needed. I have seen anubias and java ferns in high light tanks that need pressuried C02. So, it's not down to the plant, it's down to how much light you have over the tank.

If the light is low enough, you can grow almost anything and i mean anything.

red plants under low light

certain red plants do good in low light, certain plants remain red. Like these...

see here, the Alternanthera reineckii mini, grown under 2 t8's

Aponogeton Crispus red, under 1.4 WPG

Alternanthera sessilis grown under 1.3 wpg

Ludwigia peruensis in very low light, i can't remember how much, but it was in a nano i had.