Question About Betta's Breathing.

[keimak]

Here's a foolish yet a question I need answered.
I know that betta breathes air, so does it mean it can live in high CO2 waters?
Its for the plants, I want it to grow green and fast

 

[Duz]

Yes you are right they can live in high CO[sub]2[/sub] waters. However, its best not to maintain these high levels as the fish can eventually suffer, it will need to keep using its gills and therefore it will have to breath in some CO[sub]2[/sub] (although this won't be much depending on your CO[sub]2[/sub] levels).

If you are going to grow plants, you still don't need that much CO[sub]2[/sub]. There will be other factors which will limit their growth rate. The main 4 are:

• Light
• CO[sub]2[/sub]
• Minerals in the water
• Temperature

If you pump in loads of CO[sub]2[/sub] it just means 1 of the other factors will become the limiting factor and slow plant growth. Saying that if CO[sub]2[/sub] is your limiting factor then it would be good to use some as it will increase growth rate. Personally I wouldn't put loads of CO[sub]2[/sub] in, but just enough to make something else the limiting factor (which is normally light). Answering your question yes bettas can suvive in those sort of conditions for a while, just don't maintain them for too long. Hope that can help you.

 

[keimak]

Thanks buddy for the info
By the way any way to add in minerals for plants without chemicals? O:

 

[Duz]

Not really, no. The only way to add minerals is to add different chemicals. Saying that, CO[sub]2[/sub] or light are normally the main limiting factors but I have been told flourish excel is very good as it adds all the different phosphates and nitrates which plants need. If I was you, I would check out the plant section on the forum for more ideas, they can tell you the best amount of CO[sub]2[/sub] to use and how to apply it. Hope you plants and fish do well