Should I Go Through The Trouble?

[Captain Retardo]

Should I go through the trouble of making a DIY co2 system? I have a 29 gallon tank which currently has a wpg of .6, but that will soon be 1.3. Right now I dose Flourish once a week, and I will soon be adding Potassium (In either KNO3 form or KCl form). The reason for all this high tech-ish stuff for such a blantantly low tech tank is because my plants just refuse to grow, and the algae overtakes them. (Well they are still growing new healthy leaves, but the old ones are all brown and dead and covered in algae)

Anyway I was just wondering If I should go through the trouble of making a DIY co2 system, and if it is really as dangerous as I read in some of the articles in the planted section of the krib ? I was also thinking of spending lots more money on the simple Hagen Co2 System just becuase all those stories about 2 liter bottle of yeasty-messy stuff exploding all over the walls has scared me!

The plants I have:

• Hygrophila Polysperma
• Water Wisteria
• Hornwort
• Java Fern

The Plants I will soon get:

• Vallisneria
• Sagittaria
• Java Moss
• Cryptocorynes
• Anubias
• Elodea
• Maybe Dwarf Hairgrass

 

[Themuleous]

At 1.3WPGH over a 20g CO2 isn't necessary, however I'm sure the plants would appreciate it. But if you really cant be bother to then no I wouldn't say you have to, just be preferable if you could

The only plant on that list which is demanding is the dwarf hairgrass all the others will do fine without CO2. I would avoid the hair grass its very tricky even in the best run tanks.

Sam

 

[Captain Retardo]

Alright, thanks for the reply. I think I'll add some Co2 if I feel like it or if the plants don't go well...I guess i wont add hair grass either, especially since I think about it now, I don't want a plant carpet becuase I have cories and Kuhli Loaches.

Can't wait to venture into planted tanks!