To add CO2 or not?

[Sime]

I've been looking into CO2 for a while. My tank has just over wpg and is about 12 UK gallons. I've had a shuffle round yesterday now that my plants are established and they are doing well, have good roots and so on soI'm not too sure if CO2 is nessessary. The only complaint I have it when Vallis goes paler than when bought in the shop or a sword leaf gets yellowy brown and dies, apart from that everything seem fine.

I've been reading HERE and I'm un-decided, so i was wondering, would you recemend it even if its just on for a few hours per day or not bother?

thanks,
Simon.

 

[George Farmer]

You missed out how many WPG you have.

Personally I would use CO2 anyway - it benefits all plants even at low light levels. DIY is cheap and effective especially in smaller tanks like yours.

I would recommend the Nutrafin systems - they only cost about £15 and the supplied sachets are yeast and bi-carbonate of soda which can be bought in supermarkets. You would only need one unit in your tank and I guarantee you'll see an improvement in plant growth.

edit - CO2 may also benefit your fish as it lowers pH - most tropical fish prefer slightly acidic to neutral water. Just ensure your KH is above 2 degrees to prevent any possible pH crash (very unlikely with a yeast-based system).

 

[Sime]

ah sorry - its just over 2wpg.

i tested my tap water last night - my pH is 8.2 right out of the tap - this seems very high to me?

im still battling my nitrate - does CO2 lower this at all?

 

[Dubby]

im still battling my nitrate - does CO2 lower this at all?

No but your growing plants will

 

[Sime]

so it will - if it makes the plants grow more, it will make them eat the nitrate more.

ill have a go!