What Is The Most Plants You Can Have Until Co2 Becomes A Necessity?

[VidVid]

Hey...I have some low light glowers that do well in a o.6w/g (i.e 20 watt in a 30 gallon tank)... Since i got an amzon sword and thinking of getting other medium light plants, i have now increased my lighting to 50 watt, 1.6 w/g (adding an extra 30 watt in correspondence to my 20 watt light)... I am considering in Co2 but not to a desirable and necessary extent (since my lighting is under 2 watts per gallon)...
So my question is, how many plants can you keep safely in a 1.6 watt per gallon aquarium (to be planted) UNTIL Co2 really becomes a necessity???
Thanks in advance...

 

[Themuleous]

The 'need' for CO2 isn't determined by the number of plants, its related to the lighting level. We only say you 'need' CO2 at over 2WPG as in general with that much light, the plants require extra CO2 to be able to utilize the extra light and out compete the algae. So you could fill a tank with plants and still not 'need' CO2 if you've got lower light levels.

Sam

 

[VidVid]

OK Thanks...So since my lighting is only goin to be 1.6 watts per gallon, then i could just plant and dose with ferts and they should be fine???
I always thought the more plants you have, the more Co2 each plants will consume, therefore getting a Co2 system will be a necessity if im planning on getting a lot of plants for a planted aquarium, will it not???....
Anyways thanks again for your responses

 

[Themuleous]

Well that would be right in high light tanks, but as this is lower light, its not such an issue. But dont get me wrong, CO2 addition will benefit most tanks, so if you're able to, then I would always advocate adding some.

Sam