When 2 Consider Co2 System For Plants?

[ACQUAUOMO]

[font="Georgia"]Greetings:

I havoc a large number of plants in my 30 gal tank and am wondering when to begin adding Co2. I have been reading a great deal on the Co2 Systems for gassing the water... but, have found little to nothing about what point one should consider supplementing the tank with Co2. And, I'm not one to wait until the plants look very Ill before I initiate Damage Control. Is this only to be used if one has a Jungle like plant system working throughout the tank? I'm considering a 55 gal tank this Summer that will also be filled with plants... so I may need to think this over more carefully especially if I have two tanks to feed. What do you Folks Think?

Ciao,

Don
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[Lolly123]

There are many experienced plant people on here which will be able to advise you. But from asking my own questions, i've learnt that they need to know a few more details, such as; What lighting are you using, what plants do you have/want, are you going to use a specific plant substrate, will you dose with ferts, what type of flow do you have etc

Ive just started a 55G planted. At the moment, i've got some java moss, java fern, anubias and some dwarf sag. I'm using TPN+ and flourish excel as a carbon source. Im hoping i'll be able to get decent growth by balancing my light, nutrients and co2 without going down the pressurised route. But as its just got up and running we'll see.

I guess it all depends what you want, how much work you want to dedicate to your planted in terms of maintenance and what your budget is. Im sure once you have an idea in your head of what you would like to achieve then some one who has far more knowledge will come along and guide you in the right direction.

 

[ACQUAUOMO]

There are many experienced plant people on here which will be able to advise you. But from asking my own questions, i've learnt that they need to know a few more details, such as; What lighting are you using, what plants do you have/want, are you going to use a specific plant substrate, will you dose with ferts, what type of flow do you have etc

Ive just started a 55G planted. At the moment, i've got some java moss, java fern, anubias and some dwarf sag. I'm using TPN+ and flourish excel as a carbon source. Im hoping i'll be able to get decent growth by balancing my light, nutrients and co2 without going down the pressurised route. But as its just got up and running we'll see.

I guess it all depends what you want, how much work you want to dedicate to your planted in terms of maintenance and what your budget is. Im sure once you have an idea in your head of what you would like to achieve then some one who has far more knowledge will come along and guide you in the right direction.

Well! as Murphy's Law dictates... One question always leads to more than one answer and many more questions. I know I have much to learn but did not realize that this subject had such a check-off list. I was looking in more general terms not Scientific Specifics. Being an Engineer I deal with Scientific Specifics daily but, was as one would say "Fishing for and Answer" without much bait. I believe I must go back to the drawing board. Thanks for your reply and information... I will keep digging.

Don

 

[SuperColey1]

I havoc a large number of plants in my 30 gal tank and am wondering when to begin adding Co2. I have been reading a great deal on the Co2 Systems for gassing the water... but, have found little to nothing about what point one should consider supplementing the tank with Co2. And, I'm not one to wait until the plants look very Ill before I initiate Damage Control.

You're thinking the wrong way about CO2.

Plants need CO2 whether healthy or not however there is always some natural CO2 within the tank. There is some coming in at the water's surface just as Oxygen comes in via gaseous exchange.

There is some (but minimal and not worth accounting for) from fish respiration.

There is some from natural processes of decay, like dead leaves and fish waste etc.

And the substrate may also produce some.

You shouldn't ever think about CO2 injection as 'damage control'.


So onto CO2. Injection is a user preference at certain lighting levels. Even low light may choose to use it whereas high light users will HAVE to use it.

CO2 is actually the source of carbon so it should be though of as a nutrient just as the fertilisers are.

So is your choice whether to use it or not. You may want a non CO2 setup with low maintenance rather than CO2 addition and high maintenance.

It is never damage control. If your plants are suffering then it may be your light is too high in which case you MUST add CO2 or reduce the lighting. However in most cases it will be something else and adding CO2 or not ading CO2 will not make any difference. It is not a miracle cure. It is a means to an end.

CO2 is a piece of the jigsaw and is always there or the jigsaw has a piece missing. The question is whether there is enough to suply the demand. If there is then there is the option of wanting to complete the jigsaw much quicker.

You will find some articles on the net r.e. CO2 injection for plants however it is one of those subjects where the other 99% are garbage written by people who don't understand it properly. Many of these think you HAVE to add a carbon source for plants whereas the reality is that you don't have to do anything at all. Other parameters can be altered not just CO2.

Regards
AC

 

[Lolly123]

There are many experienced plant people on here which will be able to advise you. But from asking my own questions, i've learnt that they need to know a few more details, such as; What lighting are you using, what plants do you have/want, are you going to use a specific plant substrate, will you dose with ferts, what type of flow do you have etc

Ive just started a 55G planted. At the moment, i've got some java moss, java fern, anubias and some dwarf sag. I'm using TPN+ and flourish excel as a carbon source. Im hoping i'll be able to get decent growth by balancing my light, nutrients and co2 without going down the pressurised route. But as its just got up and running we'll see.

I guess it all depends what you want, how much work you want to dedicate to your planted in terms of maintenance and what your budget is. Im sure once you have an idea in your head of what you would like to achieve then some one who has far more knowledge will come along and guide you in the right direction.

Well! as Murphy's Law dictates... One question always leads to more than one answer and many more questions. I know I have much to learn but did not realize that this subject had such a check-off list. I was looking in more general terms not Scientific Specifics. Being an Engineer I deal with Scientific Specifics daily but, was as one would say "Fishing for and Answer" without much bait. I believe I must go back to the drawing board. Thanks for your reply and information... I will keep digging.

Don

Didnt mean to scare you off, after all i'm a beginner in planted too and once you get your head around the basics you should be fine

However, i've seen some planted tanks on here that are very low tech and are absolutely beautiful. I think it's all about creating a balance between certain factors as mentioned in the replies here.

I dont think it has to be as complicated as it first seems.

 

[ACQUAUOMO]

There are many experienced plant people on here which will be able to advise you. But from asking my own questions, i've learnt that they need to know a few more details, such as; What lighting are you using, what plants do you have/want, are you going to use a specific plant substrate, will you dose with ferts, what type of flow do you have etc

Ive just started a 55G planted. At the moment, i've got some java moss, java fern, anubias and some dwarf sag. I'm using TPN+ and flourish excel as a carbon source. Im hoping i'll be able to get decent growth by balancing my light, nutrients and co2 without going down the pressurised route. But as its just got up and running we'll see.

I guess it all depends what you want, how much work you want to dedicate to your planted in terms of maintenance and what your budget is. Im sure once you have an idea in your head of what you would like to achieve then some one who has far more knowledge will come along and guide you in the right direction.

Well! as Murphy's Law dictates... One question always leads to more than one answer and many more questions. I know I have much to learn but did not realize that this subject had such a check-off list. I was looking in more general terms not Scientific Specifics. Being an Engineer I deal with Scientific Specifics daily but, was as one would say "Fishing for and Answer" without much bait. I believe I must go back to the drawing board. Thanks for your reply and information... I will keep digging.

Don

Didnt mean to scare you off, after all i'm a beginner in planted too and once you get your head around the basics you should be fine

However, i've seen some planted tanks on here that are very low tech and are absolutely beautiful. I think it's all about creating a balance between certain factors as mentioned in the replies here.

I dont think it has to be as complicated as it first seems.

Oh! I'm not scared off... those days were 40 years ago back in the early 70's in S.E.A. Actually; I enjoy technical stuff, and building a Co2 system would be right up my alley. Many might say I do not need it but, that would dash my desire to build my own system and see the results. I'm sorta like this when I get into a hobby of which I have 5 others. I usual do not go the entry level route, I usually begin somewhere past 1/3. I do a great deal of research before making any purchase and I was as I put it early... "Fishing for Information". I appreciate your reply and know that one question always leads to another. I will continue to moving on this and look forward to inputs like yours any time.

Ciao,

Don

 

[SuperColey1]

Can you change your font to normal (arial or courier or whatever it is.) Whilst yours looks nice it is harder to read and the majority of us are scanning many threads on many forums quickly and moving on. You may get a few more answers then

With the planted tank and CO2 I would not suggest trying to jump 1/3rd in.

Far too many people do that.

To explain this hobby is not like many hobbies. You can jump 1/3rd in with the equipment as that is just pieces and setup etc however that jump can mean it is harder to learn the actual hobby i.e. the plants, their growth, their maintenance.

What I mean by that is CO2 will speed up the growth of plants 10-20x. That in turn brings about other aspects of the hobby involving understanding nutrient dosing, understanding flow, understanding light, its usage and its effects.

And the biggie is that algae is the opponent with the planted tank. It is almost inevitable for everyone new to the hobby. Some never beat it.

With CO2 just as the plants growth will speed up 10-20x so will the algae. Its then very hard to beat it.

Much better is to stay at the low tec end of things whilst learning this aspect and learning to beat it at the slower speed than to try to beat it at the faster speed. You need to get to the Ferrari level before you can take another Ferrari on in a race. You will never beat the Ferrari in a Fiat.

Once you have that understanding, knowledge and confidence then choose to jump up with lighting, CO2, fertilisation increases etc.

AC

 

[ACQUAUOMO]

Can you change your font to normal (arial or courier or whatever it is.) Whilst yours looks nice it is harder to read and the majority of us are scanning many threads on many forums quickly and moving on. You may get a few more answers then

With the planted tank and CO2 I would not suggest trying to jump 1/3rd in.

Far too many people do that.

To explain this hobby is not like many hobbies. You can jump 1/3rd in with the equipment as that is just pieces and setup etc however that jump can mean it is harder to learn the actual hobby i.e. the plants, their growth, their maintenance.

What I mean by that is CO2 will speed up the growth of plants 10-20x. That in turn brings about other aspects of the hobby involving understanding nutrient dosing, understanding flow, understanding light, its usage and its effects.

And the biggie is that algae is the opponent with the planted tank. It is almost inevitable for everyone new to the hobby. Some never beat it.

With CO2 just as the plants growth will speed up 10-20x so will the algae. Its then very hard to beat it.

Much better is to stay at the low tec end of things whilst learning this aspect and learning to beat it at the slower speed than to try to beat it at the faster speed. You need to get to the Ferrari level before you can take another Ferrari on in a race. You will never beat the Ferrari in a Fiat.

Once you have that understanding, knowledge and confidence then choose to jump up with lighting, CO2, fertilisation increases etc.




AC

Sorry for the slant on the text and the speed I already own a Ferrari so I don't need to look at racing one. Thanks for your comments I will take them into consideration. I expect I will get around to this project sometime in the future, the fact that I post doesn't imply that I'm in a big hurry I trust it did not seem that way. That's only when I'm on HWY 80 E. between Reno and Elko then things go by extremely fast.

TNX AGN

Don

 

[SuperColey1]

Lol

No its good you are researching prior to the setup. I didn't assume you a were in a hurry.

The text is nothing major just means I (I assume others too) have to focus a little more to read it Not good while I'm playing poker

The advice on CO2 is more a case of making sure you (and others) understand that CO2 is vital for plants but injection is not. injection like ferts only need to be added if the demand is there for it.

It can be added even if it isn't needed and the plants will respond to it. adding CO2 will increase plant demand without having to increase lighting which of course other nutrients then need to be increased too.

Light will drive the speed of growth but CO2 addition allows the plant to use light better so even if you keep the same light the addition of CO2 speeds things up.

Many people think light is the biggy which is wrong. Light dictates the speed. nutrients (including CO2) facilitate that speed.

The majority (including many well known experienced folks) think you just bang high levels of light on the top add CO2 and ferts and that is why they can grow plants others can't. Leads lots of people new to the hobby to follow their lead and go highlight, and then be dismayed at their algae farm.

Its a full circle kind of process where if one part of the circle is altered the rest has to be as well.

AC