CO2 or not for planted tanks?

Subject: CO2 or not for planted tanks? Wed Mar 12, 2008 12:31 am

There seems to be a bit of a difference in opinion as to whether you need co2 for growing plants. There's no question that co2 produces much more plant growth than not and that it's easier to grow plants requiring more light with co2, but I've seen examples of incredible planted tanks with obvious growth of high light demanding plants such as www.nobobo.com without the use of co2. Suspect

I personally think many highly rated tanks are too overgrown, the plants are so thick that you can't even see half way into most of the tank, and the plants don't allow enough room for larger fish and schools of smaller fish I prefer to showcase in my planted aquascapes.
Suspect

I don't mind watching my plants grow at the rate they do, which is plenty fast in my opinion. Java moss grows exceptionally quickly covering much of the wood I have in my tanks and I wouldn't want my Amazon sword to grow any faster than it does now. I even have many of my plants flower, though most of my plants are lower light requiring such as anubias, Java fern and moss. I'm not opposed to using co2, I'm only a little concerned that I will have to get a lot more involved with tweaking the nutrients/fertilisers and managing algae growth than I so-far usually do if I decide to use co2.
What's your preference? Suspect

Subject: Re: CO2 or not for planted tanks? Wed Mar 12, 2008 4:23 pm

I use CO2 in my 29 gallon tank, all the plants are low to medium light. I use the Natural plant System made by hagen, it basicly a bottle with a tube and a diffuser. I found that my plants grew better with it, but I'm sure they would be fine with out it they would just not grow as well. If others are growing planted tanks that nice with out it I would just set the tank up and see how it goes, you may find that it's growing just the way you like it. With all those fish producing CO2 you may have all you need
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Subject: Re: CO2 or not for planted tanks? Wed Mar 12, 2008 5:37 pm

How much did you pay for your system, how long does one bottle last, and is it easy to use?

Subject: Re: CO2 or not for planted tanks? Wed Mar 12, 2008 6:22 pm

I payed $30.00Can. and the bottle lasts a month, they sell the premixed packages of yeast and activator(bake soda), but you can mix your own instead. The bottle is marked so that you know how much sugar to use then add 1/4 to 1/2 tsp of brewer's yeast or even bakers yeast and 1/8 to 1/4 tsp of baking soda and add the water. This will last 4 to 6 weeks and is cheaper than buying premix stuff they sell. You can purchase just the diffuser also and use it with a DIY set up.
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