Debunked: CO2-Myth --- See tanks without carbon dioxide fertilization

[VOYTEK]

These planted tanks look good but they also look like they are running without CO2. When you can grow plants like these w/o CO2 then you can say that CO2 is some kind of big myth, and dont even try getting anything more than imaginary red without CO2. Carbon dioxide is still the limiting factor for many aquatic plants, and you simply can't get results like these without it.

CO2 is NOT A MYTH this thread is a little funny / definitely needs to be titled a bit better. You will NEVER get the growth WITH THE "supersonic" speed without using CO2 or alternative like fluorish excel. Can you grow nice, lush plants without CO2 - YES, will they grow MUCH SLOWER - YES, will you have PROBLEMS with the more demanding species - MOST LIKELY YES =]

All we need now is to someone to set up 2 "identical" tanks. Same substrate, same light etc etc - one with CO2 injection and one without ... I'm 100% sure that after 2-3weeks, seeing both tanks will make you realize whether co2 is a myth or not

 

[HarleyK]

Howdy,

All we need now is to someone to set up 2 "identical" tanks. Same substrate, same light etc etc - one with CO2 injection and one without ... I'm 100% sure that after 2-3weeks, seeing both tanks will make you realize whether co2 is a myth or not

You do that

There may or may not be a difference, depending on set-up, additives, and plant species. But I am just as sure as you are that at the end of the 2-3 weeks you'll have two planted tanks. And that's the point I am making here, and that numerous members have made over the course of this thread: You can have a fine planted tank without CO2!

Please post pics
HarleyK

 

[JDub7771]

Well for my first post, i'll enter my 2 cents. I agree with the op. I've been keeping HEAVILY planted tanks for a few years now. I have a 120gal, 45high, 20 gal long all planted and pumped with co2. The reason I inject co2 is becuase of the light that the plants require. It's a must to inject co2 on high light demanding plants.

It is correct science to say that planted tanks need a balance of ferts, co2(or any other source of carbon) and light. Now there is a popular hypothesis that c02 keeps certain types of algae at bay. Whether this is true, it may be because injecting co2 ensures the plants aren't deficient in available carbon and allowing them to more efficiently out-compete the algae. Just as proper fert dosing will achieve the same effect. Some peeps see algae and freak out. They "hear" that too much of a particular fert will cause algae to grow. THIS IS A MYTH! An unbalanced fertilizer dosing plan will restrict plant growth and will give algae a perfect oppurtunity.

I'm not talking out of my ass here ,when I say i agree with the OP (to a point). My son ,who is 13 yrs old, has a 10 gallon tank with most of my clippings. He uses my dry ferts. He has "moderate" lighting. He injects CO2... When he remembers to make his DIY concoction! He's 13 ,so it's rare that he remmebers. lol His tank looks pretty damn nice I might add. He does have a 'lil more algae than he should, but it's hard to tell what his deal is..he's 13yrs old.

I would say my son's tank gets decent co2 from fish respiration(VERY minimal), and his air pump. The air we breath has co2 in it. Anyone who has a planted tank sees ,when the ydo a water change the plants pearl like a mofo. That's because the water being poured into the tank is super saturated with Oxygen, CO2 etc..

In conlcusion do you need co2? Not necessarilly if you want the average available plants.

If you want beautiful plants(reds/purples/goldens) with ridiculous growth CO2 is a must!

 

[Morphineh]

I will have to agree with the last 2 posts, I was always taught and I've done alot alot of research on everything before I take the leap into doing it. The CO2 is definetly not a necessary addition to a planted tank but, like they said if you want the colors, growth and your plants to thrive CO2 is a must.

 

[MDK500]

I think the title of this thread need to be changed... CO2 injection in a planted tank with demanding species is definitely necessary. Maybe just change it to "Is CO2 injection necessary?." The title makes it seem like CO2 injection doesn't do anything.

 

[HarleyK]

The title makes it seem like CO2 injection doesn't do anything.

For me, it really didn't do anything
I gave it an honest try.

 

[MyGiants]

Co2 is not a myth. Sure plants will still grow with low levels of co2. They will grow slower the leafs will be smaller It just will never grow to there full potential. Its a fact that all living plants need carbon dioxide to grow. Just because your not adding external co2 to your tank does not mean there is no co2 in the water. Fish give off co2, tap water is generally high in co2 when you do your water changes. So all you who say you don't add co2 you still have it present in your tank. Just not at a high level that will help your plants grow to there fullest potential. People who add co2 are almost always pruning there tank every week cause plants grow so much fuller and faster.

 

[HarleyK]

Howdy,

Thanks for your comments. I am sorry this might have been misunderstandable: I am not denying the basics of photosynthesis. This thread refers to CO2 fertilization on top of naturally occurring levels.

HarleyK

 

[Zander_The_RBP]

i'd just like to say i agree with harley here on the basis that plants grow fine in nature, in highly agitated waters that have very low levels of co2 with SUNLIGHT the strongest type of lighting out there. You can't tell me then that co2 injection would at all be nessicary for plants to photosynthesize with a lesser light source.


If you have algae problems you don't nessicarily need to reduce your lighting or make each individual plant use more nuitrients(co2 injection) JUST ADD MORE PLANTS ! overall more nuitrients will be used the same net result as a co2 system for less money. If there are places for algae to grow obviously there is more room for plants to grow

 

[jcardona1]

i'd just like to say i agree with harley here on the basis that plants grow fine in nature, in highly agitated waters that have very low levels of co2 with SUNLIGHT the strongest type of lighting out there. You can't tell me then that co2 injection would at all be nessicary for plants to photosynthesize with a lesser light source.


If you have algae problems you don't nessicarily need to reduce your lighting or make each individual plant use more nuitrients(co2 injection) JUST ADD MORE PLANTS ! overall more nuitrients will be used the same net result as a co2 system for less money. If there are places for algae to grow obviously there is more room for plants to grow

only problem is adding more plants may make the algae problem even worse. algae is caused by a nutrient imbalance (lights/carbon/ferts). the stronger the lighting, the greater the demand plants have on other nutrients (co2/ferts). adding more plants does not reduce the light intensity, the intensity remains the same and only creates more nutrient demands.

when plants dont have the nutrients to meet their demands, they can no longer outcompete algae and algae begins to pop up. only way to get rid of the algae is provide the other nutrients adequately (co2/ferts) or reduce the lighting intensity. this is as simple as lifting the fixture above the tank a few inches...