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

[fishandturtlejunkie]

I agree with your assertion that most planted tank hobbists dont need C02 in order to make a decent scape; however in order to get the incredible growth that you see in most planted tank contests, hobbists that want the same results "now" run high light with C02.

I have witnessed some incredible scapes that were totally without injected C02 systems.

 

[MONSTERUP]

HARLEY YOUR TANKS LOOK NICE, BUT I NOTICED THAT YOU HAVE THE SAME KIND OF PLANTS IN ALL YOUR TANKS. MAYBE THATS THE DOWN FALL TO NOT HAVEING CO2. I JUST PURCHASED MY CO2 AND ITS BEEN RUNNING FOR ABOUT A WEEK NOW AND MY PLANTS ARE LOOKING BRIGHT GREEN.

 

[mgamer20o0]

most plants out there can be grown in tanks with out co2. what does his selection of plants have to do with it? i dont know.....

i dont get why people get so worked up over this. i find many people who do the high light thing only for so long before they go back to a easier lower light set up. the only real myths out there is from people who lack knowledge of how thigns work.

 

[HarleyK]

Howdy,

HARLEY YOUR TANKS LOOK NICE, BUT I NOTICED THAT YOU HAVE THE SAME KIND OF PLANTS IN ALL YOUR TANKS. MAYBE THATS THE DOWN FALL TO NOT HAVEING CO2. I JUST PURCHASED MY CO2 AND ITS BEEN RUNNING FOR ABOUT A WEEK NOW AND MY PLANTS ARE LOOKING BRIGHT GREEN.

1. Please cut out the caps, it's not quite polite to yell in a conversation
2. Thanks for the compliment.
3. I keep ~17 different species. I don't see how that's a downfall?!
   I am sure you see that all my tanks have a different character. There are some species that overlap in some tanks but not all, and I don't think it's quite right to say I have the same species in all of my tanks.
4. My species selection is limited by water chemistry rather than CO2. If I tell you that my pH is <6 and my hardness not detectable, then I am certain you'll agree.

HarleyK

 

[yayfish24]

Im not too good with id'ing plants yet could you tell me what this plant is in your tank? Thanks.

 

[cichlidian1]

nothing new to me, I have had a total of 4 tanks with plants none with Co2 and haven't had any problems. a consistent light cycle, proper substrates,and good water parameters kept everything kosher in my opinion.

however, I wouldn't say that Co2 is a waste since plants need it, however they need light more than co2 so if that need is being met you're off to a great start. in a heavily planted tank with low lighting, perhaps co2 systems would be more beneficial.

 

[TimTheBadass]

I was just wondering. For those who keep a number of planted tanks like HarleyK, could you buy a single CO2 kit and just use it on new setups until the plants have grown and flourished.

 

[messerchmidt]

my homemade system out of a 1gallon Gatorade bottle with a bell type diffuser worked well for me. Gave the plants a rapid growth spurt

 

[HarleyK]

Im not too good with id'ing plants yet could you tell me what this plant is in your tank? Thanks.

Howdy,

I bought it as Echinodorus tenellus, but I am starting to think it might be Sagittaria subulata

HarleyK

 

[xanthid]

My 72x18x30. No c02 right now. 220w vho lighting