Is CO2 Required

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
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wgmc3

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Apr 2, 2007
84
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Texas
I have never kept a planted tank and I need help.

I just bought several plants, Flourite substrate, and a new coralife deluxe double linear strip light for my 46 Bow Front. The LFS was saying that a CO2 system would run me about $350. I was talking to a friend of mine and he said that I only needed CO2 for the inital set up, and that I should purchase a small $70. system by RedSea.

What do I need to do?
 
you can always make your own. Just look in the DIY section. There are a couple of them.
 
i just do sand a root tabs if the tank is small enough.
my poly cteno tank is way planted and has never gotten any CO2 ever!
watermark.php

it's grown out a lot scince, this was when it was still cycling.
 
CO2 injection is required for a select few plants. CO2 will however, need to be present for all plants to photosynthesize. For many plants the co2 exchanged by the fish and inverts in the tank is enough for them, as long as proper filtration is provided. Read the sticky for beginners, and that will help you along. I'd recommend 4-6" substrate myself. You can mix the flourite with other substrates if you want. $350 for a pressurized co2 system is a bad deal if it is just reg combo, but if it comes with a pH controller, reg combo, and reactor, it isn't too bad of a deal. You can get away with much cheaper though. The Milwaukee SMS 122 pH controller, and Milwaukee reg combo is a cheap good setup.
 
The substrate should be at least 2". I'd say max 4". Requiring co2 depends on the plants you are going to use. If you are going with anubias/crypts/java fern type plants then no it's not necessary. If you are going with more high light type plants then c02 would be a great investment. It won't cost you nearly $350. I got my pressurized c02 set up for a total of $215. Tank, regulator, difuser and tubing.
 
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