anyone have a freshwater aquarium?

[NotFishyFishGuy]

Plants need carbon to photosynthesize (make food).

My plants have been doing fine without co2 tho, they haven’t died yet and continue to grow (slowly)

 

[Steve Elb]

180 miracles starfire ext overflow discus tank. 120 3/4 starfire ext overflow wild altum tank. Apex with automatic water changes and gluteralderhide doseing.

Beautiful tank

 

[Dubs83]

My plants have been doing fine without co2 tho, they haven’t died yet and continue to grow (slowly)

Yup, your aquarium is picking up some carbon from the air in your house. If you “inject” carbon, or CO2, you will notice your plants no longer doing fine and slowly growing. You’ll notice they will begin to thrive and grow much faster displaying much brighter coloration.

 

[NotFishyFishGuy]

Yup, your aquarium is picking up some carbon from the air in your house. If you “inject” carbon, or CO2, you will notice your plants no longer doing fine and slowly growing. You’ll notice they will begin to thrive and grow much faster displaying much brighter coloration.

So how should I “inject” the co2? I’ve seen some systems on magazines (how I found out this was even a thing) and there were only pictures so not really sure how they work. Do you have a co2 sysatem? Which one and how is it?

 

[Dubs83]

So how should I “inject” the co2? I’ve seen some systems on magazines (how I found out this was even a thing) and there were only pictures so not really sure how they work. Do you have a co2 sysatem? Which one and how is it?

Depending on the size of your aquarium, you can go with something as simple as a soda bottle, yeast, sugar, some airline tubing and a CO2 diffuser.

How to make a simple CO2 generator
https://www.plantedtank.net/articles/DIY-Yeast-CO2/7/

Article about diffusers
https://www.theaquariumguide.com/articles/co2-diffuser-purpose

If it’s a larger tank, you can skip the simple CO2 generator and find a soda distribution store, or a diy brewing store and buy a CO2 tank with CO2 and a regulator like this one

With a ph controller to keep your ph from dipping too low (CO2 will lower your pH)

Another option to diffusers are inline diffusers which tend to be a little more efficient and waste less CO2. The amount of carbon your water takes in is related to contact time and the siZe of the bubble. An in-line diffuser will utilize reverse flow to extend contact time with the CO2 bubbles. Anyway, here’s a great read to get you started as I haven’t done this in years!

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/beginners-guide-to-co2-injection-in-the-planted-tank/

 

[Perec]

Amazing! What’s your favorite Giesmann and Denerelle bulbs?

If Dennerle: Amazon Day, Color Plus, Special Plant. If Giesemann: Tropic, Super Flora.

 

[Perec]

How does co2 work

This is plant biology. They feed on CO2 and release oxygen.

 

[Devaji]

I was going to do a 40BR build I have all the stuff including a nice CO2 reg./lights etc. then life happen moved my reef upgradeg my reef then lost a ton of corals and was just thinking of FW planed in the new red sea reefer 750XXL...
if I could have more than one tank I might set up the 40br...

I want 5 tanks...but got to draw the line some where or i'll be a loner guy with a lot of fish tanks... haha
I think a planted FW tank can look just as good as a reef if done right. not that I have done one but spent time on the FW forums for a while.

 

[davocean]

Many of us keep low tech FW tanks that do not require CO2

I've had several low tech planted tanks.

Good substrate and keeping the right plants makes it doable.

I always did research on a site called the planted tank, check list of easy to keep plants.

 

[Perec]

Many of us keep low tech FW tanks that do not require CO2

I've had several low tech planted tanks.

Good substrate and keeping the right plants makes it doable.

I always did research on a site called the planted tank, check list of easy to keep plants.

You're right.

 

[davocean]

This is one of my low tech tanks, 75g

This one I used eco-complete substrate, but I actually now prefer flourite, comes in different colors and does not cloud easy like eco.

No CO2 here

Background is Val, and I have micro sword for ground cover, petite anubis, java fern, java moss, bacopa.

I put a lot of time into my reefs, but enjoy FW too, I just prefer my freshies to be simple and low maintenance.

Really nice planted tanks w/ plants like HC/baby tears, and just about anything red will require CO2 and balance of light, which can become every bit as challenging as reefs, but low techs can be done nice too.

 

[Rick.45cal]

Thank you!

 

[RMS18]

This is the best I have lol

 

[Coralmaniac21]

My discus tank on the last page wasnt using co2. The only red plants i know of that stay red with no co2 is the red plant i had in my pictures.. its this one. Also tiger lotus dont need co2 either to stay red..

https://www.google.com/search?clien...urAxUQ7xYoAHoECAsQAg&biw=412&bih=670&dpr=2.63