A Question

[WayneVT08]

What all would I need to start a planted tank? Do I need CO2 and all that stuff? I was looking for a pinned topic but I couldn't find one with a title that matched what I was looking for.

 

[montyII]

What all would I need to start a planted tank? Do I need CO2 and all that stuff? I was looking for a pinned topic but I couldn't find one with a title that matched what I was looking for.

I suppose it depends what kind of plants you want to keep, how well and how fast you want them to grow.

To grow well plants need carbon, light, macro and micro nutrients. Most people use CO2 as the carbon source, but you don't have to (I don't, I use Flourish Excel instead). If you have more than 2wpg (watts per gallon) of light on your tank you have to use CO2 or you'll get algae problems.

Try these pinned threads, most of what you need to know is in there.

co2
fertilising
light

And if you don't want to use CO2 try this one from Tom Barr's forum:
non-co2 methods

Enjoy!