Do You Have To Have C02 In Your Planted Tank?

[Batmanjay28]

I have a 55G tank thats fairly heavy planted. I don't have the money (I'm a senior in high school). Is it a must have for your plants to grow and not die? Could I just add ferts into the tank? And the other main question I have is how many times a week do I add ferts to the tank? Do I add the recommonded dose everyday....if thats the case I would probably run out every 3 days. I am also getting some gravel that say it helps with the growth of plants. I just need some help because I don't want my plants to die. Any help would be awesome, thanks

 

[Themuleous]

The need for CO2 depends on the lighting level, higher light tanks IMO need CO2, lower light tanks don't need co2 but it helps.

Sam

 

[Batmanjay28]

The need for CO2 depends on the lighting level, higher light tanks IMO need CO2, lower light tanks don't need co2 but it helps.

Sam

will my plants die if I dont add C02?

 

[RadaR]

Low light plants wont.

 

[Batmanjay28]

Low light plants wont.

what if you have this?

Hagen Plant Grow Natural System with CO2. This you can get at petsmart.


Self-contained system generates the CO2 needed for aquatic plants to perform photosynthesis. System includes a fermentation canister, bubble diffuser and 90 days' worth of activator and stabilizer. Simply add water and regular table sugar (not included) to begin the process.

Would this work for C02?

 

[RadaR]

Yes. Many people use them for DIY. There is a pinned article on here that indicates how to use them properly because the sachets that come with the product are useless.

 

[Batmanjay28]

This froum "Nutrafin Co2 Basic User Guide" is to teach how to make and add C02 to the water. But how much for a 55G tank? And am I suppose to add it everyday? I just really need someone to tell me what do to fully. Thanks for the help

 

[RadaR]

The recipe given is supposed to last about a week. On a 55g you'd have to have about 3 . You could get away with 2 if you were jsut gonig to go low tech.

 

[Batmanjay28]

The recipe given is supposed to last about a week. On a 55g you'd have to have about 3 . You could get away with 2 if you were jsut gonig to go low tech.

what do you mean 3? Like 3 doses a week? Thats crazy! Well thank you for the help and if you can tell me more info on this that would help so much.

 

[RadaR]

Sorry, didnt make myself quite so clear.
I mean, you would have to have 3 maybe 2 Hagen Plant Grow Natural Systems to get a CO2 measurement of 30ppm. The mixtures in them would have to be changed on alternate days to keep a stable level of CO2.
ie. change canister 1's mixture on monday, change canister 2's mixture on thursday and change canister 3's mixture on sunday.

Hope thats clear.

 

[Batmanjay28]

Sorry, didnt make myself quite so clear.
I mean, you would have to have 3 maybe 2 Hagen Plant Grow Natural Systems to get a CO2 measurement of 30ppm. The mixtures in them would have to be changed on alternate days to keep a stable level of CO2.
ie. change canister 1's mixture on monday, change canister 2's mixture on thursday and change canister 3's mixture on sunday.

Hope thats clear.

Can someone give me a list of low light plants so I don't have to get C02. I don't have the time and money because I'm in school.

What about just having one? Would this help a little bit with my plants? How anytime a week would I have to change it?