Easy Red Plants

[FishHobby99]

At this time you do not want to get into co2 - it can create a lot of issues you are not prepared to handle. Also you would need a significantly stronger light to take advantage of co2 as well as a warmer aquarium. I would say just

ccept what you have ordered and see how it goes. You can do quite well without co2 and the right plants.

I trust your judgement, just curious as how it works. My lackadaisical googles take me to places selling stuff. I’ll try harder.

 

[anewbie]

the most effective way is to buy a quality regulator (like co2art); a 10lb container of co2 and a quality diffuser or build a quality reactor. The paintball co2 solution such as fluval are not cost effective over the long run. Also the regulator has to be put on a timer so it is only injecting co2 during the daytime and not at night (when the plants do not perform photosynthesis). Anyway for your sort of setup crypts, anubia, swordplants, italia val are the best bet. You will have to check each species carefully given your aquarium is unheated.

Also water makes a bit of difference and how knows maybe the plants you purchased will do well there is always a touch of blackmagic in these things.

 

[FishHobby99]

the most effective way is to buy a quality regulator (like co2art); a 10lb container of co2 and a quality diffuser or build a quality reactor. The paintball co2 solution such as fluval are not cost effective over the long run. Also the regulator has to be put on a timer so it is only injecting co2 during the daytime and not at night (when the plants do not perform photosynthesis). Anyway for your sort of setup crypts, anubia, swordplants, italia val are the best bet. You will have to check each species carefully given your aquarium is unheated.

Also water makes a bit of difference and how knows maybe the plants you purchased will do well there is always a touch of blackmagic in these things.

Thanks, good to know. I have both heated & unheated tanks. I will try some of the incoming red plants in both & quickly pull if they look bad.

 

[FishHobby99]

Found what appears to be a good article. Sounds like a pain in the butt that requires many moving parts.

The Ultimate Guide To Using CO2 In The Planted Aquarium

This is a complete guide for how to use CO2 in your planted aquarium. It will cover CO2 regulators, CO2 diffusers CO2 tank selection and much more. Using CO2 in the planted aquarium has many benefits. It enhances plant growth and can make your aquarium more safe for its inhabitants if done right.

aquaproshq.com

 

[FF_Member146894]

Found what appears to be a good article. Sounds like a pain in the butt that requires many moving parts.

are you going to put these plants in your cichlid tank?
they're going to constantly be uprooted

also don't do injected CO2 if you have little experience with low tech planted tanks
and it's definitely not something that you should decide to do because you ordered a few highly demanding plants
the "ultimate guide to using CO2" that you linked only scratches the surface

 

[Byron]

Found what appears to be a good article. Sounds like a pain in the butt that requires many moving parts.

The Ultimate Guide To Using CO2 In The Planted Aquarium

This is a complete guide for how to use CO2 in your planted aquarium. It will cover CO2 regulators, CO2 diffusers CO2 tank selection and much more. Using CO2 in the planted aquarium has many benefits. It enhances plant growth and can make your aquarium more safe for its inhabitants if done right.

aquaproshq.com

This article really makes me laugh. Pumping CO2 in an aquarium with fish is not creating a healthy, safe environment...quite the opposite.

BTW, I don't know how familiar you are with high-tech systems, but the CO2 will do nothing but grow algae if the light is not strong enough to drive photosynthesis, and the other 16 nutrients are available which usually means daily dosing of more stuff to bother the fish. I know there are others that do not agree, so be it. None of this occurs in the natural habitats of fish we keep and that should guide us. I had enough of a CO2 issue with my planted tank creating CO2 during the night that bothered the fish, though that was easily solved with additional surface disturbance day and night.

 

[FishHobby99]

This article really makes me laugh. Pumping CO2 in an aquarium with fish is not creating a healthy, safe environment...quite the opposite.

BTW, I don't know how familiar you are with high-tech systems, but the CO2 will do nothing but grow algae if the light is not strong enough to drive photosynthesis, and the other 16 nutrients are available which usually means daily dosing of more stuff to bother the fish. I know there are others that do not agree, so be it. None of this occurs in the natural habitats of fish we keep and that should guide us. I had enough of a CO2 issue with my planted tank creating CO2 during the night that bothered the fish, though that was easily solved with additional surface disturbance day and night.

Good to know, Byron. Thanks. Must admit I had some qualms when every other paragraph was linked to selling various components.

 

[FishHobby99]

My primary objection now to all this CO2 is the tanks etc look ugly.

 

[FishHobby99]

Good to know, Byron. Thanks. Must admit I had some qualms when every other paragraph was linked to selling various components.

If you really want to laugh try googling: adding carbonated water (seltzer) to tanks as CO2 source.
Most going that route have a DIY diffuser & tubing on the bottle cap and small tanks.

 

[anewbie]

This is a low tech tank (no co2); there is not a lot of red 'cept the swordtails but hey stuff grows:

 

[FishHobby99]

This is a low tech tank (no co2); there is not a lot of red 'cept the swordtails but hey stuff grows:

View attachment 147613

It’s beautiful!

 

[anewbie]

It’s beautiful!

The large dark green plant is an aponogeton bolivianus; you have to have patience as it will take a while to grow but it is an easy to grow plant and imho quite lovely - move lovely in person than in the picture. One thing to consider is you can mix colours by planting dark green and light green plants as well as a few colourful crypts.