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I have been thinking of getting a pressurized CO2 system. I’ve already had an offer of a complete set up for $80 so financially it’s not a problem. But I keep going through bouts of indecision as to whether or not I need or actually WANT one.
At the moment I have a 65usg tank with 144 watts of PC lighting which is about 2.2 wpg. The tank is heavily planted with a list of plants too long to go into. It’s so heavily planted there is no room for any more and cuttings have to be discarded as there is simply no where left to replant. Actually maintenance is a pain on occasion - if a stem plant in the densest part comes loose it can be a bugger to get your hand in to replant without crushing everything around the area and it’s quite a tall tank so it’s a hassle reaching the substrate in certain places at the best of times.

So far all the plants are doing well - growing nicely and weekly trimming is required for some. All plants look healthy, no signs of deficiency. A couple of more difficult plants I tried are doing well - better then I expected but generally my stock of plants are low demand types (Hygro, Ludwigia,Cambomba, Rotala, Ferns, Crypts, Swords, Sags, Anubias, Moss). Nitrate levels are a constant 10-15ppm. At the moment I don’t use ferts as there seems to be no need. Slightly overstocked fish wise (don’t go there!) Some hair algae on a few leaves, but nothing excessive or unsightly (yet !)

So here’s the question – what benefits will CO2 give me ? If it’s just faster growth I’m not sure I’m interested - as the growth rate at present is fine and faster growth to me just sounds like more work and maintenance and I’ve no desire to see the plants grow out of the top of the tank and up the walls. Pearling ?– I can live without it, if I want to see bubbles I’ll open a can of coke. If on the other hand it can improve the aesthetics of the tank in some way or produce more beautiful plants (as against bigger and faster) then I would be interested.

So can anyone help me make up my mind ?

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Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.

if I want to see bubbles Ill open a can of coke

Well if plants are doing good i would leave them alone, i don't know why the common belive is to always go for more, if plants are doing good and growing fast it means you have a well balanced set up for them.

As for the benefits of CO2 injection, well they will grow even faster that's a fact, but they will also become more lush and more foliage, and be healthier plants, maybe also coloration changes that will only happen with CO2 present like cabomba sometimes starts turning pink in the top of the plants (not all species do that though) Also crypts start growing more full and colorfull.

So if you aren't looking for all that stay away from the CO2 or buy it an re sell it!! it's a very good price for a whole setup!

[span class="edited"][Edited by Falstaf 2004-07-07 04:14][/span]

Its so heavily planted there is no room for any more and cuttings have to be discarded as there is simply no where left to replant.

That's when you go to the classifieds or swap shop section of forums and trade the clippings for stuff...or sell them. As for the benefits, Falstaff did a good job describing them. You can grow plants without co2, but they will never reach their full potential without it. Even on lower light tanks co2 is beneficial. When the plants benefit, the fish benefit - there is a direct correlation.

IMO, CO2 is very benefital because the new lfs that opened near my work dont have co2 in their tanks resulting in the yellowing in plants, including the plants on the driftwoods. Co2 also helps plants grow faster. I once didnt have a co2 system and the plant take ages to grow and often turned yellow and died. But, after investing into a co2 system the plants turned back to green and also have many babies. Also, the plants on my driftwood have grown lots more leaves making it look more spectacular than before.

If you love your plants and dont want to waste money buying new plants after a few months then invest into a co2 system. Trust me, it works well. You wouldnt see the effect at first, but after a few week you will see a big difference.

Steve

Ok, you guys are convincing me.

Falstaff, the reason it's so cheap is that I managed to track down a distributor for a lot of the Asian brands (Azoo etc) and they have a great stock of equipment and suplements etc. While not of quite the high standard of say Hagen or Eheim,I find the quality has hugely improved and generally get's the job done. I've bough a lot of stuff from this guy now, canister filter, PC light fixture etc so he offered me a 20% discount on a CO2 system. Complete - tank, regulator, diffuser etc. So the price is too good to pass up.
This guy has some great display tanks and I've always noticed the CO2 tanks have that something extra, the plants always seem that bit more "juicier" , soft looking but full and healthy and that's really what I'm looking for rather then extra growth.
So I guess I'll be paying him another visit at the weekend

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Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.

Cool! I'm sure you gonna love the results, I have tanks with and without them, and both are great looking and plants are doing great, still, the ones that have DIY Co2 plants are thriving!! my aponogetons are flowering, my anubias grow like crazy and swords are making kids as if there where no tomorrow!

I've also noticed that slow growing plants become not slow, and fast growing ones, just go wild!

Good luck and congrats on the decision!