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I have a 55g tank and i wanted to add some hardy low light plants in my tank. I have java fern in mine for now untill i get used to plants and then i might go with some hornwort or something else hardy. Now will i need a co2 injector for these plants is co2 always needed in every plant situation?

brtaylor2000

"is co2 always needed in every plant situation?"
In short "NO"

It is a matter of choice, type of tank, and cost.

I do not have it, and can not I have too much air and water movement for it to function as it should.

The people who do use it and when it is set up and running perfectly their tanks always look extremly healthy and well care for.

These tanks always remind me of pond life with little or no water movement at all where nature just goes crazy to create the perfect habitat for its self.

Keith

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Hi,
As Keith said, NO, you do not NEED CO2 injection.
In the tank you mention, low light, and those plants,
you need only feed the fish so they provide fertilizer,
run the lights for 10 hours/day, and do regular water
changes.

Now, Carbon and Nitrogen are the limiting elements in
plant growth, and the lights provide the fuel or energy
for them to use the elements. If you increase the light
to 3+ watts/gallon, and plant high light demand plants,
then you start to stress the system. If you want to really
have the plants "take off" and really start growing, then
add CO2. Normal CO2 saturation in a tank is around 5mg/l.
Injecting CO2 takes the saturation to over 15mg/l and the
plants have an abundance of Carbon, then they really take
off.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

I really dont want to get deep into plants I just want my tank to look nice. Fake plants dont look good in my tanks. I just want something slow growing and green and easy to take care of. thanks for all the info im glad i dont have to pull my hair about the co2 and spend more money lol

My simple tanks are planted in walmart aponogeton bulbs, java fern, and crypts. I've also had some luck with water onion. There is 1.5wpg on my 29g and no co2. It's still full of plants just not as much variety as my higher light tanks with co2. You can also add flourish excel. While not as good as co2 it does provide carbon and helps fight algae. Azgardens has an easy life package with a list of plants that may help you get started finding something for your tank. [link=http://www.azgardens.com/habitats_easy.php]http://www.azgardens.com/habitats_easy.php" style="COLOR: #00C0C0[/link]