Introduction
In this short article you will learn about the benefits of CO2 in seed tanks. In addition, we will look at three different ways to supply CO2: a popular yeast-based system, an excellent but more expensive pressurized system, and an original alternative for aquarists who are looking for a reliable low maintenance system without disrupting the bank.
Why do we need to use Co2 in the refilled tank
Carbon dioxide (CO2) plays an important role in plant growth, supplying most of the carbon needed by plants. Plants use it to create basic carbon structures from which all plant material is produced, and it makes up 40% of the dry weight of the plant. Without a sufficient amount of CO2, plants cannot photosynthesize and convert inorganic carbon into sugars.
You can grow plants without CO2, but if you want bright plant growth and luxurious foliage with little or no algae, you need a good supply of carbon. With two watts of light per gallon, your fish usually supplies enough Co2 for plant growth, but if light levels increase, growth will be limited by the absence of CO2.
With more than two watts of light per gallon, it becomes necessary to increase CO2 due to the high luminosity causing the plant to absorb more CO2 and nutrients. It really works like a car; the faster you go, the more gas you use. Increasing light will have the same results as reducing CO2 and nutrients. All of them are connected with each other, so if you increase them, you must increase others, otherwise you will not have "fuel."
Injection methods
Yeast Based
The most popular way to supply Co2 is to use a yeast-based system, such as the natural Nutrafin Plant-Gro CO2 system or a DIY system made from a plastic bottle and a pneumatic tube.
The bottle is filled with a mixture of yeast, sugar and water. Fermentation of yeast causes the release of CO2, which passes through a pipe that is attached to the diffuser in the tank.
Yeast systems are cheap to buy / assemble, but they can cost you more in the long run because you constantly need to add more yeast and sugar (this also takes a lot of time).
Another problem with such a system is to control the rate of CO2 injection and maintain a stable pH level. It will provide a sufficient amount of CO2 for several days (the pH decreases) and then serve less and less until the reaction stops (the pH rises).
Your fish cannot adjust to unstable pH, so you risk losing some of them. In addition, an unstable supply of CO2 will cause what we fear the most; seaweed.
The only effective way to ensure stable CO2 using a yeast based system is to use two or more bottles. When the mixture in the bottle begins to bubble more slowly, it is time to start a new mixture in the bottle two. You may have to do this every 2-3 days.
If you decide to try this system, remember that if you squeeze the bottle (even gently), as soon as you release it, it will absorb the aquarium water. This can form a siphon and the aquarium water will fill your generator.
Finally, make sure that you do not use too much sugar or yeast in each bottle, because if you do, the mixture can rise to the pipe and poison your tank. This recipe works well in containers of approximately 2 liters:
Ingredients:
2 cups of sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 tsp yeast (ordinary dry bakeries - the yeast is fine)
Pressurized cylinder
A more expensive method is a pressurized system: a cylinder filled with CO2, connected to a pressure regulator. CO2 passes through a pipe attached to the diffuser in the tank.
This system works well because you can adjust the pressure to achieve the desired flow rate. It is 100% stable, and you need to replenish it only once every six to twelve months (depending on the size of the tank, the density of the landing, etc.). To save, you can use the timer to turn off the system at night (plants do not use Co2 at night).
Initially, such a system is expensive, but worth the money. In the long run, pressurized systems will be cheaper than yeast based systems, and you can expect much better results.
Earth granules
Here is an interesting way to supply CO2 to your planned tank. This is certainly not as good as pressurized systems, but it is much better than yeast based systems. I cannot afford a pressurized system for all my tanks, so this is what I use for my three tanks. Plants thrive!
He works;
1) bacteria are called bacteria right now,
2) The filtering medium causes the Earth granules.
First of all, the earth granules have a surface area of 980 meters squared per gram, which is two to ten times larger than most filter media on the market.
Thus, a larger surface area = more surface for bacteria to set = more bacteria = a stronger nitrogen cycle. It's simple!
All you need is a canister filter such as Fluval or Eheim, some granules of the Earth, and bacteria called Right Now Bacteria. Simply fill the filter with earth granules and pour bacteria into one dose.
Bacteria are so prolific right now that the Earth granules will be completely colonized in one day. I also read that nowadays bacteria can be used in any system in order to end the nitrogen cycle in an aerobic way and convert nitrogen to nitrogen gas (N2)!
Like any living organism, bacteria produce CO2. Unfortunately, the average filtration system does not produce enough CO2 for plant growth. With Earth Pellets and Right Now Bacteria, I get a stable 20 ppm CO2, and my pH dropped from 7.5 to 6.5 in the first day. All I have to do now is to dry the granules once a month. It is easy (perhaps easier) to use as a pressurized system and cost about the same as a yeast based system (depending on the size of your tank).
Conclusion
Those who have tried CO2 in a planted aquarium can be distinguished from each other. In fact, most of them do not return to a non-CO2 aquarium once they realize the benefits of adding CO2.
However, if you are still unsure, but want to see the results with your own eyes, you can always try Flourish Excel. I do not believe that this is a good alternative, because ultimately it becomes very expensive, but certainly it is a great way to see what CO2 can do for your tank.
