how much CO2 does a 2feet tank really need

[gregorsamsa]

Hey guys,

im currently running a low light set up with nanas and other hardy plants using only 30watts fl and CO2 tablets. There are around 55pcs of tetras (50 neons 6 glass).

My question is if i want to increase the lighting, do i need to increases my CO2?

If i maintain my current lighting(which the plants seems to be doing fine) without any CO2 sources, what would happen to the plants?

Would the carbon dioxide provided by my overloading in fish be good enough?

What would happen to the plants if there is enough light, but not enough carbon dioxide?

[PeterGwee]

That is one hell of a fish load for a 2ft tank. You are not going to saturate CO2 by packing the tank with fishes for your info. The ammonia contributed by that high fish loading is going to burn you sooner or later if you have no intention of backing off on the fish load.

Pick your way of doing a planted tank...CO2 or no CO2. Do not mix the two methods. 1.5-2w/g is great for a non-CO2 tank as well as a CO2 enriched tank. Less work for both methods and less algae issues. NO3 limitation to get red plants is also easier as uptake is slower. Stable low NO3 levels with rest of the nutrients in good range = red plants.

Regards
Peter Gwee

[juggler]

Try to have a balanced tank.

More fish -> more ammonia. If plants do not remove them fast enough, algae appears. Unless you do a lot of frequent water change.

The CO2 tablets do any good? Most of us use DIY CO2 or cannister CO2. I think the CO2 from fish is not a lot.

Since your tank is low light and with slow growing plants, can keep it that way by reducing bioload and without CO2 injection.

[gregorsamsa]

frankly speaking i have no problem with algae though. However thewalls develop sort of a hair algae. Also the CO2 tablets suck big time, dont ever buy them. The current ones i have were from the first time i bought all my stuff. I tyhought i could save some money, but i regret not buying Nutra FIn DIy.

[juggler]

Good to hear there's not much algae problems.

From my experience, when I cut down on my trace element dosing, the "furry algae" on the wall slowed down. Have some otos to help in the cleaning of the walls. More useful -- a magnetic glass cleaner.

For CO2, why not DIY? I followed the simple instructions from http://www.thekrib.com/Plants/CO2/co2-faiz.html to built one.

[gregorsamsa]

hey please see my newest thread...

my water is turning greenish...
no hair algae but green algae....