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Three types
of
CO2-Systems
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are
used
by
aquarists
to
add
CO2
to
the
water
in
their
aquariums:
1.
CO2
Bio-Systems,
2.
CO2 Mechanical-Systems,
and 3.
CO2
Electrolysis-Systems.
We'll discuss each
of
these
methods
and
the
costs
involved.
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1.
CO2
Bio-Systems
This
method
is
highly
recommended
for
aquarists,
who
have
no
previous
experience
with
adding
CO2
to
their
aquarium
water.
Users
report
this
method
is
lots
of
fun,
and
they
learned
a
lot
about
adding
CO2
to
their
aquarium
water.
A CO2
Bio-System
consists
of a
container,
such
as a
2-liter
soda
bottle,
with
small
amounts
of
yeast,
sugar,
pH-buffer,
and
water.
These
ingredients
naturally
ferment
to
produce
CO2.
This is a very low-tech, natural, and inexpensive
way to add CO2 to aquarium water.
The container has a stopper with a hole through
it for a piece of stiff plastic tubing that attaches
to a piece of flexible tubing, which dangles into the
aquarium and allows the CO2 to
bubble into the water. The CO2
in the bubbles dissolves into the water, increasing
the the concentration of
CO2
and the growth of the plants. Click
here
for to buy a CO2 Bio-System.
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Click
here
to listen to Michael from San Marcos, California,
who calls Pet Fish Talk and talks about his
experiences with the Hagan Natural CO2
Bio-System Generating System for Planted Aquariums.
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2. CO2
Mechanical-Systems
is much more convenient and efficient than a
CO2 Bio-System
at adding CO2 to aquarium water.
It is also more
complicated and
more expensive.
Most aquarists,
who have such a
system, say it
took quite a
while to get it
working right.
But when it
works, it works
well and can be
trouble-free for
many years.
A CO2 Mechanical-System
uses bottled CO2 gas and usually
includes both a gas regulator and a needle valve to
a adjust the flow of the CO2 gas,
plus a bubble counter, a check valve, and a CO2
diffuser or reactor. Click
here
for information about a commercially available CO2
System.
Since photosynthesis uses light as the source of energy,
photosynthesis only takes place, when the plants are
exposed to light. When plants are not exposed to light,
photosynthesis is reversed, and the plants release some
CO2 back into the water.
While CO2 is essential for plants,
too much CO2 can reduce the pH
of aquarium water to levels that are stressful for fish,
so the CO2 System should be turned
off when the lights are turned off, which is easy to
do by putting both the lights and the CO2
System on the same switch or on the same timer.
Most
CO2
Systems have a valve that can be adjusted to produce
the correct level of CO2, which
can be measured with a CO2-monitor,
that gives an easy-to-read, continuous, qualitative
visual indication of the current CO2
level in a freshwater aquarium. Click
here
for more information about a CO2
System with a monitor.
Click
here
for information about Amazon River Aquariums, which
often contain lots of live plants and a
CO2 System.
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| The advertisement, shown below, links to
this advertiser's web site. |
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3.
CO2
Electrolysis-Systems
uses electricity
to slowly convert a replaceable carbon block into
CO2
gas, which slowly bubbles off the surface of
the carbon block and dissolves into the aquarium water.
This system consists of an electronic controller and
a carbon block. |
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Carbo Plus
System
showing the adjustable controller connected
to the carbon block. The controller sends
a current to the carbon block, which produces
bubbles of
CO2
gas that dissolves in the aquarium
water. |
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The
Carbo
Systems
have
generally
received
negative
reviews,
and
we
do
not
recommend
these
systems
at
this
time.
In
the
future
the
technology
may
be
improved.
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Click
here
to buy books with more information about aquarium plants.
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How
to
Create
a
Planted
Aquarium.
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Mr. Jonathan
Dooley of Pondscapes INC. in Fishers, Indiana, calls
Pet Fish Talk and give lots of good advice about "How
to Grow Live Plants in an Aquarium".
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Click
here
now to hear
Jonathan from Indiana
talk about keeping plants in aquariums.
Note: Jonathan calls after
about ten minutes. |
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After the show Jonathan
sent an email with several lists of the items that he
discussed during the show.
"Heres some of the links from things I talked about
today. :)
Web Sites
with Information
about Planted Aquariums.
www.aquatic-gardeners.org
www.thekrib.com
www.SeaChem.com
"Also, from the NOVA program you were refering too,
one of the people that had tanks on the show was Diana
Walstad, author of "Ecology of the Planted Aquarium"
(shown below). Her tanks are setup using a soil substrate,
which is a completely different way to keep plants.
:)
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Ecology
of the Planted Aquarium
A Practical Manual
and Scientific Treatise for the Home Aquarist,
by Diana L. Walstad.
Hardcover: 194 pages. Second Edition.
Highly recommended.
Click
here
to buy this book. |
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"As far
are a beginner setup for plants, here's a good shopping
list. :)
Equipment
1 10 gallon tank.
1 bag Flourite (15lbs)
1 glass top for 10 gallon tank
1 20" 28 watt power compact light strip (ESU makes one)
1 bottle
SeaChem Flourish
1 bottle
SeaChem Flourish Nitrogen
1 bottle
SeaChem Flourish Potassium
1 bottle
SeaChem Prime for water changes.
1 two-liter bottle, and airline for DIY CO2.
1 small filter (I use Aquaclear filters on small tanks,
sans carbon, run airline from CO2 into intake)
Recommended Plants
4 bunches Saggitaria subulata
4 bunches Bacopa monnieri
2 pots of Cryptocoryne wendtii
1 Anubius Nana
1 Microsorum pteropus (Java fern)
Clean up Crew
6 Neocaradina japonica "Amano shrimp"
2 Crossocheilus siamensis "Siamese Algae Eater"
6 Red Ramshorn snails (will start the breeding process,
I usually have about 1 per gallon. Make sure you get
the small ones, not the big Ramshorn Snails, as they
WILL eat plants)
Other Recommended Fish.
Smaller fish, such as Endler's Livebearers, Briggitae
rasboras, Bluefin Killis, ect ...
Maintenance
Follow all directions on
SeaChem bottles for dosing.
DIY CO2 re-charged bi weekly.
25% water change bi-weekly, keep siphon 1" from gravel.
As stem plants grow, prune the healthy top growth, and
replant.
lights run 10-12hrs daily, on timer if possible."
Jonathan Dooley
Aquatic
Design and Maintenance Company
Indiana
MrJonathanDooley@aol.com
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