Medium light and CO2 injection

[Phyroath]

I am not sure whether a planted tank with medium light requires CO2 injection. I remember from another thread that 1.5-2.8WPG is somewhat considered as medium light. High light is high tech -do you consider medium light as medium tech? Sorry I am getting confused reading so different threads.

What if I do not inject CO2 for my 2WPG tank? Please help!

[247Plants]

Do not worry, it is not always necessary. But it certainly helps.

How big of a tank?

[irishspy]

FWIW, I'm planning a 40g tank with 2.4 wpg (medium light) and I plan to use CO2.

[Phyroath]

It is 46G with four 23W CFL. I have just removed my DIY CO2 and stopped dosing the wrong dry fert as it affects my fish.

[jpappy789]

I am a planted tank newbie but I think that at a tank that size pressurized CO2 would do a lot better than DIY setup...but I am not positive.

[Squawkbert]

You will probably see at least a modest gain in plant growth with CO2. I've got a 46g bow and use DIY CO2 (2x 1gallon). I get pretty good growth, but my CO2 levels are unsteady enough that I usually have a bit of algea, lots more if I let my Eheim get clogged up, minimizing flow.

[Phyroath]

I decided to stop everything at this time due to limited resources in my country. Will restart again when I get all needed stuffs such as a test kit. It did somewhat worked in my 29g with no fish previously. But a planted tank with no fish does not make sense. To my failures and experience so far, I believe Co2 do help but if without proper fert NPK, traces and rich substrate then it will not work. Lighting alone would not do any better. My big concern now is fert and the test kit.

[Fordtrannyman]

Hey Phyroath (http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/member.php?u=81255) - Don't give up yet. There are many people out there with limited resources that are successful. Have you ever heard of the Estimative Index? It was actually created due to people living in third world countries and those that don't have resources to acquire test kits.
Here is a good source for that- http://www.barrreport.com/estimative-index/2819-ei-light-those-less-techy-folks.html

Furthermore there are people that don't add anything to their planted tanks. I don't want to confuse you, but it could be an alternative for you. They call those tanks All Natural.
Here is source for that - http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/el-natural/

I hope it helps.

[Phyroath]

Thanks Ford - that very useful links. I would never give up but would like to take a break so that I can setup a proper one. I feel really bad when my neon all died just yesterday. PH was up to 8 and I do not have time to do water change. I would try to get NPK locally - If I am not mistaken it would be Stump remover, Fleet Enema, Nu salt but would also try to order from Greg for a completed NPK and trace. It is not hard to me to get NPK here but I do not trust those from Vietnam. Appreciate everyone for your supports and encouragement.