I don't have Co2, what can I do?

[dionysios]

Okay, so I have a 55gal planted tank and Co2 does not fit into my budget right now. I am wondering what some alternative methods are to keep a beautiful and thriving planted tank. Right now there are no fish but I have plans for a few dozen neon or cardinal tetras and a couple twig or whip tail catfish. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to keep my tank flourishing?

 

[Hooked Newbie]

There are plenty of cheap DIY CO2 options. Check out the DIY forum.

 

[Lupin]

CO2 is not really required. Try low-lighting plants. Besides the environment where the loricariids came from is not loaded with plants. More like only the hairgrass, leaf litter and driftwoods.

 

[tanker]

CO2 is Great, but not required for a planted tank. You can always go low light and have Java fern, anubius, and crypts. These plants do not "require" high lights nor added CO2 (would be nice--but not needed). You plants would grow slower and take longer to be "heavily" planted,

 

[Shocker6966]

Although I've never used it, flourish excel claims to provide an alternative means to deliver carbon to plants. I've heard great things about it, but at the moment I'm using a couple home-grown yeast/sugar reactors while I pilfer enough plumbing from work to put together a no-cost CO2 system.

 

[Draal5]

Flourish excel is an alternative its basically liquid co2. DIY co2 is cheaper to do but you will need some kind of ferz whether it be flourish line or tetra's or dry fertz which is the cheapest. search rex grigg any you will find all the info you need.