People love CO2 Diffusers but don't use air stones..?

[Slappy*McFish]

Google Henry's Law for an explanation.
When co2 outgasses, it does not mean it forms an equilibrium with the amount of co2 concentrated in the atmosphere. Water naturally only holds around 3-4ppm of co2 depending on pH and hardness. It's the same law that causes sodas to go flat. Unless co2 is added faster than it is outgassed, water's natural co2 constant will eventually return to 3-4ppm.

 

[dundadundun]

^^ absolutely.

an air stone will raise your co2 concentration... but not by much... nothing worth noting except to maintain "equilibrium" (which we now know to be only a few ppm in water while at a few hundred ppm in air) when your plants take it up faster than it's absorbed by the water.

 

[tbone]

Your house plants would actually do better if you did have CO2 injected in the air, the only problem is you wouldn't do so well. In fact people who grow illegal substances do actually pump CO2 onto their plants, so that they grow better.

But its not like you "need" to inject CO2 into the water, but it helps. Almost all plants will grow properly without injection, they just grow way faster if you do. The height and "look" of a plant will also change, with CO2. There is also a difference between a plant growing, or even just "not dying" and thriving. That is why people use it.

BTW the concentration in the "atmosphere" is way higher, then on the surface of the earth.

 

[Mgamer20o0]

co2 isnt a must in most cases. co2 is a source of energy for plants. so the more carbon with enough light the faster the plants will grow. another thing i didnt see pointed out is many plants we keep in the aquarium are not naturally kept under water all year long.

you cant really compare two completely different things and reach the same outcome.

 

[rockhoe14er]

Google Henry's Law for an explanation.
When co2 outgasses, it does not mean it forms an equilibrium with the amount of co2 concentrated in the atmosphere. Water naturally only holds around 3-4ppm of co2 depending on pH and hardness. It's the same law that causes sodas to go flat. Unless co2 is added faster than it is outgassed, water's natural co2 constant will eventually return to 3-4ppm.

Thanks for the explanation that makes a lot of sense.