Will I be ok without Co2?

J

jessa10

AC Members
Aug 29, 2006
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Hello, I have a 75 Gallon tank with a Hagen T5-HO 48" dual lighting system. I have a Power Glo and a Life Glo in the fixture. My substrate is sand and currently I am not adding any fertz although I do have some I can add if necessary. I am wondering if I should invest in a Co2 dispenser or if my plants will continue to grow well without. I have:
-Onion Plant
-Cabomba
-Scarlet Hygrophila
-Java Fern (This is the only old plant in the tank, so I know it will grow!)
Any information would be helpful!

Thanks a lot :)
 
IMHO~ yes. I would do a diy CO2 build. I just did one and my plants grow faster and they are greener. If you are not at least using some sort of fertilizer, I would def use CO2. Just my opinion though!!
 
No it is not necessary for CO2, I am running a 2x54watt T5HO setup over a 75gal, no CO2 addition at all. I run the lights from 11am-6pm and have only had the occasional green dust algae on the glass-sides. I add maybe a micro-nutrient mix, once a month maybe, but its not even really needed.
 
Thank you so much for all of your help. Riiz, it sounds like we have exactly the same set up so that's awesome! What type of micro-nutrient mix should I look for? Is it something that comes in tablet form or liquid? Sorry I'm pretty new to live plants!
Also, I have been leaving my light on from about 11AM to 11PM, or sometimes a little later even..... Do I need to stick to a 7hr light period?
 
jessa10 said:
Thank you so much for all of your help. Riiz, it sounds like we have exactly the same set up so that's awesome! What type of micro-nutrient mix should I look for? Is it something that comes in tablet form or liquid? Sorry I'm pretty new to live plants!
Also, I have been leaving my light on from about 11AM to 11PM, or sometimes a little later even..... Do I need to stick to a 7hr light period?
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I would definitely shorten that lighting period, I recommend sticking around 8 hours +/- 1 hour depending on what the tank can handle.

The micronutrient mix probably isnt needed. If you feed your fish enough, then they should have plenty, but the stuff I'm using is CSM+B that I buy by the pound and use in my high-light tanks. Again, I dont recommend it unless you see nutrient deficiencies.
 
A one pound bag of CSM+B should last over a year. This and some potassium nitrate will keep most tanks happy. Both combined are under $20 delivered. Having some ferts & co2 added to the water column will work wonders on any tank.
 
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