now that I have live plants,

[Mith]

Do I need to get a co2 machine?

[rich311k]

Not necessarily. Depends on lighting etc. Once you get over 2.5 watts a gallon you will want to really consider it. Depending on the size of the tank and the type of plants, Excel can work well.

A pressurized setup is a wonderful thing though. Once it is dialed in you can just forget about it. Twice a year you need to refill the tank that is about it.

CO2 will help plants grow in any situation but it is certainly not always need. If you have less than optimal growth and the algae starts to take over then CO2 is the way to go.

Once CO2 is provided a good fert plan will be needed as well. That will allow the plants to out compete the algae at every turn.

[PostalPenguin]

Pressurized CO2 is AWESOME. My plants grow like weeds with it. However, it is expensive and only necessary if you go above low-light.

[Northernguy]

Did you quarantine them first?
There is a good chance that they are carrying snail eggs on them.

[Rue]

I distinguish between a planted tank (where the plants are the focus) and a tank with plants (where plants are just part of the tank)...I have the latter...my plants do very well...and I don't add anything...

But I pick hardy, low-light, low maintenance plants...

[Lab_Rat]

I use Excel as my source of carbon for my plants. They're at 2.24wpg so they're borderline needing it. I only dose every other day.

A simple alum dip will take care of any snail eggs/snails if that's a concern Northernguy. I don't quarantine my plants, just a dip.

[Kaz]

What plants do you have and what light do you have for them?

[DrNic]

You can use CO2, although it isn't required. I have lush setups in all my tanks and don't use CO2 or ferts. It really depends on the types of plants you have though. Although almost all plants will do better with CO2, some plants require it more than others.

If you're thinking about using CO2, try a 2 liter DIY CO2 generator first. They are easy to setup and cheap to make. That will give you an idea about how the plants will do with CO2. If you like it then you can get a pressurized setup.

[Wiggs]

If you are using low-light plants i wouldn't worry about it at first as they get established and you get into the rhythm of dosing ferts and all.

Maybe something to think about in the future?

[-Lp]

If you're thinking about using CO2, try a 2 liter DIY CO2 generator first. They are easy to setup and cheap to make. That will give you an idea about how the plants will do with CO2. If you like it then you can get a pressurized setup.

I was wondering if anyone would mention that. I set mine up using a thicker apple juice container, but all else is the same. Been in for two weeks now, and I'm telling you the plants seem healthier. Also, I've seen a reduction in algae growth that I formerly had on the plants leaves themselves.

[Wild Turkey]

Well, DIY isnt as stable without more effort. I dont use a pressure system and for me the process of keeping the DIY stable basically consists of preparing it 1-2 days before and letting it begin c02 production and (hopefully) get through the initial peak before it is switched in for the old bottle, which has just begun to slow down, or is about to

I would definitely try DIY before investing in pressure, which costs about 200 times more

[Mith]

Did you quarantine them first?
There is a good chance that they are carrying snail eggs on them.


Nope... and I just figured they'd probably have snails... I'll have to deal with that later I suppose...:help:

[Mith]

I distinguish between a planted tank (where the plants are the focus) and a tank with plants (where plants are just part of the tank)...I have the latter...my plants do very well...and I don't add anything...

But I pick hardy, low-light, low maintenance plants...

Oh, I've been saying it wrong then. I have a tank, with plants... LOL(blush)

[Mith]

What plants do you have and what light do you have for them?

I got two 55w florescent tubes. Two tubs on each unit.

[Kaz]

I got two 55w florescent tubes. Two tubs on each unit.

I'm sorry, What size tank?

[Mith]

I'm sorry, What size tank?

50g
...........

[HeatherB]

I just blow into my airline tubing every now and again! Someone on here, maybe Jaster was joking about it one day, but hey, it works! With 4 tanks I don't have the $ to be forking over for C02, even though I would like too!!!

If anyone has some info about DIY setups, I would be interested!

[gonathan85]

I used this guide here:
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

My thread on this forum is here (to view the final product):

I plan on adding a "pre-filter" to the setup. This will consist of a 1l bottle half way between the diffusor and the producer bottle. I'll take more pics later.