Can I grow healthy aquarium plants without CO2 injection?

Question

Of course bright lighting and sufficient nutrients have been provided.

Answer 1

Definitely.

Your aquarium is a little eco-system that needs to be balanced.

The fish are a source of CO2 and nitrogenous waste; the plants are a source of oxygen; the plants get nourishment from the fish waste; the fish get oxygen from plants; and so on. It's a cycle.

However, aquaria are too small (unlike a river or pond) for all these processes to take place at a normal rate. So waste may build up too fast, for example; oxygen may be depleted too fast, etc.

It's still possible to get nice healthy plants with no extra help, though. Most trouble can be avoided by:

(a) Reduce fish - don't overcrowd.
(b) Use a special aquatic plant fertiliser (you can get it from good shops) and keep the base gravel clean.
(c) iron chlorosis (leaves turning yellow) can be avoided with a supplement that dissolves in water.
(d) Check water pH & change regularly - too much fish urea can be too much of a good thing!

Remember, in nature, where all aquatic plants come from, there are no CO2 injections... : )

Answer 2

Fishes? They provide a source of CO2 for aquatic plants.

Answer 3

Yes, with some help from Tetra neon fishes or small tropical fishes to produce some waste to reproduce CO2

Answer 4

Yes you can! You just properly care for your plants, and you'll be good! CO2 injection is just for marketing and sucking up for money.

Answer 5

no... b/c it need CO2 to make food and survive..... other nutrient dont do anything until there is CO2

Answer 6

absolutely!