2006-08-26 15:15:50 · 8 answers · asked by mark_manuel680 2 in Pets ➔ Fish
It depends on the plants, I have Java fern, Java moss, najas grass, vallisneria, cryptocorynes and anubias in my tanks. They are all growing quite well without any additional CO2. My tank lights, which consist of flourescent shop lights, are on about 8-10 hours a day.
In fact, I have to thin out the Java moss and najas grass frequently and take it to fish auctions to get rid of it or it will clog up my tanks. Duckweed is also a pain in the butt, but some of my fish like to eat it and it makes them comfortable as it covers the surface of the tanks. They feel safer I guess...
A tank with live plants will usually not have any algae in it either. The plants will out compete the algae for the nutrients in the water. The only tanks I have algae problems with are the ones that have plant eating cichlids in them. These tanks have plastic plants or none at all.... other than the algae...
A good CO2 generator that actually puts a lot of CO2 into the water is an expensive piece of equipment too. The DIY jobs that you can build yourself out of 2 liter bottles will add a little, but probably won't be a significant source of nutrients for your plants. Not like the fish waste.
I would say that the bottom line is, no, you don't need a CO2 generator to grow live plants in your tank.... unless you want a show tank like that Japanese guy, Amano, puts together.
2006-08-26 16:12:19 · answer #1 · answered by 8 In the corner 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No you don't need one. The fish put of enough co2. plants will thrive quite nicely and provide a good environment for your fish. Just watch out for some kinds of fish that like to eat plants! We have a Pleco that likes to move our plats around. I guess he likes to redecorate his own home.
2006-08-26 15:22:56 · answer #2 · answered by justmeinNC 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nope, just fish. The fish breath the dissolved O2 and expel the CO2.
Of course, some fish eat the plants, and other seem to get a charge out of digging them up. I personally went with plastic ... they looked better and the fish left them alone most of the time.
2006-08-26 15:17:50 · answer #3 · answered by Grendle 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You don't need it, per se...but you'll have to keep buying plants cuz they won't last. They definately do better with the co2, but if you don't have it just right, you still have problems.
2006-08-26 15:19:07 · answer #4 · answered by Jen B 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
your fish should provide enough co2 for your plants
2006-08-26 15:18:53 · answer #5 · answered by perinelda 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i agree! co2 will suffocate the fish! all you need is a full spectrum light, and the fish will do the rest...
2006-08-27 07:03:18 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
nope
they dont need
the fish will generate it
i've never seen a co2 generator in an aquarium
if u keep co2 gen ur fishes will die......................................
2006-08-26 19:49:29 · answer #7 · answered by R.C P 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Absolutely!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, PLants thrive off cO2
2006-08-26 15:17:24 · answer #8 · answered by fettucinialvarado1392 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋