do I need co2?

korzal · 03-21-2013, 07:47 PM

Hello all,

I plan on setting up my 2 gallon fluval spec as a planted tank with aquasoil and CRS.
I recently came across a great deal at my LFS on a Tom Perchlight 13w for $9

However, I'm starting to wonder if this high light means co2 injection will become necessary to prevent algae? This will be my first planted tank so co2 is still a little daunting to me. Was hoping to get by with just excel dosing. Not sure on specific plants yet, but I'd like to plant it fairly heavily with a nice lush carpet.

So what do you think? Would excel, possibly some floaters, less hours with the light on, etc. do the trick? Or will co2 make my life that much easier?

Thanks in advance!

Mumford · 03-21-2013, 07:52 PM

You may want to wait till another member chimes in but I believe if you're doing crystal shrimp you're going to want to avoid CO2 and excel.

Could always do a DIY setup and add in floaters to help

- Mumford

**ThatGuyWithTheFish** · 03-21-2013, 08:07 PM

2 gallons is too small for a CRS tank.

assasin6547 · 03-21-2013, 08:19 PM

I'd start out with RCS for new owners, much much easier. Floaters will reduce the intensity a lot. DHG is a nice low light no c02 foreground carpet.

korzal · 03-21-2013, 08:41 PM

thanks for the replies. I wanted to skip some steps in the shrimp department but maybe starting with RCS would be best... either way, fauna won't come until I'm happy with my water parameters and flora.

korzal · 03-22-2013, 08:11 PM

so can anyone confirm if 13W is too much light for a 2gallon tank without co2?

Jason K · 03-22-2013, 08:58 PM

Good news: I've used 13w CFs on 2 gal and 2.5 gal tanks with no CO2, excel only set ups. Worked great with 8-10hr photoperiods

Bad news: These tanks were shrimp death traps...shrimp would die as they got to 'adult' size. I blame excel...and maybe low GH contributed too?

Not sure if you could go no tech, but don't see why not. shorten the photoperiod perhaps.

Nolan · 03-23-2013, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by korzal

so can anyone confirm if 13W is too much light for a 2gallon tank without co2?

I think thats about right. My 1.5g bowl has an 11w light, no co2/excel. Plants are doing great and very minimal algae.

I did have and algae outbreak about 3weeks in, I think because i didnt plant heavily enough to start, once the floaters and stems started filling in the algae all but dissappeared.

03-21-2013, 07:47 PM	#1
korzal Newbie (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: York PA Posts: 3	do I need co2? Hello all, I plan on setting up my 2 gallon fluval spec as a planted tank with aquasoil and CRS. I recently came across a great deal at my LFS on a Tom Perchlight 13w for $9 However, I'm starting to wonder if this high light means co2 injection will become necessary to prevent algae? This will be my first planted tank so co2 is still a little daunting to me. Was hoping to get by with just excel dosing. Not sure on specific plants yet, but I'd like to plant it fairly heavily with a nice lush carpet. So what do you think? Would excel, possibly some floaters, less hours with the light on, etc. do the trick? Or will co2 make my life that much easier? Thanks in advance!

03-21-2013, 07:52 PM	#2
Mumford Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (7/100%) Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Michigan Posts: 478	do I need co2? You may want to wait till another member chimes in but I believe if you're doing crystal shrimp you're going to want to avoid CO2 and excel. Could always do a DIY setup and add in floaters to help - Mumford __________________ Fluval Spec V - Growout Tank 20 Gallon Long - Work in Progress

03-21-2013, 08:07 PM	#3
ThatGuyWithTheFish Honeycomb Cats! (View User Tanks) PTrader: (18/100%) Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Boston Posts: 1,669	2 gallons is too small for a CRS tank. __________________ 20G Long Hi-Tech: My Golden Rule of planted tanks: WWTAD- "What would Takashi Amano do?" RAOK Club #69

03-21-2013, 08:19 PM	#4
assasin6547 Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Broomfield, CO Posts: 597	I'd start out with RCS for new owners, much much easier. Floaters will reduce the intensity a lot. DHG is a nice low light no c02 foreground carpet. __________________ How I feel about non-planted aquariums.

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03-21-2013, 08:41 PM	#5
korzal Newbie (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: York PA Posts: 3	thanks for the replies. I wanted to skip some steps in the shrimp department but maybe starting with RCS would be best... either way, fauna won't come until I'm happy with my water parameters and flora.

03-22-2013, 08:11 PM	#6
korzal Newbie (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: York PA Posts: 3	so can anyone confirm if 13W is too much light for a 2gallon tank without co2?

03-22-2013, 08:58 PM	#7
Jason K Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: NY, NY Posts: 151	Good news: I've used 13w CFs on 2 gal and 2.5 gal tanks with no CO2, excel only set ups. Worked great with 8-10hr photoperiods Bad news: These tanks were shrimp death traps...shrimp would die as they got to 'adult' size. I blame excel...and maybe low GH contributed too? Not sure if you could go no tech, but don't see why not. shorten the photoperiod perhaps.