For those - nope, and you really won't even see an improvement on either of those with CO2. Just pay attention to what plants you want and whether they need it or not 
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Should I add CO2 to my tank
I have a 70 gallon tank with a java fern and Moss ball. I'm not sure whether or not to add CO2. I do plan to add more plants, and I don't want to get a co2 system if I don't have to.
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Wouldn't be worth it for those plants. They're very low tech plants.
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What if I were to add more plants? Would co2 be needed?
Getting a CO2 system depends upon a lot of factors. Several are the plants you want to keep, how fast a growth rate you want, How much maintenance you wish to do, and so on.
I'd say that a CO2 system is not required, but in many cases, it can really help things out.
If your not sure, figure you can always get it later. Adding a CO2 system is usually not a problem.
I'd say that a CO2 system is not required, but in many cases, it can really help things out.
If your not sure, figure you can always get it later. Adding a CO2 system is usually not a problem.
Low light/tech plants like java fern, moss, anubias, crypts don't require co2, but make no mistake about it, they will all benefit from it just like any other plant. The faster growth will also make it more likely that algae won't grow on it's leaves which is common with slow growing plants.
The only caveat is that you must provide sufficient ferts and adequate light especially with co2.
The only caveat is that you must provide sufficient ferts and adequate light especially with co2.
I'm an outsider (low tech tank) looking in, so grain of salt here. You'd need Co2, high light, and high ferts if you were going high tech. But there are many, many plants that grow just fine in lower light, less ferts, and no Co2. Plants grow slower, but who says it's a race.
Having 'said' that, many/most of the 'carpet' plants grow naturally in shallow water with bright light so trying to grow these in low light will prolly not be successful.
In FW, low tech to high tech is like SW fish tank to SW reef tank - an increased level of cost, complexity, and maintenance effort is required.
I'm thinking [especially] if you're new to planted tanks, start with a low tech tank and then later graduate to high tech if/when the spirit moves you. Along the way, you might experiment with DIY Co2, before $ investing $ in a Co2 tank/regulator and a high light system.
footnote: Also, tank depth makes a difference - high tech would be more challenging (requiring more light) in my 24" 60g, than in an 18" depth or less.
Having 'said' that, many/most of the 'carpet' plants grow naturally in shallow water with bright light so trying to grow these in low light will prolly not be successful.
In FW, low tech to high tech is like SW fish tank to SW reef tank - an increased level of cost, complexity, and maintenance effort is required.
I'm thinking [especially] if you're new to planted tanks, start with a low tech tank and then later graduate to high tech if/when the spirit moves you. Along the way, you might experiment with DIY Co2, before $ investing $ in a Co2 tank/regulator and a high light system.
footnote: Also, tank depth makes a difference - high tech would be more challenging (requiring more light) in my 24" 60g, than in an 18" depth or less.
It's got nothing to do with it being a race. ALL plants simply grow better in co2 enriched water. There is no debate. Doesn't matter if it's a lowlight or highlight tank. They grow fuller and lusher.
BTW the OP has a 70G. Doing DIY co2 in that size tank would more times than not be a waste of time.
BTW the OP has a 70G. Doing DIY co2 in that size tank would more times than not be a waste of time.
It's got nothing to do with it being a race. ALL plants simply grow better in co2 enriched water. There is no debate. Doesn't matter if it's a lowlight or highlight tank. They grow fuller and lusher.
BTW the OP has a 70G. Doing DIY co2 in that size tank would more times than not be a waste of time.
The OP has asked whether Co2 is required since s/he doesn't want to add it if it's not absolutely necessary. As your caveat indicates, Co2 injection is not necessary unless s/he goes $ high tech $ with high light and high ferts too.The only caveat is that you must provide sufficient ferts and adequate light especially with co2.
With the exception of carpet plants, many, many plants grow just fine in low/medium light w/o Co2 injection.
I've already stated to the OP that it isn't required. This is from one of my posts above.The OP has asked whether Co2 is required since s/he doesn't want to add it if it's not absolutely necessary. As your caveat indicates, Co2 injection is not necessary unless s/he goes $ high tech $ with high light and high ferts too.
With the exception of carpet plants, many, many plants grow just fine in low/medium light w/o Co2 injection.
But without a doubt low-tech/low-light plants will grow bigger, lusher and cleaner with the addition of co2 due to increased uptake. This is NOT DEBATABLE. It's a fact.Low light/tech plants like java fern, moss, anubias, crypts don't require co2,...
Have you ever run pressurized co2 with "low-light" plants?
I know CO2 results in slightly larger leaves and slightly faster growth for Java Fern, but it's not going to do anything noticeable for marimo balls. They just grow too slowly regardless to notice.
Now, if the OP adds other plants, CO2 may make a difference, but for the two they listed, I just don't see there being a perceivable difference either way.
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Now, if the OP adds other plants, CO2 may make a difference, but for the two they listed, I just don't see there being a perceivable difference either way.
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Now adding plants, such as DHG or HC, would CO2 be needed?
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I know CO2 results in slightly larger leaves and slightly faster growth for Java Fern, but it's not going to do anything noticeable for marimo balls. They just grow too slowly regardless to notice.
Now, if the OP adds other plants, CO2 may make a difference, but for the two they listed, I just don't see there being a perceivable difference either way.
Guys read the OPs post. Is not about just java fern and a moss ball. He says in his first post He's plans to add more plants.I have a 70 gallon tank with a java fern and Moss ball. I'm not sure whether or not to add CO2. I do plan to add more plants, and I don't want to get a co2 system if I don't have to.
And yes OP, for DHG and HC adding CO2 is probably the difference between having a nice carpet or not having one.
But he also said he doesn't want to pay for CO2 if he doesn't have to. That's why I originally said no, and pick your plants based on their CO2 needs.Guys read the OPs post. Is not about just java fern and a moss ball. He says in his first post He's plans to add more plants.
And yes OP, for DHG and HC adding CO2 is probably the difference between having a nice carpet or not having one.
I guess I could have worded things a bit differently, but with the addition of wanting a DHG or HC carpet, yes, I do think CO2 would be great if he can afford to go pressurized. If not, I'd chose something easier like MC that can carpet decently well without requiring CO2 (although it obviously does much better with CO2).
I disagree! My tank is a 65 gallon, 2 foot high, 3 foot long tank, a standard 65 gallon tank, with low medium light. I use DIY CO2, and I began doing so because my plants were growing poorly with no CO2, but double dosed Metricide. The effect was extremely noticeable. I use (my tank is shut down now, but only for the past 2 weeks.) 2 two liter carbonated beverage bottles, with 2 cups of sugar, a half teaspoon of baking machine yeast and a teaspoon of baking soda, in each one. I played around with my drop checker, using various KH solutions, and was getting around 20 ppm of CO2 consistently, 24 hours a day.BTW the OP has a 70G. Doing DIY co2 in that size tank would more times than not be a waste of time.
Also, if you have more than medium light, even with slow growing plants, you will likely run into BBA and other algae attacks if you don't also use very consistent concentration of CO2. The plants will grow faster with the CO2, but the main benefit would be in avoiding the algae problems. CO2 requirements are more a function of light intensity than anything else.
The vast majority of people especially a newbie will not be successful running a diy co2 system on a 70G for any length of time, and in particular grow a nice HC lawn. That is just not realistic and is sitting him up for failutre.I disagree! My tank is a 65 gallon, 2 foot high, 3 foot long tank, a standard 65 gallon tank, with low medium light. I use DIY CO2, and I began doing so because my plants were growing poorly with no CO2, but double dosed Metricide. The effect was extremely noticeable. I use (my tank is shut down now, but only for the past 2 weeks.) 2 two liter carbonated beverage bottles, with 2 cups of sugar, a half teaspoon of baking machine yeast and a teaspoon of baking soda, in each one. I played around with my drop checker, using various KH solutions, and was getting around 20 ppm of CO2 consistently, 24 hours a day
This I agree with, not sure why you think I wouldn't. Even in lower/mid light co2 would help tremendously.Also, if you have more than medium light, even with slow growing plants, you will likely run into BBA and other algae attacks if you don't also use very consistent concentration of CO2. The plants will grow faster with the CO2, but the main benefit would be in avoiding the algae problems. CO2 requirements are more a function of light intensity than anything else.
Might would start with easy lower light plant's, lot's of em.
Run the tank with these for a few month's.
In mean time,read all I could on CO2 and it's application in planted aquaria if you think CO2 injection is something you want to try.
Lot's of lush, well grown in low tech tank's out there for those who like slower pace.
Run the tank with these for a few month's.
In mean time,read all I could on CO2 and it's application in planted aquaria if you think CO2 injection is something you want to try.
Lot's of lush, well grown in low tech tank's out there for those who like slower pace.
Yes, HC does need CO2 more than most typical plants. But, I did find that getting enough CO2 with a yeast/sugar DIY system for HC, with less than high light, isn't difficult. It is a nuisance to keep refilling the sugar/yeast bottles, and that can lead to trying to wait too long to do so, which will stop the HC from doing well and even cause BBA attacks. But, it does let you see the benefits of CO2 and encourage you to save up for a good pressurized CO2 system.The vast majority of people especially a newbie will not be successful running a diy co2 system on a 70G for any length of time, and in particular grow a nice HC lawn. That is just not realistic and is sitting him up for failure.
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