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About
CO2 Fertilization
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
is the most important plant nutrient. Almost half of the dry matter of
any plant is carbon. In natural waters with luxurious plant growth a continuous
flow of CO2 is supplied by CO2-rich nutrition springs and by fermentation
processes in the ground. This natural CO2 supply is missing in the aquarium
and an additional CO2 fertilization is essential. A deficiency in CO2
is the reason for unnaturally high pH-values and stunted or dissolving
aquarium plants.
CO2 101 - Introduction
-For plants to grow,
they form carbohydrates (sugars) out of carbon dioxide (CO2) and water,
using light as the energy source. This process is called photosynthesis.
In an aquarium, fish
and bacteria produce CO2 continuously. While plants use CO2 and have a
net production of oxygen during the day, at night this process is reversed
and they use oxygen and produce CO2.
In a well-planted
aquarium the amount of CO2 that is produced naturally is relatively small
and therefore the CO2 concentration is usually the most dominant factor
limiting plant growth.
CO2 gas dissolved
in water can take the form of bicarbonate or carbonate. These three forms
are in chemical equilibrium. Which form is present in what amount depends
on the pH.
Dissolved CO2 <=>
bicarbonate ion <=> carbonate ion
In the pH range favorable
to water plants, pH 6.4 - 7.2, a percentage will be present as dissolved
CO2 and the rest as bicarbonate ions.
From pH 8.0 to pH
8.8 there will be almost no dissolved CO2, a large amount of bicarbonate
and a small amount of carbonate.
Although they are
named "water plants", most aquarium plants are really swamp
plants that grow in their natural habitat with at least part of their
leaves above the water line. Therefore, they have adapted to take up gaseous
CO2 from the atmosphere. In the aquarium, placed under water, they are
only able to use dissolved CO2. Several real water plants, meaning species,
which are always under water in their natural habitat, are capable of
also using the bicarbonate ion if CO2 availability is limited. It is not
however favorable to allow this to happen, firstly because many other
plants in the aquarium will be unable to grow. Secondly, with the use
of bicarbonate ions the pH will rise to unacceptable levels for all plants.
Because of the CO2
equilibrium discussed, the maximum amount of dissolved CO2 present is
dependent on the pH. The lower the pH the more CO2 present.
Since plants use CO2
in considerable amounts, they increase the pH at the same time. Thus the
pH value and the CO2 concentration are interrelated.
Carbonate harness
(KH), is yet another factor that effects the concentration of CO2. Hard
water, with a high KH can hold more CO2 than soft water. While it is essentially
true that hard water with a low pH holds the largest amount of CO2 in
practice we can only use the values most suitable for plants, which are
pH 6.4-7.2 and 3-8o KH.
The water plant enthusiast
faces the task of maintaining both a stable pH and hardness in order to
establish an optimum CO2 concentration. CLICK on our "Test Kits"
link for our CO2 Test Kit.
Build a CO2 System Quick
Answers
Regardless of what
CO2 system you go with, you'll need to start with a CO2 Reactor.
Without a good Reactor, your CO2 system is worthless. CO2
Reactors always go INSIDE of your aquarium in the water. Use
plants, rocks, or driftwood to hide the reactor.
Basic
Inexpensive System-If
you simply want to add CO2 and want to go the cheapest route, without
investing in a full blown CO2 system, then all you need to buy is the
PGP Power Reactor or the
PGP Vortex CO2 Reactor.
These systems are simple yet effective. You'll only need a 2 liter
soda pop bottle, some yeast and some sugar. All the instructions
are included This will familiarize yourself with how CO2
works and how your plants will dramatically change with the addition of
CO2. This same reactor will be used later if you decide to
invest into a full blown CO2 system. So this is not money wasted at all.
Next Step up-okay
so you've got the Reactor, and now you want to use a pressurized CO2
bottle. You'll need to get your own bottle locally and have
it filled as well. Read below about
bottle/cylinder advice.
To use the bottle you'll need a regulator. We only sell one
regulator,, the Milwaukee
MA957 Regulator. This will literally screw right on top
of your CO2 bottle, and connect to the reactor inside your tank.
The Final Step-at
this point, you've got your Reactor, your CO2 cylinder, and your CO2
regulator. Now to make your life even easier and control your pH levels
automatically, you will now need the
Milwaukee SMS 122 Ph
Controller.
Quick Buy for
the Dedicated Aquarist-okay,
if you know for a fact you are going to be in the aquarium hobby for
years to come, don't piece this thing together in many steps and multi
shipments. You'll simply need to order a
Co2 Reactor, and the
CO2 Combo Pack. Get these
items ordered from us, and the only thing left for you to do is go out
and buy your CO2 tank/cylinder locally. We'll ship you the rest.
The instructions are included and it's simple to put together.
Good Luck! Remember, if you need any help, we're here for
you.
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