co2

[Robbo w]

What is co2? O.K. I Know it is carbon dioxide but I have seen people talking about "putting it in".

How do you "put it in"? and what is it for?

[breakaway]

I think its something required for corals / plants, but then again im just having a shot im a begginer.

You can buy co2 units at Pet stores. Its something similar to an air pump I would imagine, but it CO2s the water instead of O2 ing it.

[chimera]

fresh or saltwater?

for fresh, its mainly for plants. its "put" into tanks simply via an inlet pipe straight into the water. you can get a cheap setup from jansens (duplex co2 reactor) for about $90. from personal experience, i wouldnt bother with this unless you get a serious system. the co2 kits (contains chemicals to create co2) is expensive and doesnt last too long before it needs replacing.

for salt, its used with a calcium reactor to form calcium carbonate which helps coral growth.

[Robbo w]

Oh, I see.

I guess increasing the co2 levels increases plant growth,but it seems strange to do this when it is also common practice to try and increase o2 levels to try and keep the fish happy.

[Warren]

With lots of plants and good lighting, CO2 injection will give you a higher level of O2 than just airation. It's possible to get the water over-saturated with O2 so it actually gases off the surface of the tank!

[Ira]

It's completely possible to increase both CO2 concentration and O2 concentration. It's not one or the other.

[Doc Holiday]

Unless you have underplanted and using way to much CO2 8)