lindalee5445

Are CO2 diffusers recommended or required for a planted aquarium? I've been reading up on aquascaping and many mention CO2 this and CO2 that and it seems a tad complicated. I'd like to hear your comments. Thanks!

mathas

You can have a very successful tank without supplementing CO2, but it will depend (among other things) on how much light is being provided.

In general, the more light you provide, the more the plants want to photosynthesize. The more they attempt to photosynthesize, the greater the demand for CO2. If that photosynthetic demand exceeds the amount of CO2 naturally occurring in the tank (through respiration, organic decay, etc.), then supplementation becomes necessary to avoid growth problems.

coffeebean

not required at all. you just have to pick the correct plants for the lighting you have. i do not use co2 on my tanks.