API Co2 Booster safe for planted Discus aquariums

I have a 55 gallon planted Discus setup. Is AOI CO2 Booster safe to use

 

No

It's a biocide, and is not a substitute for real C02.

 

Welcome to Fishlore.

I haven't used AOI CO2 Booster, but I've used similar products like Seachem's Flourish Excel. These are safe if dosed in small amounts. Safe for fish anyway. Many people use these "liquid CO2" products to kill stubborn algae like BBA.

If you plan to use it as a carbon supplement, I'd say skip it. With a little knowledge, you can grow certain plants well in an aquarium without carbon supplements. And, if you're shooting to set up a contest level planted tank or grow finicky plants, you'll need to inject CO2--not use carbon supplements.

 

I’ve used it with discus for years without a problem. It’s not co2 it’s an algaecide and needs to be added daily for the right results. Used daily it works fine. Start missing days and it just doesn’t work. Next thing is it’s expensive.
Welcome to fishlore! Discus are demanding! Let’s see some pic.

 

In theory, Co2 booster provide a tiny amount of CO2. Not enough to have an effect in the tank. They are however powerful algacides, as mentioned. Quite effective at controling algae when used properly.

Do not apply to plants unless they are submerged. Do not apply to mosses as it will kill them too.

 

You might want to check out this video by the plant experts at Tropica.

Although the video specifically talks about Seachem Excel, the discussion pertains to ANY product containing gluteraldehyde and sold as a carbon supplement.

Gluteraldehyde at higher concentrations is used as a high level disinfectant in hospitals. It kills bacteria, fungus, algae, and viruses. When used as directed for aquarium use (at low concentrations), it is an effective algaecide, but do not count on it supplying the CO2 your plants need. If your plants look better when you use it, the reason is that they are not competing with algae for light and nutrition.

 

I use the API cause it has less gluteraldehyde. Like I said if used correctly it works. The excel has had many complaints about killing off fish if used incorrectly or overdosed. API is more forgiving.

 

From API web site: API® | CO2 BOOSTER™

Carbon deficiency is one of the leading causes of poor plant growth in aquariums. API® CO2 BOOSTER product adds essential liquid carbon for planted aquariums to fuel the photosynthetic process and turn light energy into new plant growth.

Please understand that there are no rules protecting us from false advertising in an unregulated industry. We are the regulators.

I think we all have been had by this. We wanted to set up a C02 system to feed the plants. Then we said 'Hey, here is something simpler, a liquid I can squirt in to do the same thing. No tanks, no bottles, and hoses'.

They are exploiting our desire for something simpler than the real alternative. Liquid carbon is pure marketing and a false alternative.

Chemically it does not do what they say and that is simple to verify.

If you have some algae get some nerite snails or algae eaters, or inject C02, or turn down the lights, etc.

 

Just to reiterate what everyone has said, not a substitute for actual CO2 basically ok at spot reducing some algae growth. I like this article from aquarium coop How to Properly Use Liquid Carbon in Your Planted Aquarium