What is really needed for an aquarium?

CO2 injection is only unnecessary if the plants you are wanting to grow don't require it in your set up...

Which is (estimate) true for about 90% of plants offered for aquaria in 90% of setups.
Because

Just like everything is unnecessary unless it is required for the set up you are wanting to achieve and maintain.

This is a given.

My point is that neither the one or the other is a must-have for anybody.

 

Which is (estimate) true for about 90% of plants offered for aquaria in 90% of setups.
Because

This is a given.

My point is that neither the one or the other is a must-have for anybody.

Totally agree. But... petrol isn't needed for a car unless you want to drive and not just sit in it

 

Totally agree. But... petrol isn't needed for a car unless you want to drive and not just sit in it

So a low tech tank without CO2-injection is like a car without gas?
Kinda weak analogy don't you think?

 

So a low tech tank without CO2-injection is like a car without gas?
Kinda weak analogy don't you think?

Not trying to argue MacZ, didn't think we were actually. It's just a horses for courses type discussion and just suggesting that some things are needed for some things, while as you stated, some things aren't needed for others...

 

We're not argueing. Just a technicality. The OP asks what is "really needed" for an aquarium and going from there neither "liquid CO2" nor CO2 injection are absolutely needed essentials for an aquarium.

 

Thanks for clarifying. I didn't mean to offend, I just used the CO2 discussion as an example for the direction I was going but could've easily chosen plants or substrate or ferts etc. I am a big believer in all methods having more tanks that can fit at home at the moment. I'll leave it there though.

 

Thanks for clarifying. I didn't mean to offend,

You're welcome and that's mutual.

 

As someone who spent absolutely ridiculous amounts of money as a beginner in the hobby trying to get everything absolutely perfect, in hindsight after a few years I’d say all you really need is a filter, heater and possibly a de-chlorinator to keep most types of readily available tropical fish in pet shops, a huge percentage of aquarium products are simply just huge gimmicks. An honourable mention also for a decent air pump and air stone are about the best value money aquarium products you can buy IMO but many consider them not essential.

I’m the type of person who absolutely gets way too immersed into things borderline obsessive, like I say I’ve spent a lot of money and time researching and experimenting with different water parameters, filtration systems, keeping different types of fish, different types of foods but I’ve absolutely loved it.

The reality is though the vast majority of people simply buy an aquarium kit which includes a heater, an internal filter (in the US it seems to be hang on backs) that most serious hobbyists would consider too small, plug it all in, add the fish they like the look of and go and seem to go ok, I’ve known people like this who’ve had fish for years with cringeworthy (for me anyways) lack of water changes.

Maybe with the exception of something like Discus that I’ve never attempted to keep, I don’t think you can go wrong with simply having a decent sized bio filter, a heater, sensible stock and weekly water changes. I had more success keeping it simple like that with Rams in hard water then constantly trying to mess about.