Please read WARNING message below.
This page is written to provide some information pertaining to the use of carbon dioxide for the raising of aquarium plants. If you want to get your aquarium plants to grow rapidly and have the best look to them you will more than likely need to use carbon dioxide supplementation within your aquarium to achieve these results. Carbon dioxide supplementation can also help when trying to propagate species. Carbon dioxide can be classified as part of the fertilization process of plants.
Carbon dioxide can be supplemented in a number of different ways but the two ways that I have used and have proved to be the most successful are by operating a do-it-yourself (DIY) yeast reactor and using pressurized gas in cylinders. I have found that the DIY yeast reactor works well for aquariums less than 50 gallons and once you get above 50 gallons it is recommended that pressurized gas be used for simplicity and efficiency.
For my larger tanks I am using compressed gas. On my 120 and 125 gallon aquariums I am using 5 pound CO2 canisters with a regulator and diffuser/reactor. The setup that I am using can be viewed at the following link:
I purchased my 5 pound CO2 bottles at a local beverage distributor at an approximate cost of $75 each. The bottles are typically refilled about every 1.5 months. The cost for doing a refill is less than $5.00 for each 5 pound bottle. I just purchased a 20 pound bottle that will be getting hooked up to my 20 and 40 gallon so I will be able to eliminate the DIY setup.
I have purchased some new equipment so some of my CO2 setups will be changing before the end of 2003 so as I modify and upgrade the systems I will post information (maybe even some pictures) as time progresses.
WARNING
Please note that carbon dioxide is a pressurized gas, regardless if you are using a DIY system or compressed from a cylinder. Improper handling can result in property damage, injury to humans and pets, and even death. If you are setting up a DIY system, make sure that the 2 liter bottle or whatever container you are using (don't use glass) is able to vent the carbon dioxide at all times. The carbon dioxide is always being generated and if the bottle is capped off with no way to vent then there is a high probability that the bottle will literally explode, thus causing damage, injury, or death. If you are using compressed gas (from a cylinder) make sure that the cylinder is upright at all times and is secured so that it won't tip or fall over. Keep these items away from children.