Admittedly, even without CO2 fertilisation, some aquarists say they observe their plants growing. There are several reasons for this. One is that the needs of our aquarium plants differ as much as those of our fish (discus/goldfish). Some plants, such as the Vallisneria, need very little fertiliser, only a little light and can survive with the CO2 content of untreated water. Any high maintenance plants, such as Rotala macranda, would perish miserably if forced to share an aquarium in these conditions. But the Vallisneria too would flourish still further, were it to receive CO2 fertilisation, assuming there is enough fertiliser and light.
La concentración adecuada de CO2 en el acuario
En CUALQUIER agua hay CO2 disuelto, ya que se difunde en el agua desde nuestro aire. Lamentablemente, esta concentración es demasiado baja para la mayoría de plantas de acuario. En la tabla siguiente puede leer cuánto CO2 hay disuelto en el agua de su acuario a un valor del pH determinado y una dureza de carbonatos X. La concentración de CO2 ideal está marcada en verde. Así se puede ver fácilmente cuánto CO2 todavía le falta al agua de su acuario para que sus plantas dispongan de alimento suficiente.
If, let’s say, your pH is 7.4 and the KH is 6 °dKH, then you have 7 mg/l CO2 in the water. However, most aquatic plants need somewhat higher CO2 levels, of between 14 and 23 mg/l, to grow vigorously and healthily. Very sensitive species can even need 23 to 36 mg/l. With the help of a CO2 fertiliser system you can increase the CO2 content in the water and at the same time set the perfect pH value for your fish.
Find more about CO2 plant fertilisation here: Fertilización de las plantas con CO2
