The Pros & Cons of having Pressurized CO2 in the Planted Aquarium 

I'm so glad I watched this video because I've been saving up to get a co2 system but after hearing how complicated it is I'm stick8ng to my low tech tank. I have many beautiful plants and fish that are thriving so I'm not gonna risk it. Great video!

This is a great video so informative. As with other posters, I too found the cost of a CO2 system too expensive, however, I was able to set up a pressurised system for £64 (approx $84 USD) using Ebay and patience (for deliveries). Tank has been running the CO2 system now for a few weeks and plants are thriving and growing strongly. Fish enjoying there increasingly greener tank Breakdown of costs: £31 Regulator & solenoid incl bubble counter £14 Inline atomizer £3 CO2 tubing £10 2kg fire extinguisher £6 Drop checker

Got Flipper for 6 years now... Absolute must have !!

$450.00 for a co2 system? Wow! They saw you coming! New in box Aquatek dual gauge regulator with solenoid $70, 5# co2 tank brand new $65, inline diffuser $25, bubble counter $10, timer $10, co2 rated tubing $2, drop checker $10, and lastly a fill up of co2 $12. That's a total of $204.00. And I can bet what I listed is more of a complete kit than what you got hosed for for $450.

I have never seen anyone anywhere who answers every single question posted! You are dedicated. I have been looking to get back into running an aquarium. It has been yrs since i had my 75 gal cichlid tank and 30 gal up.(I no longer have either) Good job on your videos, by the way. This is the 4th I've caught. Co2? I'm on the fence. Keep up the good work.

The cons are only there if you don’t think it’s worth it. If you truly enjoy caring for a tank, then the cons become just part of the journey. What do you want to spend your time and money on? Everyone has something, if aquatic plants are your thing then go for it! This video is super helpful for anyone considering taking the plunge, thank you!

Can you do a video on low tech tanks and what you use such as fertilizer, light set up and strength, what plants are best

Good pros and cons Mike. A pro with a pressurized system is that you can control your output or turn it off vs a DIY where you can't.

I love my low tech tank, it is soooo cool! I use fluorite gravel in mine, so that is my substrate. LED's for the win!!!!

Hey mike love your vids😀 considering co2 never done this before, i have angelfish with live plants my concern is i dont want to use circulation pumps with the fish they dont like current but then how do you ensure the co2 gets dispursed evenly in the tank? Can you put the diffuser in the hob filter and have it dispursed evenly that way?? Thx bro

Did seed start with dwarf tears and the things are packed everywhere with no co2. And I hate maintenance so screw that noise

Once again the best tips, No Co2 for me. What do you think about carbon in a tank?

what brand of plant food or flourish tabs or anything you use for plants? everything seems good but everything also has good and bad reviews so I figured id just ask the expert.

I do have one tank on CO2 and it's not been a relief to all issues at all...but have seen some extra growth. I'd like to find more discussion on balancing CO2 tanks...but don't think you're posting anymore...and also can't find videos on this. Has anyone found any discussion on issues with a CO2 tank??

Great Video...I'm facing the downside of Pressurized co2 myself...I ran out last month and waited a week to refill and within that week my tank lost balance and I'm fighting hair algae

what's the size of your planted tank. i love those rainbows.. what kind of light are you running on your planted tank

Great review and very informative! I think the cost alone would force me to keep a low tech tank

I totally agree with you! 20 years ago I had high-tech and I worked the enjoyment right out of it all! I'll take slow and steady anyday!!

Could you please give me some advice on the following? I was coaxed into having a CO2 system, and after two months of continuous CO2 (and micro+macro fertilizer) usage I can tell you it didn't do diddly-squat for most of the plants. I have been told if I start injecting CO2, plants will form a carpet, and I'm seeing none of that. Neither my Eleocharis or my Monte Carlo are spreading, the ONLY thing I notice is that I get a new, fully formed Anubias leaf every 3 days. The response to this from the same people who suggested the CO2 was to increase light intensity. I don't want to sound disrespectful, but I lost confidence in their suggestions and I'm also utterly poor, and can't afford a quadrillion lumen welding arc intensity light, on the off chance that it might get my plants to finally spread around. What are your thoughts on this? I've got a 15W fluorescent light for 10.5 gallons of water (above the substrate) with a 8.6 inch water column.

hi thanks its really informative..... I have one question what is the best brand CO2 regulator and solenoid switch i want to order online but unable to decide what i buy

Mike, when you were running the pressurized co2 what was your ph level. I like your rainbows, but I know they like a higher ph level. My drop checker says I am not dosing enough co2 but the ph is only 6.7. Was afraid to turn up the co2 for fear of lowering the ph to low to keep rainbows. Any thoughts?

can i refill a co2 tank at a local fire department base? I heard they have industrial co2, & we should ask for the food grade co2...but thats for alcohol consumption. so my other question is can i use industrial co2 for aquarium uses?

thanks !!! such a short and summarized detail about CO2......... the only thing i was worried about the time that i very difficult for me so now thinking, its better to stick with the low tech tank without CO2 thanks

Thanks for doing the vid brotha. great info. you just saved me alot of $$$ and headache. im not really a tinkerer. lol but Question: Will the freshwater AquaBox include like a months supply of Ferts or something like that. basicly what im wondering is if getting the AquaBox will save me a trip to the petstore to buy like conditioner, ferts, root tabs, and stuff we have to keep replenishing?

I know this is an older thread, but was wondering if you have HOB filters in a 55 gallon, would you still use one diffuser? Thanks.

hi,,,,if not pressurized co2 then can i use diy co2 to get plants like that,,,,i dont like algeas how to avoid them,,,will you make a video to Prepare co2 at home,....i hope u will let me know or tag me if you have time for my response...like ur work ,,,,

lol not sure how plants growing like crazy is a con. Isn't that sort of the whole reason to add pressurized co2 anyway? Most of us tend to try a low tech tank first. Get unhappy with the slow growth and then venture into a higher tech setup and get that faster, lusher growth. I understand it can be a lot more work but thats sort of the point....and is pretty much your first pro ("plants need co2 and you're going to it to them a lot faster with a pressurized co2 system, they're going to grow faster, they're going to grow more lush and you're going to be able to do a more high tech tank...). Your first pro shouldn't also be one of your cons! I think one of the main benefits you missed is that a properly balanced tank running pressurized co2 is less likely to have problem algae. I do however agree that it's more difficult than imagined to find that balance point; but I tend to have similar problems with my low tech tanks anyway.

What's the tall stringy plant that reached the surface on the left side "my left" of the tank called?

What kind of regulator are you using I saw it was from GLA, the number of different models had me super confused. I have a 75 I'm wanting to hook it up to

This may be a stupid question but if there is already CO2 in the air we breathe, what if we just put an air pump and a diffuser in the tank wouldn't that diffuse the oxygen and CO2 into the water, basically in the same ratio of the surrounding air?

What are your thoughts on the liquid co2, products? and where can we purchase the magnetic cleaner

I know you've talk about that magnet in a few of your video's. I'm wondering why you haven't demonstrated how you flip it. The tank looks good bro.

Have you guys started doing international postage for the mystery box ? I went to sign up for one but couldn't.

Is it feasible to use co2 to establish say dwarf grass for a carpet, then stop dosing with co2? what will the effects be?

Thanks for the helpful info, I really liked the fish that were in the tank behind you. I was curious what is the fish that has the blue like color. Shows a lot at 2:14 in the video.

What do you think of liquid c02? I also use root taps! Seems to work but not enough?

Hey, I wanted to start a new planted tank and I'm relatively new to the subject. Where do you buy your plants?

I have a GLA inline diffuser and I was wondering wether to put it on the inlet or outlet of my 406?

You've definitely made me a CO2 fan. I've never had so much growth. . haven't dosed liquid ferts in months.

Although you can do some cool stuff with a high tech Tank, I prefer a low-tech set up. It fits my lifestyle better. :)

Does Co2 really helps with Algae controll? Or this is a Myth? As far as I understood, it can also create algae growth if you dont set it up right. So is the same as a low tech, you need to have correct light, nutrients, and so on....

I love your thank bro, what kind of light do you have?

the point ya made about kids playing with co2 meters is a good one

Your videos are awesome, very informative, helpful and non biased. In saying that i just got co2 lol but i wanted to learn the pros and cons first hand and see the effects. Thankfully its just a nano 95g c02 kit for my 27 litre. So not super expensive (maybe in the long run). Thank you for the video! Subbed :)

Where do I get my co2 tank filled I'm new to the co2 world and I got a 5lb tank I need to get it filled?

Couldn't agree more mike. I liked using the CO2 kit you gifted me. But I felt it was more a pain in the ***. My 55 low tech grows plants like crazy

I am going to change substrate to eco complete and lights to Fluval will that be good

Do a video about passive co2 diffusers

wow your tank is getting nice well done

can use co2 to keep the ph more stable too

Does a diffuser help aquarium plants? Pressure CO2 sounds very dangerous to me...I think I do low tank plants..keep safe I am really not in no hurry to grow plants fast....

A low tech aquarium gives a jungle feel, a high tech gives a garden feel its really on yourself

I got my 90 gallon fish tank super low tech almost no tech,all I have is pool filter sand and a shop light from lowes with a 40 watt bulb and I throw in diy osmocote root tabs and my plants are growing and thriving like crazy.also something else crazy is a have cichlids in with tetras.

Why cant you use CO2 as needed? Why is it C02 always on or not at all?

Nice honest user review Mike. I like low-tech, just water change. Except for the nano reef, low tech but still a handful...oyyyy! Lol.

Fired Up Thumbnail pic, lol. Stayin low tech here due to always working out of town and/or state. Good video, personally experience always a plus.

Thanks for the great video. Very helpful!

Also I have a canister filter and a UV sterilizer... Is that too high tech?

does my aquarium box ship international as i am in Australia

Opinions on liquid co2 supplements?

Mike, please demonstrate the "Flipping" magnate deal, so that we can see how it is done.

Great video Mike. I got the tank in the kids room so no co2 for me!

tank is looking amazing

Why did you make my aquarium box UK suck? It was terrible compared to the us

Mike does the flipper float?

How long should u let Co2 go for in a 15 gallon tank

You really do know how to mess with my mind Mike ! :) I have the money now finally, to go and purchase a good system , and then you tell me ALL the negative points. I'm thinking that it does sound like a lot of hassle now, and wether to bother. I am reasonably happy with my tank as its going really, so now I'm in a dilemma. Don't worry Mike, I'm not blaming you , it's great to know, but I still just want to call you A PAIN IN THE ASS ! and dont want to miss this opportunity ! :) Good video my friend :)

Great video!! I bought myself a flipper! I love it!!! :)

very good info. thanks

I got my co2 setup with 5kg co2 tank for just over 150$ US. I see no cons, all pros. Hight tech all they way for me

Hahaa definitely a love hate relationship hahahaha. My kid did the same thing 🤣. Keeping a low stock of fish helps TONS with the balancing issues.... but then again I’m not Amano I didn’t spend big $$$ on a set up to only keep $15 worth of fish hahaha.

Great video. Are the boys going to take care of business this Saturday? I certainly hope so!!

What a nice plug.... 😂😂😂😂 Great info as always & tank looks good!!!

Which water do u use . Is it ro water ?

How does nature grow dense stands of aquatic plants with no extra Co2? My answer is...High Tech are using many semi aquatic plants..plants that might not ever grow underwater in the wild but for flooding. Truly aquatic plants dont need Co2 boosts. A bank of fluorescent or LED lights,3" of substrate and you are good to go. I've seen how the new dwarf plants struggle to compete in low tech plants. Old faithful Crypts are the main exception. Just add light for them. More light,the faster they grow.

Does the Flipper float?

This was really helpful, Mike. I'm not thinking the high tech plants are worth it to be honest.

Can Angel fish be in a tank without c02

what is that for fish in the right corner on the bottem at 4:05

Ok Mike that was a great video. I'm up late watching this one.

I'm new.i was sold liquid co2 :( is it even needed.sigh it's not exp but i don't wanna harm my fish.

Can I just use the CO2 for a couple of weeks to get my plants going, then stop??

i order my aquarium box a week ago and havent receive mines yet. :(

Why when start using pressurized co2 in my 250 liters 7 hours one bubble per second algae start growing !!!

that tank looks great.

No co2 for me and no ferts. Just dirt. Save money that way and plants grow very well

$450??? A used 5ib cylinder on CL is $40. A brand new regulator with solenoid from Amazon is $80. 16 feet of Co2 tubing from Amazon is $8. A diffuser from Amazon is $20 for a fancy one made of glass. Filling (exchanging) the tank is less than $20. Total $168 For $450 I could buy 2 complete Co2 setups and have over $100 left.

I'm a subscriber to the school of 'KISS' as well. Great vid. Thank you. Sub'd.

Pressurised co2.. too dangerous. Debating it, but can’t risk the canister, exploding or gassing off. Thinking soda stream... at least it’s a smaller canister.

I have gotten carpet with out CO2 but it was with a soil bottom.

Low tech rules! Lol

I'd love to have a beautiful aquarium aquascape sir!

Can u get the aquarium box to europe, would be awesome :)

great video

I shurely would subscribe when you ship to Canada, till then i'l keep on waiting... and watching your videos

Can u sad me the link to it please sorry

i would get you're aquarium box but im in iceland :(

Nice video bro! I'm addicted to high tech for liiiife :)

I keep with low tech plants. ..I like to enjoy my tank...not worth it!

showing the equipment you are talking about might be beneficial...