Thank you so much! I’ve been grinding for the last year releasing weekly videos. Subs are starting to come in but I have a lonnnnnng way to go lol. Thanks for the support!!!
Finally I understand the co2 thing because of your video. THANK YOU! So what do you think if I run only a sponge filter on low, have aqua soil (stratum) and low tech type plants, moderate lighting on 8 hours a day, one Betta with no other fish in a 20 gallon. Nialog G ferts at half strength. What do you think my chances are at having a decent planted tank using this method?
You should definitely be able to have success with that setup. Just stick to the easy low tech plants as you mentioned. Occasional water changes. Good luck!
I realized I haven’t had notifications on for your channel! I’m a natural resources management undergrad. It’s awesome being able to apply the stuff we learn about ecology and biology to our aquariums. Another great video!
The home stretch!!! Congrats man. Good luck out there. I graduated back in 2015, I miss school no doubt. But you made a great choice with your major, all of the science related fields will become more and more important as our population grows. Best of luck!
Wow, surface agitation like air stones and sponge filters increase CO2? I have an infestation of some staghorn algae thats just been covering and killing some of my stem plants for as long as I can remember. And the weird thing is my HOB filter output was on the minimum, but next to the sponge filter the plants near it had the most algae, especially the ones right below the bubbles. And after I turned that off and increased my HOBs flow, the algae stopped growing. I must be doing something wrong because I thought staghorn algae was a sign of low CO2... Edit: Never mind, you explained it immediately after, and addressed my situation, which I haven't seen anywhere else on videos like these. Great video!
Thank you!!!! This video was so informative. I am having a small BBA outbreak in my low tech so I'm educating myself more on how to balance my tank more effectively. Thanks for sharing what you've learned :)
Thank you so much for this video . I’ve been wanting a planted aquarium for my fish for so long and now i can finally do something for them . Thanks again for this information it helped me a lot
Definitely! You don’t need pressurized CO2, high tech filtration, etc. for a beautiful aquarium. I mean that stuff helps but it is not required. I keep nothing but low tech aquariums at the moment and love it.
@@Brensters63almost exclusively no aeration. But I am typically working with organic potting soil capped with gravel. This organic substrate provides a source of co2 naturally. Aeration would off gas that co2.
passive co2 is great for low tech to! just need a upside down glass under the water full of co2 you can also use a cut soda bottle and DIY a co2 source there's a lot of kits on amazon lol
Nice vid and those Rums must be real happy in that tank. I know I am late to the party. First time viewer. Subbed. FWIW. :) Never seen anyone say that other than reducing NPK or light to increase CO2 in order for plants to be able to use it not algae.
Am I understanding this correctly or did I miss something? The two methords for adding Co2 in a low tech tank are bubblers for surface agitation, or to have your fish breath and plants live?
Hi Will, just had question about keeping CO2 in the water for my plants to thrive. I’m planning on starting a heavily planted low tech aquascape. I’m not going to be using an air stone for bubbles. However I will run an internal filter for water flow/filtration. My question is, if I run the internal filter all the time and the flow doesn’t really break the water at the top, does that mean there is no surface agitation? Will I loose little or a lot of CO2 using this method?
What you are describing sounds like low surface agitation. Hard to say how well that setup will work without giving it a shot. I would suspect that it will work but I would be careful with your light levels. It will likely deplete CO2 during the day after the lights have been on for awhile. Too much light after that point could lead to algae. 👍
You should be able to have sufficient quantities of both with the methods shown in this video, however, it is important to monitor your fish for awhile to make sure there is sufficient oxygen if you go with the no flow setup.
Cool music 🤘🏻I was thinking ... I stop the pump from the filter .... I have a co2 indicator .... I watch until it turns green ... because normally it's always blue .... then when it's green I turn on the pump ... until it turns blue ... so I can calculate how long it takes the fish to consume oxygen from the water ... and put the pump on a timer ... I don't know, is that a good idea?
I like the idea! Would be fun to play around with! I know that drop checkers aren't the most accurate in the world, but you might be able to dial in a setup nicely with that method. Good thinking 😃
Creating surface aggitation won't get more CO2 in water, it will always equalise with the surrounding environment so it's just going to maintain that. To tray CO2 for longer you need a still surface. Ponds have a lower PH and more CO2 because rain is slightly acidic, as are rotting leaves etc. But if you have a dry spell the PH will slowly climb and CO2 drop
If the plants are using all the available co2 available in the water then adding surface agitation can bring co2 back up to equilibrium with the environment, thus increasing co2. But if you have more co2 in the water than equilibrium then agitation will reduce back to equilibrium, that was the concept mentioned. Whether or not adding agitation will help depends on all those factors.
TY 4 this. Being a newbie @ this, I'm still trying 2 figure everything out. I'm still not sure, even after your vid, if I understand everything. I had set up my nano aquascape a few months ago. I don't have a test kit, but I think it's doing ok. The plants, fish & shrimp r doing well. I have a small amount of soil as the 1st layer of substrate, then sand & a layer of small gravel. I have lights on 4 just 8 hrs/day, every day. I've been doing weekly partial H2O changes & I still a some algae in 1of the 2 nano tanks, that r low tech & they r not filtered or using an air stone. I think I need 2 watch your vid again. Do u have any other suggestions 4 me? I would appreciate it.
You probably know already that Yeast while it's consuming sugar produces CO2. I don't think I could bring myself to turn off the air stones etc...My plants are growing fine low tech and in gravel.
speaking of soil in low tech how do i know or test if the soil safe for fish? if seed shrimps or other micro organisms appear that means or indicate the soil safe for fish ?
I think a siesta is a great approach! I’ve never used a siesta myself but I totally follow the logic and Diana Walstad does a great job supporting the theory in her book (which I own 😃). Do you use a siesta in your setups?
@@AquariumPlantLab I am 3 months into a new tank and fighting some algae. Lights have dropped to 6 hours so I am going to see how that goes, then try the siesta later on.
I'm not sure I understand. Will air stone remove or add CO2? I have no filter. I'm thinking, maybe I should run air stone in the second half of the day, when plants photosintesize: it will enrich water with oxigen, which can be used by plants at night and they will produce CO2, and then use it when light goes on again.
Hi, is it possible to run these 2 methods together? For example turn off the sponge filter 2 hours before and during the lights is on to produce more co2 for the plants and turn it back on when the lights is off to get more o2 for both plants and fishes?
@@AquariumPlantLab I have the same question as Igor, turning on the bubbles at night will bring oxygen to water, where the plants will need, but what about the CO2 that you just said in the video that will be released with water agitation? I am confused...
Hi Will, love the video. Just had a quick question. I have a low tech 87L tank. No aqua soil, no CO2, just water, fish, rocks (gravel) and a few plants. Running I have a heater and a internal filter that circulates the water. Based on the video, an air stone can into CO2 into the water without CO2 injection and fish respiration of course.. My question is, should I have my air pump on during the day and turn it off at night? Or vice versa? Thanks Will, shout out from Oz!
Glad you enjoyed this one! I would probably keep it on all the time actually. At night plants shift over to needing oxygen so your air pump will be a benefit at night. This will also keep all gasses constant throughout the day and night allowing your plants to adapt to a very consistent set of conditions. I would recommend a good quality liquid fertilizer or root tab depending on your plant species.
Thanks so much for the video! I haven't seen any other video like this and this provides insights that others don't! Can I get your thoughts on how a surface skimmer would affect co2 in a low tech tank? I have a lily pipe with a surface skimmer attached but after watching this video, I'm not sure if I should use it frequently or not.
I would imagine a surface skimmer to have an affect similar to that of an air stone, but probably less so. I would try running with and without and see how plants respond. You may find a negligible difference 👍🏼
Yes it will cause some Co2 loss because of gas exchange promoted by the trickle effect of the filter, that is why I removed my Fluval C4 when I bought a Co2 setup and then replaced the filter with a UNS Delta 90 canister filter
I would suspect you would unless it was a soil bottom pond then maybe not. I don't have any experience with high tech plants in ponds though so I am not sure!
Not to be rude, but I was expecting that there would be an answer to whether or not one should use aeration in a low tech tank or not. So, you’re basically saying there are two methods but find out for yourself?
I can’t say which method would be better because it depends. In summary there are two key points. If you have a lot of sources of natural co2 in your tank then aeration will likely reduce that co2 and you’re better off without the aeration. Natural co2 sources include lots of fish, organic breakdown, soil, etc. If you don’t have many sources of co2 then aeration will likely benefit you because you have little to no co2 in the first place. In this case adding aeration will likely increase co2 to an extent. Example: you have a gravel substrate, low fish stocking and little to no organic matter present. Hope that makes sense.
@Brensters63 no problem, this is a pretty old video. If I was to make it today I would have gone about things a bit differently to make it more clear. Good luck with your tank!
Definitely possible. If so you won't get the same level of pearling like you would in an injected tank. I see pearling more often in still water tanks or injected tanks.
Very helpful video i really appreciate all that information ,,, i really think you deserve MANY MANY MORE subscribers THANK YOU VERY MUCH
Thank you so much! I’ve been grinding for the last year releasing weekly videos. Subs are starting to come in but I have a lonnnnnng way to go lol. Thanks for the support!!!
Very, very helpful. There isn't enough material like this geared toward beginners and people with low-tech planted tanks.
Thank you! I put a lot of effort into this video so I appreciate the note. Glad you found this helpful. Hopefully others will too! 🌱
This is what I call clear and comprehensible information especially for first timers like myself. Thank you and much appreciated 👍
🙂
FINALLY! After searching and searching, this was the clearest info of all. Thank you. Subscribed. Regards from Portugal.
Seems its one and only video out there talking exactly about what I wanted to know!!! Thank you so much!
Im glad you found it helpful!
Finally I understand the co2 thing because of your video. THANK YOU! So what do you think if I run only a sponge filter on low, have aqua soil (stratum) and low tech type plants, moderate lighting on 8 hours a day, one Betta with no other fish in a 20 gallon. Nialog G ferts at half strength. What do you think my chances are at having a decent planted tank using this method?
You should definitely be able to have success with that setup. Just stick to the easy low tech plants as you mentioned. Occasional water changes. Good luck!
I realized I haven’t had notifications on for your channel! I’m a natural resources management undergrad. It’s awesome being able to apply the stuff we learn about ecology and biology to our aquariums. Another great video!
Phil Quezzy Thanks so much for the support!!! I love the science aspect of aquariums as well! Nice major choice, what year are you?
NW Aquahobby senior, just finishing up my last two classes this semester!
The home stretch!!! Congrats man. Good luck out there. I graduated back in 2015, I miss school no doubt. But you made a great choice with your major, all of the science related fields will become more and more important as our population grows. Best of luck!
Great video man. Helpful information for sure 👍🏻
Thanks!!! Hoping some people find it helpful 😊
This video made me subscribe. I understand the CO2 process so much better now.
Im glad you found it helpful! Thanks for the sub :)
This was very helpful. Do houseplants with their roots in the water of the aquarium increase CO2 in the tank? Would you explain the science behind it.
Just straight forward info, thank you.
No problem, thanks for watching and commenting :)
I'm actually considering high tech. but I like the way you explain it. Thanks ..
Nothing wrong with high tech tanks! Great way to get stunning results 😎, glad you enjoyed the video!
Very very helpful tip for beginners like me who don't know things like these and setup lotech planted tank. Very much appreciated. 💐💐💐
Glad you found it helpful :)
Wow, surface agitation like air stones and sponge filters increase CO2? I have an infestation of some staghorn algae thats just been covering and killing some of my stem plants for as long as I can remember. And the weird thing is my HOB filter output was on the minimum, but next to the sponge filter the plants near it had the most algae, especially the ones right below the bubbles. And after I turned that off and increased my HOBs flow, the algae stopped growing. I must be doing something wrong because I thought staghorn algae was a sign of low CO2...
Edit: Never mind, you explained it immediately after, and addressed my situation, which I haven't seen anywhere else on videos like these. Great video!
😁👍
Thank you!!!! This video was so informative. I am having a small BBA outbreak in my low tech so I'm educating myself more on how to balance my tank more effectively. Thanks for sharing what you've learned :)
Thanks for watching :)
Thank you so much for this video . I’ve been wanting a planted aquarium for my fish for so long and now i can finally do something for them . Thanks again for this information it helped me a lot
Excellent! I am glad you found the video helpful! Good luck with your setup :)
Good video! I Turned off the bubbler for now after watching this, see if that helps! :)
Sweet! Keep an eye on your fish :)
This channel rocks, love the high production value.
Thank you so much! I can’t thank you enough for the support! :)
Just stumbled on your channel and found it to be very informative and helpful, thanks a lot.
Thanks for the support! Glad you enjoy the content 😃
Just found your channel and im loving the indepth explanations. Subbed, 👍🏼👌🏽
Im glad you're enjoying the content! Thanks for the sub 😊
The Untold truth, the industry doesn't want you to know
Definitely! You don’t need pressurized CO2, high tech filtration, etc. for a beautiful aquarium. I mean that stuff helps but it is not required. I keep nothing but low tech aquariums at the moment and love it.
@@AquariumPlantLab which method do you use for them? Aeration or no aeration?
@@Brensters63almost exclusively no aeration. But I am typically working with organic potting soil capped with gravel. This organic substrate provides a source of co2 naturally. Aeration would off gas that co2.
@@AquariumPlantLab oh, I see. Thanks for sharing.
passive co2 is great for low tech to! just need a upside down glass under the water full of co2 you can also use a cut soda bottle and DIY a co2 source there's a lot of kits on amazon lol
I love passive co2!
i hope to do something like that, but what do i use to fill that glass bottle?
Nice vid and those Rums must be real happy in that tank. I know I am late to the party. First time viewer. Subbed. FWIW. :) Never seen anyone say that other than reducing NPK or light to increase CO2 in order for plants to be able to use it not algae.
Omg that finally makes sense! Thank you.
I am glad you found this helpful :)
I know, right?
Am I understanding this correctly or did I miss something? The two methords for adding Co2 in a low tech tank are bubblers for surface agitation, or to have your fish breath and plants live?
Thanks man! This was very informative! I’m looking forward to your other videos!
Hi Will, just had question about keeping CO2 in the water for my plants to thrive. I’m planning on starting a heavily planted low tech aquascape. I’m not going to be using an air stone for bubbles. However I will run an internal filter for water flow/filtration.
My question is, if I run the internal filter all the time and the flow doesn’t really break the water at the top, does that mean there is no surface agitation? Will I loose little or a lot of CO2 using this method?
What you are describing sounds like low surface agitation. Hard to say how well that setup will work without giving it a shot. I would suspect that it will work but I would be careful with your light levels. It will likely deplete CO2 during the day after the lights have been on for awhile. Too much light after that point could lead to algae. 👍
Yeh true.. ok thanks! :)
cheers and how to have both CO2 and oxygen in a low tech tank
You should be able to have sufficient quantities of both with the methods shown in this video, however, it is important to monitor your fish for awhile to make sure there is sufficient oxygen if you go with the no flow setup.
@@AquariumPlantLab Thanks NW cheers super video there
Very useful information delivered clearly.
👍🤓
Cool music 🤘🏻I was thinking ... I stop the pump from the filter .... I have a co2 indicator .... I watch until it turns green ... because normally it's always blue .... then when it's green I turn on the pump ... until it turns blue ... so I can calculate how long it takes the fish to consume oxygen from the water ... and put the pump on a timer ... I don't know, is that a good idea?
I like the idea! Would be fun to play around with! I know that drop checkers aren't the most accurate in the world, but you might be able to dial in a setup nicely with that method. Good thinking 😃
Creating surface aggitation won't get more CO2 in water, it will always equalise with the surrounding environment so it's just going to maintain that. To tray CO2 for longer you need a still surface.
Ponds have a lower PH and more CO2 because rain is slightly acidic, as are rotting leaves etc. But if you have a dry spell the PH will slowly climb and CO2 drop
If the plants are using all the available co2 available in the water then adding surface agitation can bring co2 back up to equilibrium with the environment, thus increasing co2. But if you have more co2 in the water than equilibrium then agitation will reduce back to equilibrium, that was the concept mentioned. Whether or not adding agitation will help depends on all those factors.
I see you leave some space without water on the top of the aquarium. Is that were the CO2 is been stored or it has nothing to do with it?
TY 4 this. Being a newbie @ this, I'm still trying 2 figure everything out. I'm still not sure, even after your vid, if I understand everything. I had set up my nano aquascape a few months ago. I don't have a test kit, but I think it's doing ok. The plants, fish & shrimp r doing well. I have a small amount of soil as the 1st layer of substrate, then sand & a layer of small gravel. I have lights on 4 just 8 hrs/day, every day. I've been doing weekly partial H2O changes & I still a some algae in 1of the 2 nano tanks, that r low tech & they r not filtered or using an air stone. I think I need 2 watch your vid again. Do u have any other suggestions 4 me? I would appreciate it.
Thanks this was very helpful
Thanks for watching and commenting! I am glad you found it helpful :)
You probably know already that Yeast while it's consuming sugar produces CO2. I don't think I could bring myself to turn off the air stones etc...My plants are growing fine low tech and in gravel.
Awesome, you’re doing something right! Keep it up!
It's amazing
Really enjoy all of your content man!
Thank you sooo much!!! Means a lot :)
Love it . Great video keep them up !
Glad you enjoyed it :)
That was great science! subscribed and liked
Wait so you wanna say that the still surface maintains co2 yet my dropchecker is still blue
speaking of soil in low tech how do i know or test if the soil safe for fish? if seed shrimps or other micro organisms appear that means or indicate the soil safe for fish ?
Very interesting and well-explained video. What are your thought on a light siesta, thus creating 2 chances a day for the plants to give off co2?
I think a siesta is a great approach! I’ve never used a siesta myself but I totally follow the logic and Diana Walstad does a great job supporting the theory in her book (which I own 😃). Do you use a siesta in your setups?
@@AquariumPlantLab I am 3 months into a new tank and fighting some algae. Lights have dropped to 6 hours so I am going to see how that goes, then try the siesta later on.
I'm not sure I understand. Will air stone remove or add CO2? I have no filter. I'm thinking, maybe I should run air stone in the second half of the day, when plants photosintesize: it will enrich water with oxigen, which can be used by plants at night and they will produce CO2, and then use it when light goes on again.
Hi, is it possible to run these 2 methods together? For example turn off the sponge filter 2 hours before and during the lights is on to produce more co2 for the plants and turn it back on when the lights is off to get more o2 for both plants and fishes?
Run your bubbles at night. Photosynthesis is night and day sensitive .
Indeed, plants shift to respiration at night, consuming oxygen and releasing CO2 👍
Wouldn't night bubbles push out the co2 that's being produced by the plants at night?
@@AquariumPlantLab I have the same question as Igor, turning on the bubbles at night will bring oxygen to water, where the plants will need, but what about the CO2 that you just said in the video that will be released with water agitation? I am confused...
That is very useful video
Thank you very much,it helps me to improve my tanks a lot
And my channel as well 👌
Your information I used on videos as well
Hi Will, love the video. Just had a quick question.
I have a low tech 87L tank. No aqua soil, no CO2, just water, fish, rocks (gravel) and a few plants. Running I have a heater and a internal filter that circulates the water. Based on the video, an air stone can into CO2 into the water without CO2 injection and fish respiration of course..
My question is, should I have my air pump on during the day and turn it off at night? Or vice versa?
Thanks Will, shout out from Oz!
Glad you enjoyed this one! I would probably keep it on all the time actually. At night plants shift over to needing oxygen so your air pump will be a benefit at night. This will also keep all gasses constant throughout the day and night allowing your plants to adapt to a very consistent set of conditions. I would recommend a good quality liquid fertilizer or root tab depending on your plant species.
Outstanding video !!!!!!
Thank you! 😃
yeee right..
Yes yee!
Hello im here watching you c02.. nice information. Keep safe see you around
Same to you! Thanks for the comment :)
thank you!
😁
If you had surface agitation during the day and none at night would that encourage more growth?? Can you have too much CO2?
Big fan bro🤙
Hey! Thank you! 😊 Thanks for watching and commenting :)
So can still use sponge filter but i have to lower the surface agitation? or it is better not to use anything that can cause surface agitation?
Depends on lots of factors. As mentioned in the video I would try both and see what works best :)
Wonderful video.
Glad you enjoyed it!
So about decomposing matter making co2, is it possible to keep some organic matter just for decomposition in the tank or sump as a source of co2?
Having a dirted setup would likely be the best way to get natural co2 from organic decomp! 👍
@@AquariumPlantLab i have the tank setup with the commercial soil at the moment, but i have room on backsump, if its possible?
Can you drop in a piece of dry ice into the water?
Thanks so much for the video! I haven't seen any other video like this and this provides insights that others don't!
Can I get your thoughts on how a surface skimmer would affect co2 in a low tech tank? I have a lily pipe with a surface skimmer attached but after watching this video, I'm not sure if I should use it frequently or not.
I would imagine a surface skimmer to have an affect similar to that of an air stone, but probably less so. I would try running with and without and see how plants respond. You may find a negligible difference 👍🏼
Algae. Nice info.
What do you think about trickle filters. I got one myself that rocks but I think it must release soem co2 out.. right?
Yes it will cause some Co2 loss because of gas exchange promoted by the trickle effect of the filter, that is why I removed my Fluval C4 when I bought a Co2 setup and then replaced the filter with a UNS Delta 90 canister filter
How About in a Pond? do i need a co2 if i want to put hightech aquatic plants?
I would suspect you would unless it was a soil bottom pond then maybe not. I don't have any experience with high tech plants in ponds though so I am not sure!
@@AquariumPlantLab thank you so much! :)
Thanks for commenting :)
Not to be rude, but I was expecting that there would be an answer to whether or not one should use aeration in a low tech tank or not. So, you’re basically saying there are two methods but find out for yourself?
I can’t say which method would be better because it depends. In summary there are two key points.
If you have a lot of sources of natural co2 in your tank then aeration will likely reduce that co2 and you’re better off without the aeration. Natural co2 sources include lots of fish, organic breakdown, soil, etc.
If you don’t have many sources of co2 then aeration will likely benefit you because you have little to no co2 in the first place. In this case adding aeration will likely increase co2 to an extent. Example: you have a gravel substrate, low fish stocking and little to no organic matter present.
Hope that makes sense.
@@AquariumPlantLab thank you for clarifying. I appreciate it very much.
@Brensters63 no problem, this is a pretty old video. If I was to make it today I would have gone about things a bit differently to make it more clear. Good luck with your tank!
will my plant pearls with co2 from surface agitation?
Definitely possible. If so you won't get the same level of pearling like you would in an injected tank. I see pearling more often in still water tanks or injected tanks.
@@AquariumPlantLab thank you, I have another question, is waterfall filter good for surface agitation? will it release co2 in the water?
Hi! Plants only pearl when they reach their oxygen production to a point where it's saturated inside them and they begin expelling it.
If you hadn't mentioned aquariums people can take this as a guide to grow weed LMAO.
Haha 🤣
ahahahah
Hello
😉
Yeah but there is no plants that require high co2 in that tank
Correct. If you want particularly high demand plants you’ll need injected co2. This video was made for low tech tanks.
That’s not natural c02
I suppose the bubblers aren't natural 😂
sad i found this video after so many garbage sponsored videos where they teach nothing
😘😘😘🥰🥰🥰🥰❤️❤️❤️
😉
@@AquariumPlantLab ty welcome!!!
Are you half arab?
I am not! Mostly Swedish actually. What made you think that!? I am curious?
@@AquariumPlantLab eyes and facial structures!!!! Crazy sharp and handsome....plus those lovely beards maybe
Well thank you 😊 🤓
@@AquariumPlantLab 🥰🥰🥰welcome
@@PlantswithCoffee I thought the same thing - well, about the crazy handsome part lol