Ozboc Posted June 26, 2007 Share Posted June 26, 2007 Just looking at the requirements for a good planted tank (with cichlids) -- and one of those is a good supply of Co2 - now my question is that co2 is used in soft drink to give the bubbles -- instead of an expensive co2 tank and system - why not just poor in some soda water / mineral water to the tank for the same effect ?? Comments welcome ..... Boc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLL Posted June 27, 2007 Share Posted June 27, 2007 HA, OK I can see the logic there BUT there are a few issues. CO2 is only held in softdrink while it is under pressure. Leave a glass of coke out for a short while and the fizz (CO2) is gone. If you were to put this in the tank then all (well, most) of the CO2 would fizz to the surface and escape. You need a constant supply of CO2 to plants and hence why these CO2 systems (yeast or bottle based) release a constant, small amount into the water. The concentration does not need to be huge, just constant while the lights are on. You can look at a DIY yeast setup which does not cost much at all. The other issue you may have is with the fish. Many cichlids like to play with or eat plants which makes it really hard to keep a planted tank with them and if you keep the water to the liking of africans then many plants will not thrive with a high pH. I am really into plants in general and love my planted tank but it is a cichlid free zone. My main cichlid tank has some jave fern tied around the place and this goes well but not much else gets a chance. Good luck John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vwboy53 Posted June 27, 2007 Share Posted June 27, 2007 I read a while back that using soda water for the co2 can alter the hardness of the water. Same goes for using the water in the tank. Don't know if there is any truth in it though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozboc Posted June 27, 2007 Author Share Posted June 27, 2007 I read a while back that using soda water for the co2 can alter the hardness of the water. Same goes for using the water in the tank. Don't know if there is any truth in it though. HI there , i actually work for a soft drink company ( name withheld) the soda water is just tap water filtered to 1 micron and de oxygenated ( and replaced with co2 ) so the hardness should no be an issue ... J-l Thanks for your input - makes a lot of sence might just stick with the cheap nasty plants as i dont mind the fishies attacking the greens in the tank Boc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vwboy53 Posted June 28, 2007 Share Posted June 28, 2007 HI there , i actually work for a soft drink company ( name withheld) the soda water is just tap water filtered to 1 micron and de oxygenated ( and replaced with co2 ) so the hardness should no be an issue ... Thanks good to know Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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