Noticed when backing off of CO 2 some plants actually got better

Hi Jeff. That's interesting. How much did you back-off Co2?

 

I've never once seen this is any of my tanks and the number of tanks and plant species are staggering after 20+ years.........
I suppose some folks can really be over gassing their tanks, and they were larding it on, in such cases, I suppose it could be possible.

Every time I've ever tried it, poor plant growth, algae etc. With some species, they might be adapting fast, better than others. But some species may not.
With more light, you will also find this much less likely I would suggest.

 

It is funny thank Ambulias is one of the few plants are still struggling in my tank, whereas they used to grow like crazy when My tank was low-tech... Eager to know Tom's thoughts.

 

After 100+ tanks with plants, I think I'd see some correlation if there was much to this claim.
Sure, 1% or less, heck, that's possible for many things that you'd never associate together.

Those are just my stats, but after helping folks for decades, you sort get a good idea.
I've yet to see such a case in person, I hear folks doing this every so often.

But only on the web.

Locals I've looked, but the CO2 was way over dosed in the 2 cases.
They had like, 4 fish in 75 gallon tank.........
They reduced and were okay.

Some though they had more CO2 than they did, but removed a light that changed their pH meter probe , I assume from stray current.
Many other things go on.

But if I do this on purpose on a well run tank, it have never once been good.
Now I've also done this inadvertently as well..the CO2 tank runs out of gas, the CO2 line popped off...........etc.
The results are not better growth in every case.

Now a CO2 reactor might be better at dissolving the CO2 at a lower rate say, than at a higher one.........and less mist and haze might help.
There's might other stuff going on, hard to say with little information except just one change mentioned.

When you say "changed", you mean better, worse, stinky dead plants, death? This does not sound better to me.

Similar to my own 70 gal and 120 gallon, they are only off by 5 gallons

Those real fast growing plants, try taking them out and seeing.
I bet they are just beating up on the others for CO2. Ferts are not likely the issue here.
One or a few aggressive weeds often show signs of a CO2 issue, they compete better than other plants for limited CO2 and lighting.

This occurs naturally in nature.

 

This is true in natural systems, and likely even more true to in a dense confined space like a planted tank.
I think when folks are having a nagging semi minor issue, and they see some plants doing very well, but others, not so much...............
This is a clear sign or CO2 being off a bit for those wimpier plants, but not the aggressive weeds.

Maybe it's KH for some plant species, or some other cause, or a mix of several causes.
But CO2 is just a huge massive factor in submersed weed growth. It cannot be overstated.

I've never seen a case personally where backing off the CO2 helped the plants, fish? Yes, plants? Never in any of my tanks, not even once.
I've done this many times, on purpose and inadvertent. Algae, poor growth etc.

Never have the plants just suddenly gotten better/more growth etc.

Some combination of factors might cause folks to think this is the case, but if you isolate the CO2, and then do this with a well run tank, I'm highly skeptical, I'll want to know the details on your methods, because I've never been able to demonstrate or show this.
Algae fear and threats?

Come on, I can fix those easily.
The naysayers? They still fear and have algae and growth issues.
So methods and the lack of control in their test really cause me to think they have overlooked and not done good methods to support their results.

If you have the controls, you have consistency, you can produce several nice well run tanks without any issues for a wide range of plants, then you have a reference, now you have good methods and can vary the CO2 and see if the claim has merit.
The claim very well might have merit, but I've never seen it in 20+ years, so I'm going to be very interested in how the test was set up. I should be able to duplicate it.

So should others.

 

I buy that rational, the diffuser can be more efficient since it produces finer mist and current is better able to mix that versus a higher rate with large bubbles that rise up too fast to become dissolved.
But if you use a method that is not dependent on a diffuser, but rather a reactor or a high mix rate and long return lines etc for longer contact times, then you will never see this.

I've long said that diffuser disc have issues.
The good part: you can see if the rates of CO2 drop and if the gas is stopped for any reason easily.

The bads:

1. They clog, this changes the diffusion rates
2. They need cleaned
3. It's something else inside the aquarium.
4. They suck on larger tanks
5. They required high out put pressure
6. The bubble sizes change over time.
7. Like CO2 mist from venturis, they add mist all over the place.
8. They break easily
9. Good diffusers cost a fair amount of $$$(ADA were by far, the best ones I used)

I've used them on various tanks over maybe 10 years. I'll never use them personally again.

 

Well, let's frame it a different way; if you use say an ADA beetle 50, vs a small ADA knock off off ebay for a 60p tank, which is going to provide a more consistent CO2 concentration?

Bubble rates do not automatically translate into stable CO2 ppm inside the aquarium.

They should, but that assumes the METHOD of diffusion is also stable, that's not the case with disc diffusers.
It IS the case with reactors however.

Smaller nano tanks also have a similar problem due to degassing from evaporation and HOB filters current patterns.
My tanks have reactors, and wet/dry with large sumps, surface skimming etc.

All these things lead to more stable degassing rates as well as more stable CO2.

Matt, a very simple routine is to keep a Lee's specimen fish catching container near by. Take the diffuser out with the CO2 running and soak in some bleach water/or spray with tilex and allow the gas to run through for 10-15 minutes.

Dump the bleach /tilex water out. Rinse the diffuser a couple fo time, fill the container with some water and add dechlorinator, wait another 10 minutes, then return. Since the container hangs on the tank, this is a very easy routine to clean it.
As easy as humanly possible.

And no spills and rough next to the tank so you do not have to remove the CO2 line etc.
The pressure from the CO2 also blows out the bacteria and the crud while bleaching it.

H2O2 also works and is milder.