CO2 Infusion. The most important of
all.
As we have
already mention in order for an aquarium to work you need live plants. But in
order for the plants to work you need a CO2 infusion system. The reason for
this is that plants need CO2 to grow, making CO2 the most important plant
nutrient and without it you can have no plants. No plants no aquarium!
A proper
CO2 infusion system comprises of to 'parts' the electronic PH controller and
the CO2 regulator with solenoid vale.
The PH controller
is the device that you set the desired PH value for your tank and the unit is
opening or closing the solenoid valve of the regulator, allowing more or less
CO2 in your tank.
Please note
that this setup is important because CO2 is lowering your PH and without a controller
the PH value can drop very low making your water acidic thus 'burning' all your
fish!
The desired
PH value depends on your fish. PH 7.0 is neutral. On most occasions a value of
7.1 or 7.2 (alkaline water) is sufficient. However, for Amazon River fish a
value of 6.8 (acidic water) might be more appropriate.