The Japanese manufacturer Aqua Design Amano regularly shares useful knowledge and product information on how to set up and maintain Nature Aquariums or aqua-terrariums. In this issue, we turn to CO₂ fertilization, which is hugely important for healthy, well-growing plants, and we explain how to use ADA's new CO₂ Advanced System - Forest.

Optimal conditions for healthy plants and further reasons for supplying CO₂

In a Nature Aquarium, healthy, vigorous aquarium plants play an immensely important role. The basic requirements for healthy plant growth in an aquarium are nutrients, which are present in the substrate and supplied through liquid fertilizer, sufficient light for photosynthesis, and an efficient supply of carbon. Without additional CO₂ supply, the only carbon sources left are the CO₂ dissolved in tap water and the carbon dioxide from the air, which partly dissolves in the water. In addition, fish, invertebrates and bacteria exhale CO₂. When the plants carry out photosynthesis in the limited space of the aquarium, they use up the CO₂ in the water very quickly. If there is not enough carbon dioxide, photosynthesis stops. However, this process is essential for the plants: without CO₂, plant growth is not possible, and the plants wither. This is why ADA has developed systems for supplying CO₂ to the aquarium. For this we use liquid CO₂ for optimal carbon supply for photosynthesis: all Nature Aquariums designed by ADA are fertilized with such a CO₂ system. The new CO₂ Advanced System - Forest is a complete set for basic CO₂ supply, suitable for aquariums up to 60 cm long.

CO₂ Advanced System - Forest usage and new product features

The predecessor of the Advanced System was the CO₂ System 74-YA/Ver. 2 for small CO₂ cartridges with Pollen Glass, CO₂ Bubble Counter and the Cap Stand. The new Advanced System also incorporates the System 74-YA/Ver. 2, but it includes a Pollen Glass EZ (a dosing device with an integrated bubble counter) and the new Metal Cap Stand. The Pollen Glass EZ is easy to install, and its dual function as diffuser and bubble counter in a single device makes setting up the tubing much simpler. The set includes both gas-tight pressure tubing and transparent silicone tubing for connecting the parts. Assembly is very simple and straightforward (explained in the drawing further below). An aquarium 60 cm long with a capacity of approx. 60 l should be supplied with one bubble per second via the Pollen Glass EZ during the cycling phase. This rule of thumb is adjusted up or down depending on plant growth. The CO₂ supply should always be coupled to the light, so it starts when the lights above the aquarium come on and ends when they go off. We recommend a lighting period of 8-10 hours per day.

CO₂ Advanced System - Forest application example

CO₂ Bottle Forest

The CO₂ Bottle Forest is a new replaceable CO₂ cartridge for the CO₂ System 74 series. We gave the predecessor bottle, Tropical Forest, a new design that guarantees easy handling without packaging.

Pollen Glass EZ

The Pollen Glass EZ is a CO₂ diffuser in which the proven Pollen Glass forms a symbiosis with the CO₂ Bubble Counter. It is easy to install and also suits smaller aquariums such as the DOOA System Aqua 30.

CO₂ Metal Stand

A stainless steel stand for small CO₂ cartridges. This stand holds a CO₂ Bottle Forest securely. It has a larger footprint and a higher weight than the previous Cap Stands.

Setup example

Source and copyright of the article/photos - Aqua Design Amano - ADA