We remember the excitement of buying my first CO2 injection device. At the time, it was a unique piece of equipment for planted aquariums. Nowadays, there are many CO2 injection devices available, but when you actually install them in an aquarium, many tend to look somewhat bulky, especially in smaller tanks. The CO2 System 74-DA, however, with its dedicated CO2 metal hook, can be installed neatly and looks sophisticated. Even the way the CO2 regulator DA attaches to the metal hook is also very satisfying, a reflection of the high quality of the craftsmanship behind it.
When beautifying a room with an aquascape, it’s important to consider how the surrounding equipment is installed. Now, regarding the actual cultivation of aquatic plants, the effect on stem plants is well-known, but CO2 injection also accelerates the growth of shade-loving plants like Anubias and Bucephalandra. However, whether the plants prefer full sunlight or shade, keeping the internodes (the spaces between the leaves) from growing too long is key to keeping aquatic plants beautiful, and this is where adjusting the CO2 injection levels becomes important. The amount of CO2 added needs to be controlled based on factors such as the type of aquatic plants, the density of planting, and the light intensity. This becomes part of one’s expertise and, through experience, one becomes aware of the importance of balancing such environmental factors. Is this not one of the enriching aspects of this hobby?

DATA
Photo taken on: April 24, 2024
Aquarium: Cube Garden W300×D180×H240 (mm)
Lighting: Sol Stand RGB (8.5 hours per day)
Filtration: Super Jet Filter ES-150 Ver.2 (Bio Rio G)
Material: Branch Wood, Tangerine Layer Stone, Hazel Gravel S (GR-03), Hazel Gravel (GR-04)
Substrate: Aqua Soil – Amazonia Ver.2, Power Sand Advance S, Bacter 100, Clear Super,Tourmaline BC
CO2: CO2 System 74-DA, 1 bubble two seconds via Pollen Glass TYPE-3
Aeration: 15.5 hours after the light is turned off using Lily Pipe Spin P-1
Additives: Brighty K, Green Brighty Mineral, Green Brighty Iron, Green Brighty Nitrogen
Water change: 1/3 once a week
Water quality: Temperature 25℃, pH：6.8, TH：50mg/L

Plants
❶ Wabi-Kusa Karen ❷Anubias barteri var. nana ‘Petite’ ❸Hygrophila pinnatifida ❹ Helanthium tenellum ‘Madeira’ ❺Persicaria hastato-auriculata ❻Taxiphyllum barbieri (Moss Bag) ❼Eichhornia diversifolia ❽Bucephalandra sp. ‘Sintang’

Fish
Hyphessobrycon elachys / Boraras brigittae / Nannostomus marginatus / Trichopsis pumila