10 Aquatic Plants That Grow Without CO2 | Create a Beautiful Tank on a Low Budget

Many people think CO2 supplementation is essential for planted tanks, but you can actually create a beautiful tank without CO2. Since this saves on the initial equipment costs and ongoing expenses for CO2 systems, it's perfect for beginners and those looking to start on a tight budget. In this article, we introduce 10 carefully selected aquatic plants that grow vigorously without CO2 supplementation.

1. Anubias Nana

• Characteristics: Hardy and difficult to kill, a classic beginner aquatic plant. Features beautiful thick deep green leaves
• Ease of care: ★★★★★ (Easiest)
• Layout tips: Attach to driftwood or rocks as the basic usage. If planting directly in substrate, be careful not to bury the rhizome. Positioning as a mid-ground accent adds visual impact

2. Microsorum (Java Fern)

• Characteristics: A fern-type aquatic plant with distinctively shaped leaves that create a natural feel. Many varieties available including Pteropus, Windelov, and Narrow Leaf
• Ease of care: ★★★★★
• Layout tips: Looks best when attached to driftwood. Place in the background or mid-ground and allow plenty of space as it grows large

3. Vallisneria

• Characteristics: Beautiful tape-like long leaves that sway gracefully in water current. Reproduces via runners and spreads even if left alone
• Ease of care: ★★★★☆
• Layout tips: Planting densely in the background creates a natural layout that conveys water flow. Grows quickly so regular trimming is needed

4. Willow Moss

• Characteristics: An attaching moss plant that naturally spreads on driftwood and rocks. Excellent as a hiding place for fry and shrimp
• Ease of care: ★★★★★
• Layout tips: Attach to driftwood by wrapping with fishing line or adhesive. Grows well even in low light, so it can be used in shaded areas

5. Amazon Sword

• Characteristics: A large rosette-type aquatic plant that becomes the focal point of the tank. Hardy and beginner-friendly
• Ease of care: ★★★★☆
• Layout tips: Position a single plant as the focal point slightly toward the back of the center. Suitable for 60cm or larger tanks as it grows large. Strong root development makes substrate nutrition important

6. Cryptocoryne Wendtii

• Characteristics: Reddish-brown leaves with subtle charm. Becomes very hardy once the environment stabilizes
• Ease of care: ★★★★☆
• Layout tips: Planting several together in the mid-ground creates a natural appearance. "Crypt melt" may occur after introduction, but the plant will recover if the roots are alive

7. Hornwort

• Characteristics: A floating plant without roots. Grows extremely fast and has high water purification ability
• Ease of care: ★★★★★
• Layout tips: Weigh down in the background or let it float on the surface. Grows quickly so trim regularly to maintain balance

8. Bucephalandra

• Characteristics: An attaching plant native to Borneo. Beautiful leaves with metallic sheen and high collector appeal
• Ease of care: ★★★★☆
• Layout tips: Attach to rocks or driftwood and position as an accent in the mid-ground to foreground. Slow-growing but easier to maintain for that reason. Leaf color and shape vary significantly between varieties

9. Hygrophila Polysperma

• Characteristics: One of the hardiest stem plants. Bright green leaves create a fresh impression
• Ease of care: ★★★★★
• Layout tips: Plant together in the background to create a lush bush. Grows quickly so maintain shape with regular trimming. Easily propagated by replanting cut stems

10. Spiral Vallisneria

• Characteristics: A Vallisneria relative with leaves that twist spirally. Its unique shape adds movement to the tank
• Ease of care: ★★★★☆
• Layout tips: Planting to one side of the background creates natural flow. Interesting when combined with regular Vallisneria

Tips for Success in CO2-Free Tanks

Following these points will increase your success rate when not supplementing CO2:

• Use modest lighting: High light is not necessary. 7-8 hours of lighting per day is sufficient
• Use liquid fertilizers: Supplement with potassium and trace element liquid fertilizers to make up for the lack of CO2
• Use nutrient-rich substrate: Using nutrient-rich soil helps with nutrient absorption through the roots
• Perform regular water changes: Maintain water quality with weekly water changes of about 1/3 volume
• Keep fish numbers moderate: CO2 produced by fish respiration also becomes nutrition for aquatic plants

Botachoku allows you to purchase easy-to-grow aquatic plants without CO2 directly from growers. Growers will kindly assist with questions like "Is it okay if I'm not supplementing CO2?" Why not start your first planted tank with Botachoku?

Layout Examples for CO2-Free Tanks

You can achieve sufficiently beautiful layouts without CO2 supplementation. For example, in a driftwood-focused layout, simply wrapping Willow Moss around the driftwood, attaching Anubias Nana at the base, and placing several Cryptocoryne in the mid-ground creates a natural aquascape. Densely planting Vallisneria in the background creates a green wall that sways with water flow and adds depth. In rock layouts, the popular configuration is attaching Microsorum to rocks and carpeting the foreground with Echinodorus Tenellus. The key is "building mainly with shade-loving plants, centered on attaching species." If you want to use stem plants, choose relatively hardy types like Hygrophila Polysperma or Rotala Rotundifolia. Even without CO2, you can maintain a beautiful aquascape year-round by continuing weekly water changes and liquid fertilizer additions. For small tanks, a 20-30cm cube is recommended as a good starting point for CO2-free planted tanks since the equipment can be kept compact.

Frequently Asked Questions About CO2-Free Tanks

Q. Can I create a foreground carpet without CO2?

A. You can create a gradually carpeting effect with New Large Pearl Grass without CO2. However, be prepared that it may take 2-3 months to complete. Glossostigma and Cuban Pearl Grass are difficult without CO2.

Foreground Plants That Grow Without CO2

Also refer to 10 Recommended Aquatic Plants That Grow Without CO2 for general selection of shade-loving and attaching plants (this article focuses on foreground plants and low-budget layouts).

Q. Does algae grow more easily without CO2?

A. Even without CO2, you can suppress algae with appropriate lighting duration (7-8 hours) and regular water changes. In fact, without CO2, aquatic plant growth is slower, which has the advantage of making it harder to disrupt nutrient balance. Adding algae-eating fauna like Yamato shrimp and Otocinclus provides additional peace of mind.