Do I need CO2 injection?

[Corey]

I am considering consolidating my 45g attempt at a brackish planted tank into a 20g freshwater planted tank with lots of snails (for my puffers) and a few fish.

I would be using a 50/50 60 watt PC, so 3 watts/gallon.

I don't know much about C02 or particularly want to spend the money on a system, so just wondering if algae would take over at this lighting level or if I need C02 injection.
If I do need it, is there a supplement I could use rather than having to inject it?
If there's no way of getting around c02 injection, can anyone recommend me an idiot-proof kit that would be suitable for a tank this size?

Any input is appreciated,
Thanks.

 

[neilanh]

Above 2WPG it's recommended to get some CO2 in there. You can do a pressurized system, or a DIY system. You can also consider dosing Flourish Excel, but that gets costly too.

But, if you have a 60W system, and run a 50/50, that's really only 30 W of usable light to the plants, therefore you'd only be at 1.5WPG, and could get away with no CO2.

 

[rkilling1]

Since you have a 50/50 bulb, you are only going to be running @ 1.5 WPG. 03 does not promote that much plant growth. You will be fine without CO2.

 

[Corey]

Ohh, okay. I didn't realize that about the 50/50.
Sounds like that'd be pretty much perfect then - I don't think any of the plants I have are very light demanding.

Thanks!