Few details are given about the exact contents of ‘Liquid carbon’ solutions. Over 45 days, we compared the plant and algae growth in an aquarium receiving liquid carbon against one not receiving any supplement and one aquarium with injected CO2. The plant growth in the tank with liquid carbon was minimal compared to the control tank. Liquid carbon is no replacement for actually injecting CO2 in your tank. It may be able to help starting up a low tech tank but other practices are better at limiting algae growth or cheaper in providing actual CO2.
FertilizationSome claimed that they are able to grow great plants just by adding these time-released capsules and no water column fertilizers. But if these granules release nutrients into the water column, is there really a case of no water column fertilizers? Does an undisturbed sand-cap allow any nutrients to escape ? Here look into the ammonia, phoshpate and other nutrients released from these granules over 20 days in experimental aquariums with and without sand cover.
Fertilization