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The hybrid low-tech planted aquarium uses wood pellets for CO2 and chemical fertilization, blending Walstad and high-tech methods.

I define a “high tech planted aquarium” as an aquarium with CO2 gas injection to at least 20 ppm and high intensity LED lighting with blue and crimson components (“grow lights”).

The Walstad Method, created by Diana Walstad, offers a natural approach to setting up a planted aquarium. It emphasizes a balanced ecosystem where plants and fish support each other, requiring minimal maintenance. This method uses organic soil and gravel, eliminating the need for CO2 injection and frequent water changes.

CO2 From Food in the Aquarium is one “interesting” approach to providing carbon dioxide to the aquarium. ote I do NOT recommend this method. It is challenging, to say the least.

Most high-tech planted aquariums use a high-tech CO2 injection system. These systems are prone to failures and doing it cheap can get you in trouble.

KH pH CO2 Relationships in the Aquarium is called the “Bermuda Triangle” of aquarium chemistry with good reason. It is very complex and making simplistic assumptions about it can easily lead one astray and kill fish.

There are two low tech CO2 systems extant. One, an inverted bottle diffuser, is for ONLY small low tech tanks under 20 gallons (80 liters). The second, a “wide mouthed jar” diffuser, will work well for much larger aquariums. These type systems are often called “passive CO2 bottles”.