Yes CO2 is better for plants, but you can have healthy plants without CO2. I don't disagree with you either girth, but I consider my plants healthy, even though I don't have CO2. They don't show signs of deficiency right now. And I don't have much algae at the moment...just a few spots on the glass (in my 55g). I fertilize them weekly and they are very happy. Not everyone can buy pressurized CO2 for all their planted tanks.
I would love to, but its just not possible right now.
locojay: You have plenty of time to decide what lighting you want and if you want to get into CO2. Think about it....read the posts...you can google CO2 and see if you think its for you. But, you can have a planted tank without injecting CO2.