Even without extra CO2 there is still some CO2 in water and plants starts 光合作用 immediately when there is lighting. It's just a matter of how fast it does...it can be so slow that you don't see any bubble because all Oxygen are dissolved into water or used up by fish.
for new tanks, water plant need time to adapt to environment. It will slow down all its growth or you don't notice any change.... just be patient...
Measuring CO2 Level: can refer to this
http://www.csd.net/~cgadd/aqua/art_plant_co2chart.htm
But bear in mind if you are using ADA mud, the result is not very accurate... because PH level has been impacted by ADA mud - I don't know how much. So the link I guess it is still roughly ok as reference.
There is no fixed scientific formula here....
Your best bet is still by your own observation, if after several weeks you see your plants start to grow then you are ok
BTW, isn't it more fun without a fixed rule in aquarium?
