co2 help

[orangeguardguy]

Hello!

I have a question about pH and CO2. I am going to be running CO2 in my 10 gallon tank soon but with my normal water conditions, my pH sits at about 6.5 which is fine for my dwarf puffers as long as it's constant. My question is, when I start the CO2 I know it is going to lower the pH. How much of a dip should I expect? Will it be a constant level or swing back and forth. I plan on leaving the CO2 on all the time. Is there a way to raise the pH to a safer, constant level? Right now I have 2 w/g but the CO2 system is arriving with new bulbs and I will be at 4w/g. Also can you recommend a good test kit for a planted aquarium? I have read that 10ppm Nitrate and 1ppm Phosphate are good levels for plants but cannot find a good level for Potassium. What might you suggest?

Thanks in advance,

Jeremy

[Mgamer20o0]

api mast test kit.

well once it drops by 1 ph your at 30ppm give or take. co2 drop wont hurt the fish so no worries. i wouldnt bother messing with the ph. if your doing diy co2 is not going to be constant. the hotter the bottle the more co2 will be kicking out.
Potassium 10-20

[orangeguardguy]

Well I have to tell you. I was using test strips and decided to go out and buy one of those vile kits instead and I can not believe the difference. I knew something was funky because I know I have hard water but I was getting lowish pH readings. Well this new test put me at about 8.0, which is most likely accurate. They really shouldn't sell those test strips. They aren't worth a hoot! I'm glad now though because I was worried about introducing CO2 into my puffer tank but I know it'll be ok if I drop a point or so.

[midiamin]

I've had no problems with test strips.