CO2 Levels

PPM=Parts Per Million

A "drop checker" is the easiest (and best, IMO) way to monitor CO2 in an aquarium. Search that term here or at most any fish forum. You may also end up searching "4dKH solution". There are several DIY and premade solutions to the drop checker container, there are also ready-made 4dKH standard solutions available. The "indicator" solution is generally just a dilute bromothymol blue indicator - just like that in the pH bottle in API test kits.

I suggest getting this one. (test kit)

If you haven't read it yet, check out Rex Grigg's guide to planted tanks www.rexgrigg.com

check out this thread, it may help:

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=141832

This is the type that you will want to get http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/group/11110/product.web

It give you a continuous reading there is also a DIY replacement solution to save you some $

Well, CO2 at 30ppm merely provided non limiting CO2 assuming good nutrients and high lighting.

Adding less light, say 1.5w/gal will require perhaps only 15-20ppm for non limiting values, whereas 30-35ppm will provide non limiting CO2 for higher light, say 5 w/gal.

So you have more wiggle room with less light.
So making a general statement really does not cover all your bases with the 30ppm CO2 level.

Non CO2 tanks also work very well, and the tanks are CO2 limited.
But the key is CO2 stability in such tanks, that allows the plants to adapt slowly and grow at much slower rates with less light generally.
This works very well also, and CO2 levels might be 1-3ppm or so.

But, many make the mistake of getting high light when they buy CO2 systems.........

Then they have trouble keeping good CO2.
Good current, consistent pruning etc, all make a huge difference also.

Regards,
Tom Barr

like that info Tom...so is there a sliding scales of recommended co2 versus level of lighting?

depends on the plants you are keeping, i would say that you have medium level of lighting, making it suitabe for low, low-medium or medium level lighting plants, but not medium-high, high or very high.