Newbie...CO2 question

[Detox]

To those who can help,

I have been all through the boards and I really like the way people provide good feedback here.

I am new to the world of aquariums and live plants. I am starting small, 10 gal with 2.2/watts per gallon. only a few tetras for fish and a darn chinese algae eater (I am now looking for an SAE)

After reading all of the great articles on DIY CO2 injection I decided to give it a go. I followed the standard 2litre pop bottle methose and I have an airstone on the end of the tube in my aquarium.

I use a mini aqua clear filter (doesn't seem to be much surface turbulance) Anyway, I watch the bubbles leave the air stone, float to the surface and poof, they are gone.

Is my tank water absorbing any of this CO2, if not what do I do. Please keep in mind I only have a ten gallon tank, so additional devices need to be small.

Thanks

[Jeremy S]

First off welcome to AC Detox!! I’m glad you joined and hope you’ll find it helpful.:cool:

Here is a good link on different types of reactors. (http://www.thekrib.com/Plants/CO2/) If you scroll down to about 2/3 from the bottom of the page it has a good section on different types of reactors.
For a while I had my DIY CO2 tubing going right up the intake of my aquaclear mini filter. This works to dissolve the CO2 but it got annoying since every time a CO2 bubble would go into the aquaclear you could hear the impeller crushing it. I eventually built my own reactor out of an old fish food bottle and a power head.

BTW I would also not recommend a SAE since they will get way too big for a 10-gallon tank.

[djlen]

Detox -
Get yourself a pH and kH test kit so you can measure the absorption rate of the CO2 that will be in the water table. It is potentially dangerous for the fish to inject CO2 if you don't know these factors and test for CO2 content.
BTW, there is a much safer method for dosing carbon into the water for a tank of 10 gal. Seachem Flourish Excel is an excellent carbon source and if you follow the directions you don't have to worry about over-dosing or explosions. The reason I mention explosions is that air stones are not a very safe or effective way to distribute the gas into the tank. They have a tendency to clog and can cause too much pressure in your 2 liter bottle.
If you want to continue with the DIY set up that you now have, run the end of the tubing from the 2 liter into the bottom of the siphon tube on your AC. This method, though not the best, is better than the air stone, and much safer.

Len

[Detox]

Hey guys,

I really appreciate the response. I never thought of the air stone clogging, or the idea of running the air tube into the intake of the aquaclear (this method sounds like a good one) Last night I tried the upside down dish, but notices my fish were a little lethargic this morning. Tonight I am headed out to get a large test kit so I can start posting my stats.

What are your thought on using something upside down in the tank to catch the airbubbles and then letting them disolve passively?

Also, if I use the aquaclear, will I still lose a lot of CO2 ? How to I get the hose into the intake on the aquaclear?

Thanks

[promethean_sprk]

I run the tube into the back of the aquaclear so that the bubbles are trapped under the sponge, then make sure that the water blows down into the tank instead of across the surface.

There's also a little hole on the input side of my aquaclear, that happens to fit an airline snugly. I've connected it to that as well. I don't really know where that goes but bubbles ended up on my sponge.

Neither method causes the impeller to click.

[djlen]

If your fish are sluggish, I would not run CO2 into the tank at night until you have checked your pH/kH parameters and posted them here..
CO2 can become toxic to fish, especially at night when the plants are not up taking the gas/acid and the concentration of it stays in the water table. If it turns out that you have a strong kH and it can buffer your water properly, then go ahead and run it at night.
Until you know though, I suggest you don't run it at night.
If you look at the AC siphon tube on the tapered end at the bottom, there is a plastic bar that runs across the bottom. If you take a small drill bit and CAREFULLY drill that bar out enough the air line will fit in there snuggly.
Just don't run the CO2 at night until after checking the kH and pH.

Len

[Detox]

You guys are great, I really like the quick responses.

I am off in an hour to pick up a test kit so I can start giveing you guys tank levels (hopefully eventually Iwill be able to help others)

I am home from work now and my fish seem better, when I put food in they came to the top without too much hesitation. The tank does look a little cloudier than normal though, not quite a haze but not crystal clear like I am used to.

I took a look at my aquaclear, does puting the tube in that little whole on the intake side do anything at all? Do you find your CO2 levels are where you want them to be with this method? Or should I simply but the air hose under the sponge on the otherside?

Thanks

[Jeremy S]

Originally posted by Detox
Last night I tried the upside down dish, but notices my fish were a little lethargic this morning.

Like djlen said you probably should either not run your CO2 at night or have an air pump turn on after the lights go out.



Originally posted by Detox
Tonight I am headed out to get a large test kit so I can start posting my stats.

That’s a great idea just make sure to get both a KH and a pH test kit. You can go here (http://www.csd.net/~cgadd/aqua/art_plant_aquacalc.htm) to download a calculator that gives you your CO2 levels once you have tested for your KH and pH levels.


Originally posted by Detox
What are your thought on using something upside down in the tank to catch the airbubbles and then letting them disolve passively?

The problem with this way of dissolving the CO2 is that it takes a very large container or bowl and since you don’t have any water movement going through the CO2 it will probably fill up the container. Then you will just be wasting CO2 but it really depends on how much CO2 you need for your tank.


Originally posted by Detox
Also, if I use the aquaclear, will I still lose a lot of CO2 ?

As long as you have the water level up to the base of the filter you should be fine.



Originally posted by Detox
How to I get the hose into the intake on the aquaclear?


I just pushed my CO2 tubing right up the strainer intake of the filter. It takes a little work but it does fit without any modifications.

[Detox]

Ok guys,

I went out and bought myself a test kit here are the results.

pH - 6.0-6.4 (I would say closer to 6.0)
GH - 11 (196.9 ppm)
KH - 5 (89.5 ppm)
Nitrites - 0 ppm
Ammonia - 0.25 - 0.50 (closer to 0.25)

According to the pH/KH chart for CO2 I am in the range of 149 mg/l.

Now what, according to that chart I am killing my fish, can someone please interpret these reults. I thought CO2 would raise the pH.

I appreciate the help

[djlen]

This is the problem with getting home from work at 2:00am. I hope that when you read this it isn't too late for your fish.
I hope you shut down the CO2 before you turned off the lights.
You are going to have to regulate your CO2 down....it's too high and will kill fish at that level. Better yet......shut it down and if the fish are in distress do a 20% water change to try to bring pH back up slowly......wait an hour and do another 20% water change. After each water change test for pH and continue the process until it levels off at no lower than 6.8 - 7.0. You know how to do a safe water change, checking temp and adding Tap Water Conditioner, right?
CO2 drives pH down because basically it adds acid to the water table. You've got too much acid in your water.
Did you just set this tank up? You should have no traces of ammonia in an established tank.
Tell us when you set the tank up, what kind of plants you have in it and what kind of substrate. One other thing.....is there any wood in the tank? By that I mean driftwood.

Len

[Detox]

Update....

First of all those Chemistry Kits are great. The tank has been setup for quite some time, in the magnitude of months. The reason for sudden questions was due to me wanting to add CO2 for optimal plant growth.

Once I looked at the CO2 chart last night I immediately shutdown the CO2 completely. Unfortunately, I did not do any water changes. Also, I lost 1 maybe 2 algae eating shrimp that I just bought yesterday (the other two are ok though)

Now for the good news.

My pH is now 7.4
My KH is 4

That puts my CO2 at 5 mg/l

As for plants I have 5 plants, not sure all of there names.

I think the ammonia levels were due to the water changes I did Friday late evening, when I was initially worried about the CO2.

Once again thanks for the response. My fish look much more livelyt this morning, and I really hope my Shrimp make it because they are already doing a great job on the beard algae.

[djlen]

Good....I was worried last night.
Now you want to just let the tank stabilize itself and make your changes in small increments, paying close attention to pH changes along the way.
I would suggest that you consider the Flourish Excel for carbon dosing as you have a tiny tank and pH swings will create a lot of stress for the fish.
If you decide to continue with the DIY CO2 you might consider one of those Hagen ladder type(passive) reactor for your tank.
I use one in my Hospital tank(a ten also) and it does a pretty effective job. Just watch the pH until you learn how your injecting/dosing affects it.

Len

[Detox]

Many thanks for all of the great help. My aquarium currently looks great. I am in the process of looking for just the Hagen ladder type thin but it is tough to find up here in Canada. Usually it require purchasing the entire system.

I was so worried about diffusing the CO2 that I think i over did it for my 10 gallon. Last night I put the CO2 back in, only this time I let it bubble free and only a few inches from the top. Today my pH is 7.0 KH 4-5 which puts my CO2 in optimal range, but I am keeping a really close eye on it.

Thanks again.