CO2 or other possible

IceH2O

IceH2O

Bazinga
Nov 26, 2005
1,682
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Rock Hill,South Carolina
Real Name
Ice
Okay I decided to not do infusion. I'll never be above 2 wpg so I'll stick with low/medium light plants. I don't need quick growth, slow growth will be fine.

I still need to get CO2 levels higher. What possible choices do I have?

I plan, changes everyday but I'm almost positive this is what I'll do, on using 50/50 play sand/flourite substrate.

Is there a way to raise KH without raising the PH higher?

Or am I stuck needing to do infusion?

I know the steps need for infusion as I have discussed it with other posters in this posting http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=65685

I'm trying to find a way around CO2 infusion.
 
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Have you thought of using Flourish Excel?

KH can be raised by placing a small bag of crushed coral in your filter or by dosing baking soda (a temporary solution requiring regular re-dosing). I know for sure that baking soda will not raise pH but only the kH, not so sure about Crushed Coral.
 
That I already know about but thanks.

The coral also raises PH.
The baking soda is just a quick fix, but I guess if its my only choice I could just add it every morning forever.

The Flourish is just a nutrient supplement not a CO2 alternative. I'll worry about that in another post ; )
 
Captain Hook said:
If you're not going to inject CO2, why are you worrying about your KH?
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If I could keep my PH around 7 which it usually is at and raise my KH then my CO2 rises.A KH of 8-10 with my PH at 7 = a CO2 of 25-30 ppm.

reiverix, Guess I was thinking of something else. That is a good option to consider then.
 
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Playing the water chemistry numbers will eventually make you go nuts. That is why most people recommend crushed coral to "permanently" raise KH. That takes away from adding something everyweek to "even" out the system.

Further, just because you change one aspect of the PH/KH/CO2 relation does not mean you magically raise CO2. See here for what Chuck Gadd has to say - good article. From his website :
This is a common misconception when using the CO2 / KH / pH table. It appears that by altering any parameter, the other values should move. But this is not true. Treat the pH value you see as a result. If you alter the KH, then the pH will move. If you alter the CO2 level, then the pH will move. The pH will always react to changes in either of the other two parameters.
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Just a heads up

Finally, Flourish Excel is a really good CO2 alternate for smaller tanks and also doubles as an unofficial "algae killer" in some cases.

Good Luck

Aries
 
The only way I know to increase CO2 is by injecting CO2, otherwise you'll be sitting at ambient levels. If you raise your KH by adding baking soda, pH will rise also.
 
I figured I'd have to go that route.

Dosing Excel in a 75 gallon wouldn't be worth the trouble.

I guess I'll wait and see what type parameters I end up with before deciding.

I'm still not sure what substrate I'll be using.

A 50/50 of play sand and flourite is what I expect to use. I don't think either will change my parameters though.
 
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