Carbonate Usage

DJDrZ

DJDrZ

AC Members
Jul 31, 2010
349
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0
Collegeville, PA
Hi all, longtime listener, first time caller. :-)
I have a 72G bowfront, Filstar XP3, rena heater in line, 4x65W CF bulbs, GKM. The filter has 2x 30ppi and 2x20ppi foam, 2 white filter pads (one is microfine) and a Bio Chemzorb and Phos-Zorb. I use RO water. After fighting for months with Greenwater (I think I bred diuron-resistant Volvox), the GKM has I think licked the problem...I am in milky water phase and that is clearing. The tank is lightly planted (but aiming for more). My problem is pH (which is actually what started me down the stoopit Greenwater problem, but that is for much later.
Anyhoo, I use Seachem acid buffer and alkaline buffer (learned my phosphate lesson the hard way). I am targeting 6.8, but my tank is consistently reading 7.5. My theory is that the plants are using the acid buffer carbonate immediately and leaving the alkaline buffer alone. Plants are back to growing!!!! The pH is relatively stable right here. I do does Florinaxis. No3 is 5-15 ppm. KH is 7, GH i s7.
So, the question I ask you, is it worth it to keep using the buffer? Is this indicative of a CO2 lack? I have been thinking about a DIY or cheap-o CO2 injector. Any help or suggetions are greatly appreciated.
 
pH is not the issue, CO2 is.

High light, not enough CO2, nutrients etc = algae.

Cut the light way down(1/2 this amount- run 2x 65W for 5 hours, then the other 2 for 5 hours with no overlap), consider adding CO2 etc.

Stop messing with pH buffers, use tap water, measure the KH and GH of the tap.

Plants do not care what the pH is, they want and use CO2.
Period. They will go after the HCO3 or your KH as a last resort..........for a carbon source. They greatly prefer CO2, which is extemely limiting in submersed conditions.

You will also get far more efficiency from the light instead of wasting it........and creating algae........if you add CO2 gas.

You are better off investing is a gas tank CO2 system than any DIY things with yeast, your tank is a bit large and even then.... a gas tank system is worth far more than you realize right now.

Regards,
Tom Barr
 
plantbrain said:
pH is not the issue, CO2 is.

High light, not enough CO2, nutrients etc = algae.
Boingo! Awesome, as I new here, I am reading around...and that was the very last thing I was thinking about. These lights are recycled from my old FOWLR tank, so it makes sense this is too much.

 Cut the light way down(1/2 this amount- run 2x 65W for 5 hours, then the other 2 for 5 hours with no overlap), consider adding CO2 etc.

I am almost due for new bulbs, should I go to 4x28W bulbs?
Stop messing with pH buffers, use tap water, measure the KH and GH of the tap.
Our tap here is hard, KH of 6, GH of 11. My targets are 5 and 10, but I guess this isn't that bad, eh?

Plants do not care what the pH is, they want and use CO2.
Period. They will go after the HCO3 or your KH as a last resort..........for a carbon source. They greatly prefer CO2, which is extemely limiting in submersed conditions.

You will also get far more efficiency from the light instead of wasting it........and creating algae........if you add CO2 gas.

You are better off investing is a gas tank CO2 system than any DIY things with yeast, your tank is a bit large and even then.... a gas tank system is worth far more than you realize right now.

Regards,
Tom Barr
Click to expand...
Thanks, when the master speaks, the student listens.
 
plantbrain said:
pH is not the issue, CO2 is.

High light, not enough CO2, nutrients etc = algae.

Cut the light way down(1/2 this amount- run 2x 65W for 5 hours, then the other 2 for 5 hours with no overlap), consider adding CO2 etc.

Stop messing with pH buffers, use tap water, measure the KH and GH of the tap.

Plants do not care what the pH is, they want and use CO2.
Period. They will go after the HCO3 or your KH as a last resort..........for a carbon source. They greatly prefer CO2, which is extemely limiting in submersed conditions.

You will also get far more efficiency from the light instead of wasting it........and creating algae........if you add CO2 gas.

You are better off investing is a gas tank CO2 system than any DIY things with yeast, your tank is a bit large and even then.... a gas tank system is worth far more than you realize right now.

Regards,
Tom Barr
Click to expand...

thanks for the information
I'm struggling with this too :)
really appreciate your help :)
 
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