Is a Drop checker sufficient to monitor CO2 levels? Or is it better to calculate it based on PH and ( I believe) GH using a chart since a green drop checker simply means between 15 & 30 ppm? Also, I know it is always stressed that you need 4Dh solution, does it have to be exactly that? or simply at LEAST 4 DH so that I need not worry about it if I have hard water?
Drop checker questions
- Thread starter fwfan
- Start date
From what I've read, the drop checker is a better way of figuring out your co2 levels as long as you have 4dkh solution in your drop checker. Your pH and kH can give you a reading of co2 levels but depending on your other water chemistry, this way may not be too accurate.
Here is a cO2 calculator http://www.aquabotanic.com/charts.htm
Search for CO2 drop checker on the web and you will get a wealth of info.!
good luck!
Here is a cO2 calculator http://www.aquabotanic.com/charts.htm
Search for CO2 drop checker on the web and you will get a wealth of info.!
good luck!
Thanks. I actually already have a drop checker that I got from Big Al's. Its just that as I get more into plants wasn't sure if I should be doing the calculations or the drop checker was enough. How about the 4dhk? it is my understanding this references hardness. Is it enough to just use hard water? Or could someone point me to a link that expains dhk?
You want to be right at 4dKH or else it turns green at other CO2 concentrations - eg: 5dKH solution, it will start to turn green at or just above 30ppm instead of being green in the 15-30 range.
Thanks for the heads up. In that case I REALLY need a link to explain dkh, or at least a way to make a solution exactly 4dkh
Add 6g of pure Sodium BiCarbonate, (Baking Soda) to 5l of DI water to give you a solution at 40dKH.
Mix 10ml of this solution with 90ml of DI to give you 1l of 4dKH reference solution.
You can change the numbers a bit so you don't have to use 5l but you will quickly find out how little baking soda you need that will change the dKH.
A more detailed link: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/general-planted-tank-discussion/42429-kh-standard-how.html
Also: a little lengthy, but a good read: http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/...aquarium-projects/32100-diy-drop-checker.html
Mix 10ml of this solution with 90ml of DI to give you 1l of 4dKH reference solution.
You can change the numbers a bit so you don't have to use 5l but you will quickly find out how little baking soda you need that will change the dKH.
A more detailed link: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/general-planted-tank-discussion/42429-kh-standard-how.html
Also: a little lengthy, but a good read: http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/...aquarium-projects/32100-diy-drop-checker.html
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