I thought I would post this for anyone/everyone using a drop checker to monitor their co2 levels in the aquarium. As I've been researching, I've come across some VERY interesting facts about how to measure ACCURATE co2 in your tank.
Use Chucks planted tank co2 calculator/table AND a drop checker with distilled water to have an accurate reading. Here is a good summary taken from a post at aquaticplantcentral.com:
You need to look at one of the pH/KH CO2 charts and figure out where you want your CO2 levels. At a KH of 4, and a pH at 6.6, you have 30ppm of CO2. At a KH of 5 (what I'm running) you have a CO2 of around 38 to 40ppm. The pH regent will be green at a pH of around 6.6.
You need to use pure water (RO/DI, distilled, etc) and add enough baking soda to get your water to whatever KH you want (this is the fun part - trust me, it doesn't take much baking soda). You then put this water in the drop checker and add a few drops of pH test regent. You want it dark, but not so dark that you can't see through it.
It will be BLUE when you first put it all together. After about 2 hours, you will see that it has changed. If green, your good. Yellow, to much CO2; still blue, not enough CO2.
I noticed in my ADA catalog, they say to use your aquarium water. This won't give you an accurate measurement because of other contaminates in the water. I guess it would give you some kind of idea?
I wish I knew this before using my drop checker!:idea: :bowing:
Use Chucks planted tank co2 calculator/table AND a drop checker with distilled water to have an accurate reading. Here is a good summary taken from a post at aquaticplantcentral.com:
You need to look at one of the pH/KH CO2 charts and figure out where you want your CO2 levels. At a KH of 4, and a pH at 6.6, you have 30ppm of CO2. At a KH of 5 (what I'm running) you have a CO2 of around 38 to 40ppm. The pH regent will be green at a pH of around 6.6.
You need to use pure water (RO/DI, distilled, etc) and add enough baking soda to get your water to whatever KH you want (this is the fun part - trust me, it doesn't take much baking soda). You then put this water in the drop checker and add a few drops of pH test regent. You want it dark, but not so dark that you can't see through it.
It will be BLUE when you first put it all together. After about 2 hours, you will see that it has changed. If green, your good. Yellow, to much CO2; still blue, not enough CO2.
I noticed in my ADA catalog, they say to use your aquarium water. This won't give you an accurate measurement because of other contaminates in the water. I guess it would give you some kind of idea?
I wish I knew this before using my drop checker!:idea: :bowing: