adding co2....manually not via injection system

James0816

James0816

AC Members
Feb 14, 2007
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I would like to add co2 to a non stocked 10g tank to help promote growth. i'm dosing small amounts of excel twice weekly as well. can't you just ad a small amount of baking soda to the tank or is there more to it than that? if so...about how much? disolve in a glass first or just sprinkle in?

thx
 
I know baking soda increases KH, but I've never heard it being used to increase CO2 levels in an aquarium. Although the bubbles generated by adding baking soda to water are due to a release of CO2, the small amount of CO2 generated by a sprinkle of baking soda wouldn't be a large enough quantity or remain in the water long enough to benefit your plants. On the other hand, yeast-generated CO2 can be an effective way to improve plant growth. If your KH is already normal or high, there wouldn't be much point to adding baking soda anyway.
 
You are making a common mistake. You look at the CO2 chart and think that if you raise your KH your pH will stay the same and you will have "magic" CO2.

The problem with this is that when you add baking soda to raise the KH the pH also goes up. You can't get CO2 into an aquarium unless you are adding CO2. Playing games with the pH or KH doesn't add CO2.

The CO2 chart is based on bicarbonates (baking soda) being the only buffer and the ONLY thing used to lower pH is CO2.
 
thx...that's why i come here. can't go by everything you hear. might as well just a get a staw and blow in the tank a few times a day. DOH!

I see the DIY calls for a two liter bottle. Might be a bit much for a 10g tank. Can it be smaller..say 20oz bottle?
 
I'm using a wide (almost) 2L bottle for DIY on a 5 gallon tank. Go ahead & use a 2L for your 10g. No worries.
 
you can use smaller bottles but there shouldnt be a problem with a 2l like Squawkbert said.

You are making a common mistake. You look at the CO2 chart and think that if you raise your KH your pH will stay the same and you will have "magic" CO2.

The problem with this is that when you add baking soda to raise the KH the pH also goes up. You can't get CO2 into an aquarium unless you are adding CO2. Playing games with the pH or KH doesn't add CO2.

The CO2 chart is based on bicarbonates (baking soda) being the only buffer and the ONLY thing used to lower pH is CO2.
Click to expand...

good catch rex. i had almost forgot about this.
 
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