Co2 BPM / BPS - suggested?
- Thread starter Derringer
- Start date
Yes I am ... am I not supposed to be?
I just checked PH directly out of tap - its pretty much the same as the tank (7.4) - so I reckon that means the diffuser I am using is junk ???
I have used the 500 co2 reactor I would highly recommend you cancel the order. Its one big pain in the ____ . the suction cups don't hold it in the right position and you lose the vortex constantly. The electric wire is also to blame in stead of coming out the top of the pump it comes out the bottom that also has the tendency to pull the pump sideways.
The new latest way to diffuse co2 is to modify a small power head by putting small holes in the blades of the impaler to break more like smash the co2 bubbles. This creates more of a mist of co2 than bubbles.
Hopefully Plant brain will see this and chime in.
Derringer a good starting point is 3 BPS but as everyone has suggested YMMV.
The way you are checking short of a electronic meter is the most accurate way to read co2 concentration
The new latest way to diffuse co2 is to modify a small power head by putting small holes in the blades of the impaler to break more like smash the co2 bubbles. This creates more of a mist of co2 than bubbles.
Hopefully Plant brain will see this and chime in.
Derringer a good starting point is 3 BPS but as everyone has suggested YMMV.
The way you are checking short of a electronic meter is the most accurate way to read co2 concentration
Drop checker.. comes in all different designs, heres how one of them looks like
inside the glass "tube" you would put 4dk solution with ph reagent. The solution needs to be exactly 4dk or else you will get false readings..
The solution can be ordered already premixed or you can buy 4dk bottles and make the solution yourself..
One thing to note is. If your co2 is high and the solution turns yellow and stays yellow for a while, it looses its accuracy.
inside the glass "tube" you would put 4dk solution with ph reagent. The solution needs to be exactly 4dk or else you will get false readings..
The solution can be ordered already premixed or you can buy 4dk bottles and make the solution yourself..
One thing to note is. If your co2 is high and the solution turns yellow and stays yellow for a while, it looses its accuracy.
I see that now and imagine that it would be a problem - thanks I will go cancel my order and look for something else - In the mean time I guess I can rig up a PH tonight and try that out.
WHY does everyone keep bringing up a drop checker? I have said several times that I have one ....
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the drop checker needs to be set up correctly.. you must use clean water (ie distilled) and add baking soda to get kH to 4 Dk...add reagent.
you mentioned using tank water in your DC and this could throw off getting an accurate reading.
Well I used tank water because thats what the directions said to do ... and it sure didnt say anything about baking soda. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm - I guess I need to find out how to get 4dkh solution ... thanks.
Heck I probably already have 30ppm and dont know it LOL ... the fish are doing just fine and some plants are growing 4-6" a week...
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ehh??? are you doing a ph test??? lol sure sounds like you are..
Either way they sell drop checkers alone or as a kit which already comes with solution. I suggest you check out ebay. They have them with solution for $8-9 shipped
dont even attempt the 4dkh solution.. It needs to be very precise or its just trash..
Either way they sell drop checkers alone or as a kit which already comes with solution. I suggest you check out ebay. They have them with solution for $8-9 shipped
dont even attempt the 4dkh solution.. It needs to be very precise or its just trash..
I have plenty of reagent
It took me about 20 minutes of mixing water to baking soda then diluting back and forth doing KH test each time to get to ~4dkh solution. I have added it to the drop checker and will report back in an hour or so if I see any drastic change from what it was with tank water.
I think this trips everyone up the first time, but basically tank water doesnt work because its loaded with buffers naturally to maintain a stable pH. So yeah you might have already hit your goal, its your solution trying to resist it, hehe.
