CO2: How can I tell it's working?

[fabsroman]

I almost have the same setup on a system with 75 and 55 gallon tanks linked together. However, I run the 1000 reactor to a home made return bar instead of through one of my Fluval 405s. I am definitely going with more than 60 bubbles per minute and the reactor seems to do just fine with it. At the rate I am putting CO2 in the water, the solenoid isn't open very long.

The way you can tell if it is working is if there is no air at the top of the reactor. If you see air gathering at the top of the reactor, this means that the reactor cannot disperse the CO2 as fast as you are putting it in. Also, if you find this air in the reactor, use the little valve on the top to let it out. The more air in the reactor the worse it works to dissolve the CO2. You will know the system is working properly if the controller eventually shuts off from the decrease in the ph value.

Me, I'm running my system at a KH of 9 and a ph of 7.2. That has worked for me for the past 2 years.

Good luck.

 

[ChiaJesus]

Thanks fabsroman. Based on what you're saying it sounds like I have everything set up. Although it's only been hooked up for less than 48 hours I am already starting to see new growth so I guess it's working.

So this might be the dumbest question I have ever asked. How on earth do you release valve on the top of the reactor? I've tried opening it and had no luck with it at all. I'm either doing it wrong or it's glued together because it seems impossible to open.

 

[aahhsin]

You need a drop checker to determine how much Co2 is actually dissolved. It is a device filled with a fluid of 4kdh and pH indicator,and submerged in the tank(inverted), it will turn from a blue to green when the concentration of Co2 gets to about 30ppm.

But you really want to watch your fish to make sure they are not stressed. I would do very small incremental changes and wait a couple of hours or more before adjusting it again.

BTW this is a drop checker: http://www.greenleafaquariums.com/co2-drop-checkers/gleaf-drop-checker.html


Edit: 15bpm is probably really low, I would probably start at 1 bubble per second.

i've always wondered, when i put the indicator into the tank, should i try to limit as much air as possible before I put it in the tank?