co2 kh/ph chart and phosphates

timwag2001

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Apr 25, 2009
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how much does P affect the relationship of kh/ph and co2 and in which direction? if i have 3 ppm of phosphate and my kh/ph indicates i would have 30ppm co2, would i have more or less co2?
 
Me neither...unless my chemistry is off, which it very well could be. I always thought the main problem with the charts were "unknown" acids/bases in the water that could throw everything off.

Drop checker might be the best solution...
 
copied from csd.net

Adding certain "pH altering additives" can cause much confusion as well. Additives like "Proper pH 7.0" which force the pH to a certain value completely invalidate the CO2 / KH / pH relationship. This is because these pH altering additives contain phosphates. Phosphates replace the carbonates in the buffering system. And the CO2 / KH / pH relationship is only valid in a system that is buffered by Carbonates
 
i do have a ph monitor. thats what i'm talking about. if i put a ph monitor into a drop checker that has 4dkh solution in it. i can then use the kh/ph chart to get an exact reading of co2. that way my drop checker can controll my co2 in my tank and give me a more accurate reading on my co2 instead of vague color changes that i have trouble reading anyway.
 
i think it's more than worth a try. go for it, sounds reasonable. let us know what you find out.
 
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