CO2 levels during water changes?

R

raymond_h2002

AC Members
Oct 24, 2005
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Hi,

I am on the verge of setting up pressurized CO2. I am not planning on getting a pH regulator at this moment. I am wondering what those who have one do with their CO2 injection when they do large (+30%) water changes? If you leave it on, would the pH drop be considered significant? It would then bounce back up when the new water is added?

If you turn off the CO2, would a significant amount of dissolved CO2 gas off in the time it takes for a water change and maintenence?

I'm guessing this all depends on the kH level?

Thanks everyone!
-Raymond
 
I don't use a PH controller, but when I do water changes, I unplug my CO2 (solenoid), and gradually take out water, and put in water with my Python. The tap water is usually going to be different from your tank water if you're adding CO2, but since I'm adding the water gradually, it doesn't stress the fish out. In fact, they somtimes swim inside the gravel vac (I leave it lying on the substrate) not knowing they are inside a tube and not just in the tank. That is the only time I see them stress out. What fish wouldn't?
 
Raymond - To answer your question I will say that I do regular 50% changes in all my tanks, weekly, and they are kept at 6.3 - 6.4°pH. My tap water is 7.5°. Yes, the pH does rise a few tenths for a brief period of time, but the fish are completely unaffected by it, other than in a positive way.
The most delicate fish I keep are my Otos and they love their water change, swimming directly into the incoming water for the entire time I'm re-filling the tank. All fish give positive reactions to the weekly change.
I never turn off the CO2 during the change....just drain and fill, with no negative result at all.

Len
 
I too do 50% weekly water changes and leave the CO2 running. I do not use a pH probe though. My tap is pH-7.6 and the tank is around pH 6.8. If I measure pH right after the water change, its 7.2 (go figure).

HTH
 
I do 50% x 2 a week on my rainbow tanks, no controller atm, and do turn off my CO2.

I turn it off because I end up mucking around the tank moving plants and stuff and checking things. I clean the diffuser every time I do a water change. The kids always interrupt, too. The filter can be off for over an hour, sometimes two :rolleyes:

The pH does go up to about 7.2 from 6.8, but it doesn't bother the Boesemani and they are very picky about stuff like that. They start displaying their colors and struting for the girls the minute the new water hits the old. They go nuts in the current, too :)

Roan
 
Thank you all for your replies!

In considering what everyone has to say, it looks like leaving it on wouldn't be a bad idea.

I forgot to consider that my canister spraybar is up near the top of my tank, which creates a waterfall effect when the water line is lowered past 15%. I would think that this, combined with the agitation of the water during maintenence, would dissipate any potential excess CO2 buildup.

It seems unanimous that I'm worrying over nothing, but it was fun to think about anyway. :)

-Raymond
 
Roan Art said:
I clean the diffuser every time I do a water change.
Click to expand...

Same here.

Sometimes my water changes are more than 50% (if I've moved plants around and such), but never less than 50% weekly.
 
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