co2 levels

cbster

cbster

AC Members
Nov 16, 2003
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Freeburg, IL
I just checked my co2 level my perimeters or PH 6.7 and my KH is 8 so according to the chart that is 48 ppm is that possible with a diy system. the system consist of 2-2 liter bottles and a aqua-clear 301 power head that the bubbles go through. the bubble rate varies but it stays around 2-3 bubbles per second.and if that is possible what can i do to lower the co2 in the tank?



Thanks Greg
 
Is this the 10 gal. tank? It is definitely possible in a small tank w/ 2 bottles.
Do you have any wood in the tank? Wood will throw these compilations out of whack.
How are the fish reacting?

If it's the 10 and you have no wood in the tank and your measurements for kH and pH are correct, remove a bottle and see how CO2 ppm is affected.

Len
 
It is a 55 gallon tank with no wood in it and the fish aren't acting any different than normal.



Thanks Greg
 
You must have some potent yeast in that puppy to be getting those kinds of readings with 2 bottles.
I would double check your numbers though, because the combination of 48ppm with 2 bottles in a 55, and the fish being unaffected doesn't sound right.
What kind of filtration do you have?

Len
 
Alright I checked the tank readings this morning and they are PH 6.7 and kh 6 which is 36 ppm of CO2. I use Aquarium Pharmaceuticals test kits that are a couple months old so i wouldn't think the test kits are showing bad readings. and as for filtration I have a Rena Filstar XP3 with the ceramic pellets and bio balls and the sponge filters that come with it. and then a H.O.T. Magnum 250 with the polishing filter in it.

How high of CO2 can the fish live with in the tank?
 
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The rule of thumb is 30ppm, max. You are probably OK in the 30's, as long as the fish aren't showing signs of stress, but they could be mildly stressed and not showing it. You know your fish, so you would be the best judge of that.
Initial signs are a sluggishness and then a disinterest in food. Then you might notice rapid gill function and gasping at the top or in some cases dropping down to the substrate.
Did you take that reading in the morning at lights on or during the day? CO2 ppm will rise at night so it's always a good idea to check at lights out and then lights on to determine the content variables. And unfortunately with DIY it's harder to maintain a steady injection rate. Used to drive me crazy.

Len
 
I forgot to mention that I have my bottles in a bucket of water with a heater surrounded by Styrofoam with a lid to keep the heat in. that keeps the water at 80 degrees since I keep the house at 68 and it wasn't producing much co2 at that temp. so I don't know if it would make a difference if i turn the heat down. I would hate to turn it down and it stop producing co2. what do you think?

yes I took that reading in the morning. I am going to take a reading tonight and i will post it.


Also i keep the tank at 76 degrees there are angelfish, Cory cats, clown loaches, otos, and some ghost shrimp. I am hoping to get discus when the plants get well established so should I turn the heat up a little bit to get the plants use to it or does that matter?
 
Plants are pretty amenable to temp. changes, but the fish would appreciate a gradual change. I keep my tanks at 78°.

The Discus will require at least 80°, and 82° would be better.
They will also require clean water so consider the fact that more water changes will probably be in order to keep them in optimum condition. I would wait until you've got the tank stabilized for a few months before jumping into Discus. They stress very easily.

As to the CO2......keep tinkering until you see values at a steady 25 - 30ppm, or a close to it as possible. Morning tests are the most important as that's the time when you'll see the highest readings.

Len
 
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