determination of co2 content

[jmhart]

Bubble count is very subjective. Bubble counts can vary largely from tank to tank, depending on a number of things including surface agitation, temperature, diffusion method, and more. If your diffusion method is only 50% efficient, clearly you'll have to have twice the bubble rate of someone who's diffusion method is 100% efficient, all other factors the same. This is why a drop checker is needed.

Bubble counter's are good to help you slowly increase or decrease your co2. Without a bubble counter, it's hard to know just how much more co2 you're adding compared to your previous bubble count/co2 concentration measured via your drop checker.

In one of my tanks I have just over 1 bps, in the other I have 3-4 bps. One is a 45g, the other 46g. The difference is surface area(one is a bow front, one is not) and diffusion method.

 

[Fordtrannyman]

Bubble count is very subjective. Bubble counts can vary largely from tank to tank, depending on a number of things including surface agitation, temperature, diffusion method, and more. If your diffusion method is only 50% efficient, clearly you'll have to have twice the bubble rate of someone who's diffusion method is 100% efficient, all other factors the same. This is why a drop checker is needed.

Bubble counter's are good to help you slowly increase or decrease your co2. Without a bubble counter, it's hard to know just how much more co2 you're adding compared to your previous bubble count/co2 concentration measured via your drop checker.

In one of my tanks I have just over 1 bps, in the other I have 3-4 bps. One is a 45g, the other 46g. The difference is surface area(one is a bow front, one is not) and diffusion method.

It is very subjective.
Also have to consider the placement of the bubble counter in relationship to the source and diffuser. (which end of the hose)
It is also recommended to have a check valve on either side of a bubble counter. Stove pipe bubble counters have a check valve built into them.

 

[ersteb]

1 bubble every 3 seconds is an extremely low bubble count...I cant even count them they are so fast on my 60

my plants are doing fine growing at a rate that require pruning every couple of weeks and algea is pretty much under control...this count is set by using the kh/ph table and adjusting the count accordingly

i am going to order two of the drop checkers, one for each tank, to see how accurate the table really are...

 

[ersteb]

if the drop checker has a specific KH value which interacts with the Ph of the tank, how is that any different than measuring both the ph and kh of the tank and referencing these values on a table for co2 content...especially if the kh of the tank turns out to be the same value of the kh in the drop checker??????!?!?!?!?!?!

i dont see how the co2 content can be any different when measured both ways in the same tank

 

[247Plants]

Drop checkers are independent of the ph or kh of the tank water since a specific solution is put in the drop checker and it measures CO2 concentration through diffusion in the bubble between the solution and the tank water.

Clear as mud? lol Im sure I can word it better....just not at the moment.

 

[ersteb]

Keep in mind this is only accurate as long as the solutionin the drop checker is in the proper dkh range. Personally I agree though that for the $15.00 a drop checker is not only more reliable, but way easier to monitor than pH kH levels and charts.

from what i am reading here...the drop checker has a reference kh value...thus if the tank had the same kh value would u not get the same results when using the tables...or is dkh different from kh??:help:?