Diy C02
- Thread starter TONO
- Start date
Low KH is going to cause your PH to drop fast and most likely your fish will get ill.. I had same problem as my water has 0 KH.. I put a small piece (golf ball size) of limestone in my tank to raise the KH. It did help, but the CO2 rapidly eats up the KH so for now I'm not using it as I killed $30 worth of fish.
The problem is I could never replace the CO2 fast enough after my 3 liter bottle ran out. Not that its impossible, I just couldn't stay on top of it with work and school.
Make sure you have a needle valve and diffuser because you need to limit the amount of CO2 coming out.
The problem is I could never replace the CO2 fast enough after my 3 liter bottle ran out. Not that its impossible, I just couldn't stay on top of it with work and school.
Make sure you have a needle valve and diffuser because you need to limit the amount of CO2 coming out.
That should work, just add a little at a time - the fish will have to adjust to the change in KH just as they would a change in temperature or pH. My KH is ~50-60ppm (3*KH) and the pH in my tank is stable at 6.4 (am) - 6.6 (pm) with DIY.
Add about 2 tbsp. of crushed coral in a mesh bag and add this to your filter. This will help to buffer your water.
CO2 doesn't affect KH directly, but it does bring down pH. CO2 also reacts with CO3 to form HCO3, so the presence of CaCO3 (crushed coral or aragonite) provides a more dinamic buffer than manual addition of baking soda (although that is worth doing to tide you over).
Crushed coral (or laterite) is also a more gradual and contiuous method, so it's less shocking on the fish. Instead of the water hardness jumping up, it gradually climbs.
CO2 doesn't affect KH directly, but it does bring down pH. CO2 also reacts with CO3 to form HCO3, so the presence of CaCO3 (crushed coral or aragonite) provides a more dinamic buffer than manual addition of baking soda (although that is worth doing to tide you over).
Crushed coral (or laterite) is also a more gradual and contiuous method, so it's less shocking on the fish. Instead of the water hardness jumping up, it gradually climbs.
I agree with the above replies, but you have very low kH and you will need to use the coral in conjunction with baking soda for a month or so.
Coral is the best option, but takes a couple to a few weeks to maintain kH consistantly. In the meantime you will need to use baking soda and keep checking your pH.
Happy, sorry to hear about your pockets
.
Len
Coral is the best option, but takes a couple to a few weeks to maintain kH consistantly. In the meantime you will need to use baking soda and keep checking your pH.
Happy, sorry to hear about your pockets
.Len
What's in it?
Read the label and reply with the ingredients. Does not sound like 'fertilizer' from your description.
Len
Read the label and reply with the ingredients. Does not sound like 'fertilizer' from your description.
Len
Well, if it had a lot of PO4 it would buffer the water and be a 'fertilizer', but not one I would want to use!
it just says florabase contains all nutrients for maximum plant growth, with out the need for additional ferts.
maintains ph between 6.5 and 7
thats all it says the display tank at the lfs uses it and everything looks great thats why I got it.
oh yeah i added a teaspoon of baking soda I checked my kh today and it is 55ppm is that a good level or should I raise it? Also my ph is pretty stable today from 6.8 in the morning to 6.5-6.6 tonight.
maintains ph between 6.5 and 7
thats all it says the display tank at the lfs uses it and everything looks great thats why I got it.
oh yeah i added a teaspoon of baking soda I checked my kh today and it is 55ppm is that a good level or should I raise it? Also my ph is pretty stable today from 6.8 in the morning to 6.5-6.6 tonight.