increasing kH before injecting co2?

Update! with video

ok, so before adding any DIY co2 into the tank and only running 1 Hagen co2 system my parameters were:
pH = 7.2
kH = 2

After adding 1 2L DIY co2 bottle parameters were:
pH = 6.8
kH = 1

After adding the 2nd 2L bottle parameters are:
pH = 6.5
kH = 2

Do these numbers seem reasonable according to the progress?
I've been running with the 2 2L bottles now for approx. 48hrs.
Here is a quick low quality video to show you part of my setup:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPtjKGko20E
 
perfecto

I would ;however, like to see a better way to diffuse the bubbles throughout your tank. Also the bubbles should be by the outflow to disperse evenly.
 
you can't see it in the video but the bubbles actually get taken up by the powerhead and blown across the tank. If you watch the video in the beginning the bubbles go up the foam "prefilter" attached to the powerhead.
I tried the DIY reactor which worked great but I just couldn't get over how much room it took up and there was no way of hiding it.
 
thanks Mgamer - I did have a question about my numbers though.
Do you think they are correct? The reason why I am asking is that
from what I have read, you need approx. 4 2L DIY bottles to get anywhere
near the amount of co2 needed for a 125G tank. I am only running 2 2L's and 1 Hagen ladder system. So according to 6.5pH and a kH of 2, that would mean I have approx. 19ppm of co2 in my tank. Is this ok or right?

thanks.:dive:
 
IMO, bite the bullet and get pressurized. By the time you spend all of the money on DIY CO2 ingredients, you will far exceed start up costs for pressurized. 125 gal! That is quite a large tank. DIY IMO really isn't an option if you have high light. Get the all-in one, a brass check valve/bubble counter/solenoid...you can find one for under 80 bucks.....and go get a tank from a beverage supplier. It will cost you 30 bucks every 6 months to refil....Trust me on this. It will make a hige difference here. There is no room for cutting corners on CO2 in a tank that size...You risk a lot of trouble, money and a huge potential mess.
if you oonly have 2 DIY bottles on a tank that size, your ppm readings are wrong. Get a drop checker or do a DIY drop checker for checking your true CO2 concentration.

Refer to this thread regarding a DIY drop checker for CO2 measurement


http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/do-it-yourself/32100-diy-drop-checker.html
 
fresh_newby said:
IMO, bite the bullet and get pressurized. By the time you spend all of the money on DIY CO2 ingredients, you will far exceed start up costs for pressurized. 125 gal! That is quite a large tank. DIY IMO really isn't an option if you have high light. Get the all-in one, a brass check valve/bubble counter/solenoid...you can find one for under 80 bucks.....and go get a tank from a beverage supplier. It will cost you 30 bucks every 6 months to refil....Trust me on this. It will make a hige difference here. There is no room for cutting corners on CO2 in a tank that size...You risk a lot of trouble, money and a huge potential mess.
if you oonly have 2 DIY bottles on a tank that size, your ppm readings are wrong. Get a drop checker or do a DIY drop checker for checking your true CO2 concentration.

Refer to this thread regarding a DIY drop checker for CO2 measurement


http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/do-it-yourself/32100-diy-drop-checker.html
Click to expand...


I wish I could get pressurized but at this moment it's a no go.
I do have a drop checker. That is why I posted the question cuz according to my pH and kH readings, my co2 should be approx. 19ppm BUT according to my drop checker, it's probably around 10 or 15ppm.
Sooooo........I had another 2L already to go so I hooked that up too.
I have 3 2L's on the go, I will take some readings tomorrow and in the meantime read more on that link you posted. I've been using my tank water for the drop checker.........I guess that's not right. I am going to research some more. :read:
 
10-15 sounds more like it with that set up....your target is around 30ppm
 
yeh, I was reading the post you linked in your thread and am going to try using distilled water in my drop checker to make sure the device is reading correctly.
So now I have the Hagen co2 unit and 1 2L hooked up to the ladder diffuser and 2 2L hooked up to the ceramic airstone. I will check parameters this evening to see where they are.

Should I be checking parameters when the lights are off or on?? or does it matter?
 
lights on best since plants are utilizing it then and there isn't excess unused giving false high....
also FYI distilled water is critical for proper readings....false increases in concentration are reported with tap.
 
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