pH drop with DIY Co2

[clb2196]

I added some DIy Co2 a little over a week ago. After 3 days, there were still no bubbles. So, I redid the mixture (thought maybe I killed the yeast) and put new tubing on. Now it's still not quite consistent- no bubbles for a few seconds, then like 5 a second for 5 seconds, repeat, etc.

I've had it for 2 days. I checked the pH yesterday, and it was 6.2! It's normally 7.4. Yikes. I was leaving to go out of town so I took it out- I was afraid it'd drop more when I wasn't there to monitor it.

So... what do I do? According the the kH/pH charts (my kH is 4.5) I have WAY too much co2. I ordered some Excel, I'm ready to lay off the DIy for a while and just use that.

I have a 29 gallon with 2.4 WPG, and dose Flourish once a week right now, and will be adding iron as well.

 

[jmhart]

KH vs pH chart can be inaccurate. It assumes that the only buffer in your water is carbonate, which is all too often not the case.

Don't worry about it. It's nearly impossible to overdose with DIY co2

 

[jpappy789]

I agree with jmhart. Unless your fish are acting weird don't stress it.

 

[biggie357]

I added some DIy Co2 a little over a week ago. After 3 days, there were still no bubbles. So, I redid the mixture (thought maybe I killed the yeast) and put new tubing on. Now it's still not quite consistent- no bubbles for a few seconds, then like 5 a second for 5 seconds, repeat, etc.

I've had it for 2 days. I checked the pH yesterday, and it was 6.2! It's normally 7.4. Yikes. I was leaving to go out of town so I took it out- I was afraid it'd drop more when I wasn't there to monitor it.

So... what do I do? According the the kH/pH charts (my kH is 4.5) I have WAY too much co2. I ordered some Excel, I'm ready to lay off the DIy for a while and just use that.

I have a 29 gallon with 2.4 WPG, and dose Flourish once a week right now, and will be adding iron as well.

DIY C02 ALWAYS drops your PH slightly. no matter what. you need to balance it out.

what mixture of sugar/yeast/water did you use? how are you dissolving the c02 bubbles?

 

[Mgamer20o0]

what kind of test kit do you use? what temp is the room the diy co2 is in?

 

[clb2196]

DIY C02 ALWAYS drops your PH slightly. no matter what. you need to balance it out.

what mixture of sugar/yeast/water did you use? how are you dissolving the c02 bubbles?

Slightly, yeah, but 1.2 seems like it's a lot. I used 2 cups of sugar, 1/4 tsp of yeast, and filles with water to the top of the label.

Right now the end of the airline tube is in the filter outtake. I had an airstone but took it off since it wasn't working originally.

what kind of test kit do you use? what temp is the room the diy co2 is in?

API, and ab out 70 degrees.

If it's not a big deal, it's not a big deal. Just wanted to make sure... is that pH okay for snails?