Should I risk it?

[CaitxSith]

should I risk adding co2 without knowing my kH? Or should I just care for plants without it...

i can't believe i blew money on a co2 system without buying a kH reader :mad2:

 

[sarcare]

You bought a co2 system? What system? It is important to know what the KH is--the test isn't that expensive compared to the cost of all your fish turning belly up. I just do diy co2, and spent my money on the kh/gh test kits.

 

[TrashmanTodd]

It's really not that bad. Go out spend a few bucks on a GH/KH test kit. It will take a couple days of trial ande error, but once you get it dialed in, it should stay nice and level.

Just make sure you test alot during the first few days to avoid any spikes either way.

Once I got my CO2 injector system going it made life so much easier not having to make bottles of mix every couple of weeks. Now I just change a tank every few months.

Trash

 

[CaitxSith]

nevermind... does even a little co2 affect the pH?

 

[epicfish]

How much is a little? My pH is 7.4 w/o CO2, and 6.8 with DIY CO2, so I'd say yea...

I never really used a gH/kH test kit to figure out anything. I just slowly bumped up my CO2 until I saw stressed fish. Then I backed it off a tad bit. Everything is hunky dory.

 

[beviking]

No you shouldn't add CO2 w/o knowing your KH. If you receive water from a municipal water source, check their webpage and it may be listed there.
A little CO2 affects pH a little, more affects it more.