If you start with tap water at 7.0 PH and 4.0 KH then in theory, adding CO2 should lower PH and raise KH. It happened with me that way but then again I have phosphates in my water supply so my tests come out all screwed up (which i found out only 3 days ago).
Trying DIY C02... A Few Questions
- Thread starter aberg12012
- Start date
Angels are not CO2 proof. Be very careful with your gas.
Hope you had an opportunity to check the pH this morning at lights on. That's the time of day when the pH will be at it's lowest point. Keep checking this until you are satisfied that your injecting is safe for the fish.
A warmer culture will give a stronger amount of gas and also for a shorter duration.
To maintain a somewhat even flow, mix another batch at 7 - 10 days and change it off with the one presently on the tank.
Len
Hope you had an opportunity to check the pH this morning at lights on. That's the time of day when the pH will be at it's lowest point. Keep checking this until you are satisfied that your injecting is safe for the fish.
A warmer culture will give a stronger amount of gas and also for a shorter duration.
To maintain a somewhat even flow, mix another batch at 7 - 10 days and change it off with the one presently on the tank.
Len
Sardesign... that makes sense, although I've never heard that phosphates affect a PH or KH test before? Perhaps I should study up on that, as I add phosphates via Fleet Enema.
This morning's test (at 11:30am) I was a little nervous, but was pleased to find the PH didn't drop... instead the KH rose. Maybe the coral skeleton is starting to break down in the low PH and is buffering things.
PH 6.6, 4 dKH ... C02 about 30 ppm.
So I guess I need to cut back on the yeast next time. At 30 ppm of C02, is that a danger for fish?
This morning's test (at 11:30am) I was a little nervous, but was pleased to find the PH didn't drop... instead the KH rose. Maybe the coral skeleton is starting to break down in the low PH and is buffering things.
PH 6.6, 4 dKH ... C02 about 30 ppm.
So I guess I need to cut back on the yeast next time. At 30 ppm of C02, is that a danger for fish?
djlen said:
Didnt see this untill after my last post. As I said before, the PH stayed steady overnight, and KH rose, which brought up C02 to 30ppm. Is this a major hazard? All the angels are doing fine, and are eating and everything. Just in case, I stopped injection for now. I may also run an air stone to off gas some of he C02, but personally I think it'll come down just fine on it's own once the lights come on?
30+ starts to be hazardous to fish. I would keep an eye on it. shoot for 20-25 ppm if you can.
BTW, I was talking about the PH + KH tests from my tap. I get 7.0 PH and 8 KH from my tap. If you use the CO2 chart, it would show a CO2 concentration of 24 ppm. That obviously is NOT the case... so one of two things happened. Phosphate in my water supply is screwing up the tests (which has been known to happen) or the PH : KH ratio is NOT linear and a PH of 7.0 and KH of 8 does not add up to 24 ppm.
BTW, I was talking about the PH + KH tests from my tap. I get 7.0 PH and 8 KH from my tap. If you use the CO2 chart, it would show a CO2 concentration of 24 ppm. That obviously is NOT the case... so one of two things happened. Phosphate in my water supply is screwing up the tests (which has been known to happen) or the PH : KH ratio is NOT linear and a PH of 7.0 and KH of 8 does not add up to 24 ppm.
