29-07-2005, 07:29 PM
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In article k.net,
says...
I'd like to try CO2 injection , but it seems that I need an appx. $200
outlay. Also, my tapwater pH is a low (6.7) and so is the hardness. (Soft)
As I understand it to do this correctly I need to monitor the pH with a
meterin order to inject the proper amount of CO2. I like keeping soft water
fish (South American dawrf cichlids, and perhaps discus in the future) but
the initial cost and 'micromanagement' seem prohibitive. This is just my
feeling, from a beginner. Any opinions/comments welcome. Thanks for all
the advise.
There is a cost factor but you might be able to get equipped in the low $100 range
if you are lucky enough to find a cheap 5, 10, or 20 lb CO2 tank on the used
market. (I bought two for around $30 each.) The Milwaukee CO2 regulator with
bubble counter and needle valve is readily available on eBay for about $80 (new).
A Hagen bubble ladder is about $10. You do not require an automatic pH
monitor/controller. Instead you can set it up at some initial rate, say 1 bubble
every two seconds, then adjust up or down as needed to get to the level you seek.
If you know your KH, then you can determine CO2 by measuring pH using your
favorite test method. It may take a small adjustment once or twice a day for three
days to establish your setting, but once done it will remain stable.
As far as the water softness and pH, it sounds like you would need to add a small
amount of baking soda to balance the CO2. If you added only enough to reach a KH
of 3 degrees (less than one teaspoon in 10 gallons), that would support a useful
level of 10ppm CO2 at a pH of 7.
There is good reading he http://www.thekrib.com/Plants/CO2/
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