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#1
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Question about CO2 levels in my tank
Since you were so helpful answering my last question, here is another
for the experts. Before setting up the tank I tested tap water for pH, KH, and GH (7.8, 8dKH, 17dGH). After running for a couple of weeks with injected CO2 pH remains stable at 7.8 with KH and GH not changing as well. The co2 system is Nutrafin's Natural Plant System which I purchased because I had read several posts recommending them (or at least the bubble counter/diffuser). As I understand it, co2 levels in the tank are directly related to pH and KH. I don't know the algorithm, nor do I particularly care what it is, but Chuck's planted aquarium page has a calculator that will figure out the ppm of co2 based on the numbers you input for pH and KH. Both his table and calculator give me a reading of about 3.8ppm of co2 in the water, which is exactly where I started off before adding co2. The water is not being agitated in any real way as to cause the co2 to escape. When leaving the end of the tube, the co2 bubbles are large, but gradually decrease in size as they travel up the diffuser (I take this as meaning the co2 is being dissolved). What do I need to do to increase the levels of co2 in the water? BTW, I get 1 bubble of co2 about every 3 seconds with about 4 bubbles in the counter at any given time. The tank is 10g with 15watts of light (will be upgraded shortly). Any help is greatly appreciated. I have enjoyed reading many of your posts already. NjF |
#2
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Question about CO2 levels in my tank
I've only seen these systems in action at a LFS so I don't have first hand experience with them. Is there any CO2 bubble left by the time it reaches the top? If there is, then that's basically wasted CO2. To increase the CO2 levels with this system as it is, you'd need to increase the bubble rate...if that's possible with the system. Or....somehow slow down the bubble travel in order to get a more complete absorbtion of the CO2 into the water. Chris On Tue, 17 Dec 2002 04:16:08 GMT, NjF wrote: Since you were so helpful answering my last question, here is another for the experts. Before setting up the tank I tested tap water for pH, KH, and GH (7.8, 8dKH, 17dGH). After running for a couple of weeks with injected CO2 pH remains stable at 7.8 with KH and GH not changing as well. The co2 system is Nutrafin's Natural Plant System which I purchased because I had read several posts recommending them (or at least the bubble counter/diffuser). As I understand it, co2 levels in the tank are directly related to pH and KH. I don't know the algorithm, nor do I particularly care what it is, but Chuck's planted aquarium page has a calculator that will figure out the ppm of co2 based on the numbers you input for pH and KH. Both his table and calculator give me a reading of about 3.8ppm of co2 in the water, which is exactly where I started off before adding co2. The water is not being agitated in any real way as to cause the co2 to escape. When leaving the end of the tube, the co2 bubbles are large, but gradually decrease in size as they travel up the diffuser (I take this as meaning the co2 is being dissolved). What do I need to do to increase the levels of co2 in the water? BTW, I get 1 bubble of co2 about every 3 seconds with about 4 bubbles in the counter at any given time. The tank is 10g with 15watts of light (will be upgraded shortly). Any help is greatly appreciated. I have enjoyed reading many of your posts already. NjF -----------== Posted via Newsfeed.Com - Uncensored Usenet News ==---------- http://www.newsfeed.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! -----= Over 100,000 Newsgroups - Unlimited Fast Downloads - 19 Servers =----- |
#3
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Question about CO2 levels in my tank
I cant comment as to why your tank is shoing no change, but i have had the
same system on a 70 UKG tank for just over a week. I have seen a drop in PH of around .3-.5 Are you sure about the accuracy/resolution of your PH test kit? I have two different kits here. Before CO2 both showed about the same 7.5 Now one clearly shows 7.0 the other still looks like 7.5 I think this is due to the limits in accuracy/resolution/perception of colour with the test kit. hth Phil. "NjF" wrote in message ... Since you were so helpful answering my last question, here is another for the experts. Before setting up the tank I tested tap water for pH, KH, and GH (7.8, 8dKH, 17dGH). After running for a couple of weeks with injected CO2 pH remains stable at 7.8 with KH and GH not changing as well. The co2 system is Nutrafin's Natural Plant System which I purchased because I had read several posts recommending them (or at least the bubble counter/diffuser). As I understand it, co2 levels in the tank are directly related to pH and KH. I don't know the algorithm, nor do I particularly care what it is, but Chuck's planted aquarium page has a calculator that will figure out the ppm of co2 based on the numbers you input for pH and KH. Both his table and calculator give me a reading of about 3.8ppm of co2 in the water, which is exactly where I started off before adding co2. The water is not being agitated in any real way as to cause the co2 to escape. When leaving the end of the tube, the co2 bubbles are large, but gradually decrease in size as they travel up the diffuser (I take this as meaning the co2 is being dissolved). What do I need to do to increase the levels of co2 in the water? BTW, I get 1 bubble of co2 about every 3 seconds with about 4 bubbles in the counter at any given time. The tank is 10g with 15watts of light (will be upgraded shortly). Any help is greatly appreciated. I have enjoyed reading many of your posts already. NjF |
#4
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Question about CO2 levels in my tank
NjF wrote in message . ..
Since you were so helpful answering my last question, here is another for the experts. Before setting up the tank I tested tap water for pH, KH, and GH (7.8, 8dKH, 17dGH). After running for a couple of weeks with injected CO2 pH remains stable at 7.8 with KH and GH not changing as well. The co2 system is Nutrafin's Natural Plant System which I purchased because I had read several posts recommending them (or at least the bubble counter/diffuser). As I understand it, co2 levels in the tank are directly related to pH and KH. I don't know the algorithm, nor do I particularly care what it is, but Chuck's planted aquarium page has a calculator that will figure out the ppm of co2 based on the numbers you input for pH and KH. Both his table and calculator give me a reading of about 3.8ppm of co2 in the water, which is exactly where I started off before adding co2. The water is not being agitated in any real way as to cause the co2 to escape. When leaving the end of the tube, the co2 bubbles are large, but gradually decrease in size as they travel up the diffuser (I take this as meaning the co2 is being dissolved). What do I need to do to increase the levels of co2 in the water? BTW, I get 1 bubble of co2 about every 3 seconds with about 4 bubbles in the counter at any given time. The tank is 10g with 15watts of light (will be upgraded shortly). Any help is greatly appreciated. I have enjoyed reading many of your posts already. NjF Did you test your tap water straight out of the tap or did you let it outgass for 24 hours before testing the ph. I find that my tapwater's pH rises after 24 hours from 7.4 to 8.4. I then inject co2 which brings the ph back down to 7.4. What you might be seeing is tap water with a high co2 level straight out of the tap. It would change if you let it but your co2 injection keeps it the same. Just a thought Mark |
#5
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Question about CO2 levels in my tank
On Tue, 17 Dec 2002 04:16:08 GMT, NjF wrote:
Since you were so helpful answering my last question, here is another for the experts. Before setting up the tank I tested tap water for pH, KH, and GH (7.8, 8dKH, 17dGH). After running for a couple of weeks with injected CO2 pH remains stable at 7.8 with KH and GH not changing as well. The co2 system is Nutrafin's Natural Plant System which I purchased because I had read several posts recommending them (or at least the bubble counter/diffuser). As I understand it, co2 levels in the tank are directly related to pH and KH. I don't know the algorithm, nor do I particularly care what it is, but Chuck's planted aquarium page has a calculator that will figure out the ppm of co2 based on the numbers you input for pH and KH. Both his table and calculator give me a reading of about 3.8ppm of co2 in the water, which is exactly where I started off before adding co2. The water is not being agitated in any real way as to cause the co2 to escape. When leaving the end of the tube, the co2 bubbles are large, but gradually decrease in size as they travel up the diffuser (I take this as meaning the co2 is being dissolved). What do I need to do to increase the levels of co2 in the water? BTW, I get 1 bubble of co2 about every 3 seconds with about 4 bubbles in the counter at any given time. The tank is 10g with 15watts of light (will be upgraded shortly). Any help is greatly appreciated. I have enjoyed reading many of your posts already. NjF My LFS replaced one an old Tetra CO2 cannister with one of these Nutra Fin CO2 gizmo's.... the tank has been suffering ever since. I can tell you that I am not impressed with this system at all. I think the normal home made DIY systems are much more effective and cost quite a bit less to construct and maintain. Regards, Ed i-aquaria.com |
#6
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Question about CO2 levels in my tank
On Tue, 17 Dec 2002 07:05:03 -0000, "Philip Ash" wrote: I cant comment as to why your tank is shoing no change, but i have had the same system on a 70 UKG tank for just over a week. I have seen a drop in PH of around .3-.5 Are you sure about the accuracy/resolution of your PH test kit? I have two different kits here. Before CO2 both showed about the same 7.5 Now one clearly shows 7.0 the other still looks like 7.5 I think this is due to the limits in accuracy/resolution/perception of colour with the test kit. hth Phil. I am most definitely not sure about the accuracy of my pH test kit. Does any one have a recommendation as to one they have had good experience with? An update to my situation... I think I was able to get more dissolved co2 into my tank by changing where the tube entered the diffuser. This allowed the co2 to remain in contact with the water for a longer period of time. Since then it appears that the pH level in my tank dropped from 7.8 to about 7.2 or so. These are very unofficial as I did not have my girlfriend to confirm (I am colorblind and the slight changes in color are very hard for me to make out). However the water does look slightly more green than blue. If I am right, that would put co2 levels at about 15 ppm, a much more acceptable level. Thanks for the suggestions. NjF |
#7
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Question about CO2 levels in my tank
I also thought it was kind of silly to buy the Nutrafin system instead of a
DIY. But, I saw the diffuser for $12 in the lfs (you can get it for $10 online) and bought it. I made my own yeast bottle and use my own yeast and sugar. I have had good results and it is fun to look at. Ed wrote in message ... On Tue, 17 Dec 2002 04:16:08 GMT, NjF wrote: Since you were so helpful answering my last question, here is another for the experts. Before setting up the tank I tested tap water for pH, KH, and GH (7.8, 8dKH, 17dGH). After running for a couple of weeks with injected CO2 pH remains stable at 7.8 with KH and GH not changing as well. The co2 system is Nutrafin's Natural Plant System which I purchased because I had read several posts recommending them (or at least the bubble counter/diffuser). As I understand it, co2 levels in the tank are directly related to pH and KH. I don't know the algorithm, nor do I particularly care what it is, but Chuck's planted aquarium page has a calculator that will figure out the ppm of co2 based on the numbers you input for pH and KH. Both his table and calculator give me a reading of about 3.8ppm of co2 in the water, which is exactly where I started off before adding co2. The water is not being agitated in any real way as to cause the co2 to escape. When leaving the end of the tube, the co2 bubbles are large, but gradually decrease in size as they travel up the diffuser (I take this as meaning the co2 is being dissolved). What do I need to do to increase the levels of co2 in the water? BTW, I get 1 bubble of co2 about every 3 seconds with about 4 bubbles in the counter at any given time. The tank is 10g with 15watts of light (will be upgraded shortly). Any help is greatly appreciated. I have enjoyed reading many of your posts already. NjF My LFS replaced one an old Tetra CO2 cannister with one of these Nutra Fin CO2 gizmo's.... the tank has been suffering ever since. I can tell you that I am not impressed with this system at all. I think the normal home made DIY systems are much more effective and cost quite a bit less to construct and maintain. Regards, Ed i-aquaria.com |
#8
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Question about CO2 levels in my tank
A DIY system is fine and I was planning on doing so, but I got the
entire Nutrafin system for only $15. I think it looks a lot better than most DIY systems. I don't use Nutrafin's yeast and stabilizer packets. I use my own. Regardless, it works well for me, and for the price, I can't complain. I little more info though... I let some water sit out for some time and than ran another pH test. This time my tap water had a pH of about 8.4. NjF On Tue, 17 Dec 2002 16:58:34 GMT, "STEVE KREUTZER" wrote: I also thought it was kind of silly to buy the Nutrafin system instead of a DIY. But, I saw the diffuser for $12 in the lfs (you can get it for $10 online) and bought it. I made my own yeast bottle and use my own yeast and sugar. I have had good results and it is fun to look at. Ed wrote in message ... On Tue, 17 Dec 2002 04:16:08 GMT, NjF wrote: Since you were so helpful answering my last question, here is another for the experts. Before setting up the tank I tested tap water for pH, KH, and GH (7.8, 8dKH, 17dGH). After running for a couple of weeks with injected CO2 pH remains stable at 7.8 with KH and GH not changing as well. The co2 system is Nutrafin's Natural Plant System which I purchased because I had read several posts recommending them (or at least the bubble counter/diffuser). As I understand it, co2 levels in the tank are directly related to pH and KH. I don't know the algorithm, nor do I particularly care what it is, but Chuck's planted aquarium page has a calculator that will figure out the ppm of co2 based on the numbers you input for pH and KH. Both his table and calculator give me a reading of about 3.8ppm of co2 in the water, which is exactly where I started off before adding co2. The water is not being agitated in any real way as to cause the co2 to escape. When leaving the end of the tube, the co2 bubbles are large, but gradually decrease in size as they travel up the diffuser (I take this as meaning the co2 is being dissolved). What do I need to do to increase the levels of co2 in the water? BTW, I get 1 bubble of co2 about every 3 seconds with about 4 bubbles in the counter at any given time. The tank is 10g with 15watts of light (will be upgraded shortly). Any help is greatly appreciated. I have enjoyed reading many of your posts already. NjF My LFS replaced one an old Tetra CO2 cannister with one of these Nutra Fin CO2 gizmo's.... the tank has been suffering ever since. I can tell you that I am not impressed with this system at all. I think the normal home made DIY systems are much more effective and cost quite a bit less to construct and maintain. Regards, Ed i-aquaria.com |
#9
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Question about CO2 levels in my tank
Sugar to the first line of the cannister, add a tsp of champaign
yeast, and because my water is rather hard, leave out the baking soda. The current bottle I am on has lasted over two 1/2 weeks and does not appear to be slowing down. NjF On Thu, 19 Dec 2002 01:45:56 -0000, "Philip Ash" wrote: "NjF" wrote in message .. . A DIY system is fine and I was planning on doing so, but I got the entire Nutrafin system for only $15. I think it looks a lot better than most DIY systems. I don't use Nutrafin's yeast and stabilizer packets. I use my own. Regardless, it works well for me, and for the price, I can't complain. I little more info though... I let some water sit out for some time and than ran another pH test. This time my tap water had a pH of about 8.4. NjF What recipe and type of yeast do you use? Phil. |
#10
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Question about CO2 levels in my tank
A LFS in my area was selling them for about $27, but one of them had
the wrong price tag of $15. The owner gave it to me for that price because I had spoken to him on several occasions and because I buy most of my equipment from him. Nice guy... would 've paid the $27. NjF On Thu, 19 Dec 2002 01:25:33 GMT, "STEVE KREUTZER" wrote: Where did you get it for $15? "NjF" wrote in message .. . A DIY system is fine and I was planning on doing so, but I got the entire Nutrafin system for only $15. I think it looks a lot better than most DIY systems. I don't use Nutrafin's yeast and stabilizer packets. I use my own. Regardless, it works well for me, and for the price, I can't complain. I little more info though... I let some water sit out for some time and than ran another pH test. This time my tap water had a pH of about 8.4. NjF |
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