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co2 controll

2K views 6 replies 6 participants last post by  herefishy 
#1 ·
i made a diy co2 kit the other day and now that the bubbles are coming out how do i know the rite amount is coming out?
 
#2 ·
Count the bubbles although it seems frustrating. 1-2 bubbles per second is often considered to be the exact amount. Or if you have a test kit, 20-30 ppm is a safe level for the fish.
 
#3 ·
Blue said:
Count the bubbles although it seems frustrating. 1-2 bubbles per second is often considered to be the exact amount. Or if you have a test kit, 20-30 ppm is a safe level for the fish.
Interesting. I have read from several sources and been told by numerous people on forums that you shouldnt let your Co2 drop below 30ppm in a planted tank or else run the risk of algae problems. Also, that most fish can handle Co2 up to about 90ppm.

A bubble counter is a must, IMO. I get about 60-90 bubbles per minute in my 55g with 100% diffusion. This keeps my tank between 50 and 90ppm. If you want to be able to test your Co2 levels, a good pH test kit and kH test kit (may be hard to find locally) are needed. Along with a conversion chart/program (free).
 
#4 ·
my ph has gon down from 7.6 to 6.8 now. is that ok or bad. i read an artical saying to try and keep it between 6.2 and 7.6 which ive dun so far but just wanna check with u lot
 
#5 ·
The important thing right now is to make sure you KH is above 3 dKH. This will protect your fish from the pH swings and make it less of an effect on them and less stress. Your dKH should always be above 3. The ppm needs to be between 30 and 50ppm and constantly there to prevent or at least restrict algae growth. Any fluctuations above or below can result in algae problems. Try to keep it as constant as possible.

And no, CO2 will not displace O2 nor will O2 displace CO2. I have talked to 2 different chemists about this and they both proved that the two of them are independant of each other. Turning an airstone on at night may be needed at the right levels to give the fish enough oxygen. If you can set up a timer, I would use it for the airpump so it comes on at 30 minutes after lights off and turns off 30 minutes before lights on. This allows for it to build to levels that are beneficial to the plants and prevents too much build up after lights out.
 
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