Wait a further 2 hours for concentration of CO2 to change and check your readings. Copyright Aquarium Gardens All rights reserved. Designed by Jarilo Design.
Too Little CO2. Too Much CO2. Correct Levels of CO2. Is this really necessary? Can you overload your plants with CO2? Not only does it save CO2 but it stops your fish from being gassed to death. When lights are off, CO2 should be off. Co2 is used when lights are on only, or daylight a little for photosynthesis. Newbie with aquascapes, years with tropical livebearer fish.
My last tank sprung a leak after having it set up and healthy for over 20 years. Even had a few hatchet tetras that lived for 12 years in the tank. With my new tank, I decided to try aquascaping. I have a 20 high tank with pressurized co2 regulated bubble counter at the electric solenoid controlled pressure regulator. I have over the past two months tried two times to place a black molly in the tank. Note the maximum again and make another minor adjustment if necessary.
Remember that most fish can tolerate a limeade green or even into the yellow if you turn off the gas. You will find that with a covered tank you can turn the gas off 2 or 3 hours before lights off. In the morning the checker may still show in the green. No problem, turn on the gas an hour or two before lights on. If you are patient and methodical, you'll find that you'll consume a lot less gas because your timing will be right.
It's much more important that your concentration is up to nominal level in the morning when lights first go on. In the afternoon the concentration has maxed out and the plants are on cruise control. Nearing the end of the day you can throttle back but there is still plenty of gas dissolved and the plants are beginning to lower their consumption. No two tank setups are exactly the same. It's therefore impossible to suggest with any accuracy what initial bubble rate each individual should set.
Many other factors affect the tanks absorption rate. The following arbitrary initial rates have been offered and should be used carefully in conjunction with the procedures above:.
Remember to not get tunnel vision and become hypnotized by bubbles in the counter - the values shown are just a guide and are provided simply for orientation. The standard practice is to clean the vessel and to replace the drop checker fluids whenever a water change is performed, typically once a week.
Other factors affecting CO2 availability to plants If we could visually detect CO2 in a tank we would see that the distribution is uneven. The plant in the upstream area of the flow has greater access than the plant directly behind it downstream. Flow and distribution are not discuss nearly enough but they are as critical as bubble rate and peak concentration. It is often stated that a planted tank should be filtered at a turnover rate of between 3 to 5 times the tank volume per hour.
The problem is that no filter ever delivers it's rated flow at typical configurations once loaded with media. Canister filters and sump pumps have to fight gravity as well. If that is not feasible, due to space or cost, then consider an alternative by adding a powerhead to deliver flow to the plants.
A good indication of proper distribution is when most or all individual plants "sway in the breeze". For tanks less than about 30 US Gallons L the in-tank diffusers work well as the volume of water is not excessive, however, as the tank size increases it becomes more viable to use an external device. This also looks neater in the tank as it reduces clutter. Some find this annoying.
A compromise can be to place the in-tank device at the filter inlet grill and to allow the filter to swallow the bubbles. The filter will break up the bubbles so that there is no mist. Maintaining proper levels of CO2 The problem associated with maintaining CO2 concentration level is that gasses do not move as easily in water as they do when dissolved in liquids. What does a drop checker tell us?
Using the syringe, pull 1. If the reagent is separate to the water squeeze 3 drops of the reagent into the vessel and shake gently. The solution will turn a blue-green indicating a pH of around 7. Now invert the assembly being careful not to spill the fluid Next, holding it level, mount the checker anywhere on the front glass inside the tank so that air is trapped in the vessel.
Should I turn off the gas at night?
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