CO2 QUESTION

ddavila06 · Post by **ddavila06** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 8:37 pm

so i did follow most of the steps on how to make a homemade co2 system, my question now is: when im trying to test the kh so using the chart to read the amount of co2 in the water together with the ph, the reading says i have only 2....

which together with the 6.2 ph i have tells me that i have co2 levels in dangerous levels...

can that be with only two days running???

jcali10 · Post by **jcali10** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 9:33 pm

This article by Chuck Gadd should help you.

http://www.csd.net/~cgadd/aqua/art_plant_co2chart.htm

I don't think it's possible to generate dangerous levels of CO2 via the yeast fermentation method.
Unless you built a ridiculously massive DIY set up, like 10 two liter bottles pumping CO2 into a 10 gallon
tank simultaneously, I wouldn't worry about injecting too much CO2.

Do your fish look all stressed out and gasping for air at the surface?

ddavila06 · Post by **ddavila06** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 9:38 pm

no stress nor anything weird, my ph went down though...:S

jcali10 · Post by **jcali10** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 9:40 pm

I think that is normal. I believe carbonic acid will have that effect, just like tannins from wood release tanic acid and lower pH as well.

ddavila06 · Post by **ddavila06** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 9:51 pm

i'll keep that in mind, i will keep a large eye on the fish and hopefully everything will work well. i don't have a lot, one 3 litter bottle and one 2 litter bottle, hooked them to the outtake of my fluval 405 filters which is basicly making very fine tiny bubbles out of each large bubble that comes out of the bottle

also, i already read that article many times in a row to try and make as much sense out of it, and trust me, everytime i see something new:P thanks Joe

Judi · Post by **Judi** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 10:11 pm

My understanding is that the chart is a very inaccurate method for determining co2 levels, as there are other factors influencing ph in the aquarium. Like Joe said, it's extremely unlikely that you are overdoing the co2 with a diy set up.

ddavila06 · Post by **ddavila06** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 11:01 pm

well Judy, most replies agreed at one thing, those diy are defenitly not enough to overdose and put the fish in any harm, thats what i wanted to know

thanks to you and joe for the replies

and hopefully the co2 will be enough to make the plants grow a little better

ingg · Post by **ingg** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 11:09 pm

Well.... you technically can... if you get completely nuts about adding yeast.

Do you have bubble counters? What are your bubble rates?

ddavila06 · Post by **ddavila06** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 11:57 pm

no bubble counter

but they come pretty fast, about one per sec?...

i don't know, today is day number three since i set it up...

SCMurphy · Post by **SCMurphy** » Thu Oct 02, 2008 8:35 am

How big is the aquarium?

CO2 QUESTION

CO2 QUESTION

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