[Wet Thumb Forum]-CO2 Questions

[wschalle]

I run a "natural plant system" CO2 bottle on my tank, and it works quite well, currently at 3 bubbles per minute on the hagen ladder. The bubbles get mostly absorbed before they leave the ladder, so I'm assuming that the co2 is entering the water. I started experimenting a little bit with the chemistry in my tank to modify PH and KH values a little bit.

I added some bicarbonate yesterday and took some readings before and after.

Before:
KH: <1 degree
PH: 6.6
Temp:79 d. F

After adding less than half a teaspoon of baking soda, premixed:
KH: ~3 degrees
PH: 7.0
Temp: 79 d. F

From my calculations, I have approx. 7-9 ppm CO2 in my tank at this point. Given the bubble rate, and from my past experience, I think the PH should be lower than it is. The values have not changed since I added the bicarb. They are still at 3 kh and 7 ph.

How can I raise the CO2 level in my tank safely?

[wschalle]

I run a "natural plant system" CO2 bottle on my tank, and it works quite well, currently at 3 bubbles per minute on the hagen ladder. The bubbles get mostly absorbed before they leave the ladder, so I'm assuming that the co2 is entering the water. I started experimenting a little bit with the chemistry in my tank to modify PH and KH values a little bit.

I added some bicarbonate yesterday and took some readings before and after.

Before:
KH: <1 degree
PH: 6.6
Temp:79 d. F

After adding less than half a teaspoon of baking soda, premixed:
KH: ~3 degrees
PH: 7.0
Temp: 79 d. F

From my calculations, I have approx. 7-9 ppm CO2 in my tank at this point. Given the bubble rate, and from my past experience, I think the PH should be lower than it is. The values have not changed since I added the bicarb. They are still at 3 kh and 7 ph.

How can I raise the CO2 level in my tank safely?

[imported_russell]

i am assuming you are using the hagen nutrifin system? how large is your tank?

to raise your co2 levels, you can do 2 things.

first, you could just make your unit produce more co2. the natural plant system you use is based on a yeast/sugar chemical exchange. with only 3 bubbles per minute, your co2 will be a bit low. i would suggest adding some dry yeast do your mixture when you make it in your co2 system. this will produce more co2 at a greater rate but, it will also mean that you will have to refill your system more often.

2. you could check to see how much surface agitation you have. how much current is on the top of your tank. if there is any way to make your water surface more still do it, and less co2 can escape.

another thing you could do is you could stop using the hagen mix, and make your own mix. all you need to do, is add sugar up to the line as they said, then add 3/4 teaspoon dry yeast. then add water as usual this will give you the same affects of the packets, but you can controll the rate of co2 production.

more yeast = more co2
more sugar = lasts longer (to a certain extent)

[wschalle]

The tank is 10 gallons.

The surface is agitated very little. The filter output is only a few milimeters above the water surface.

Thanks for the reccomendation. I may try making a new mixture tonight, as the mixture in place now is a little old (2 weeks)

[wschalle]

Does anyone have experience with fast rising baking yeast? It only took about 30 minutes to really start going... its at about 8.5 bubbles per minute now.

I put a tiny bit of baking soda in to keep it from going too fast. Will this stuff foam?

[trenac]

On the Hagan unit if you move the outlet down to the lowest notch on the ladder this will put more C02 into the water.