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Re: BGA, H202, KH, Ph and CO2...



Jeff Bodin <bodin1 at gte_net> wrote:

<snip>
> 2) I am using Dave's set-up. The problem with the set-up is that I am
> always having to adjust the flow (but set that aside). I have the Ehiem
> diffuser (which I also do not like, small bubbles get large after a week
> and I need to constantly clean it) feeding into a smaller power head which
> only pico (smaller than micro) bubbles come from the eject point, and seem
> to mostly dissolve in the water. So I figured with 2-3 bubbles per second
> and almost all of it dissolving, I would have a good level of CO2. Right?
> WRONG!
> 
> pH is a "hare" over 7.0 (Tetra)
> KH is right at 3.0 (Tetra, double filled, double drops for better
> accuracy).
> 
> This gives me a CO2 of somewhere between 6-9 ppm. Not a whole lot???
> 
> How do I increase my CO2 levels??? Increase the number of bubbles per sec?
> Better reaction chamber (although it appears as though I am getting it to
> dissolve pretty well now), increase the KH by adding more Baking soda?
> 
> Any thoughts are appreciated.
> 
> TIA
> 
> - Jeff

Jeff,

I also have Dave's system in a 46 gal tank with kH = 3.0 water, Tetra
double filled test. I can only suggest that there is something wrong with 
your setup. You should be getting plenty of CO2. I operate mine at 9 psi, 
which translates to about one bubble every two sec. I never care to clean the 
diffuser. There is just one single stream of relatively large (1 mm dia.) 
bubbles coming from it. They go up to about 2" below the surface, then 
got blown down by the downward-pointing filter return stream. The few that 
manage to get back to the surface are almost gone by then. With that 
simple setup the pH is constantly at the 6.5 - 6.7 mark (diurnal change). 
This has been so for the past 5 months. I have made NO adjustments 
whatsoever, and no cleaning for the past 3 mo or so, and the system has
been *completely*, 100% stable. I'm foreseeing the day the gas will run out
just because I *forgot* the system is in there !

I am no expert on the mechanics of the CO2 system, but couldn't be that 
there is a leak somewhere ? A very small and intermitent leak would 
perhaps create the instability and ineffectiveness you observe ?

-Ivo Busko
 Baltimore, MD