Timing of Co2 injection

Russ_in_Georgia

I've tried to search for this but any time I use the search feature to look for Co2 threads it tells me none exists... I didn't see anything in the first few pages so here I am.

I just recently switched to Co2 with the semi-auto kit from Foster&Smith. Right now I have the tank plugged into the same timer as the lights but I'm wondering if it needs to be on it's own? Reason I ask is I'm using the "test KH and PH" method right now to see what my levels are and Co2 doesnt come up into the 20ppm range until about 1-2 hours before lights out...

I'm lights on 3:30p-10:30p, KH is 6-7. At 7am the PH is upwards of 7.8, near the end of the light/injection cycle it's down in the 6.8-7.0 range and based on the chart I'm going by (bottom of this page http://www.csd.net/~cgadd/aqua/art_plant_co2chart.htm) I'm just starting to get into the mid 20's. The fish aren't showing any kind of stress and seem just as happy as ever so far as I can tell I'm not over-injecting.

My question is that if it takes 5-6 hours to swing from basically no CO2 to the 25ppm range, should injection start a couple hours ahead of lights on so the concentration is there the full light cycle and not half?

I'm noticing a significant improvement in color and growth is improving compared to when I was dosing Excel (which I discontinued once I started Co2) and it's only been a week!

Thanks.

Jay

Hey Russ...a few thoughts

Another CO2 addict.

If you are dosing PO4 or PO4 is an ingredient in your nutrient dosing routine and is measurable in the .5 to 2 ppm range then the KH GH chart becomes inaccurate as it is based on carbonate buffers. Check out the sticky at the top of the forum for a more accurate method of testing. More of a hassle but more accurate.

Your CO2 reactor may not be performing efficiently or your bps/bpm may need to be increased.

It takes my system about an hour to come up to 30 - 35 ppm so I have it timed to come on 1.5 hours before the lights.

Jay

Russ_in_Georgia

Not dosing any phosphates but I just tested it and it's in the 2-3ppm range, guess I'll go learn the way of the sticky

No reactor running at this point, just the glass diffuser that come in the kit mounted as low as it can go in the rear corner on the end opposite the power head and hang on filter: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...fm?pcatid=9915

Running 1-2 bubbles/second based on the bubble counter that come with it.

By the time the circulation carries it around most of the micro bubbles have made at least half a trip around the tank.

Are the little in tank co2 indicators I've seen online worth anything? I'm assuming not based on writeups I've seen where in comparison none of them tend to match readings.

Jay

That little diffuser is really not very efficient for a large tank.

You could come up to 3 bps if the diffuser will still work at that pressure.

You might want to look at this...

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...4&pcatid=15524

and run it on the same side as your power head. I am experimenting with one now.

I have heard both pro and con about those little indicators
I think they work on the GH KH principal, but I'm not certain.

Jay