Adding Co2 To An Already Established Tank

netcode

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Hello folks, I am currently looking at setting up a DIY co2 system for my 60 gallon. I have made the decision to go with a DIY instead of pressurized as its much cheaper and after doing a lot of reading i figure i can get away with a DIY even though my tank is 60 gallons. Anyways my tank has been running for approx 2 and half months now, water quality is high and fish are happy. My first concern about adding the co2 is that its going to change my pH and harm my fish. Is this something I should be concerned about? Is there any way I could maybe ease the co2 into the tank so it won't create such a change so fast. Another concern is that I don't want to have to start adding major ferts N-P-K as thats just one more thing I have to take care of, so if I use the DIY co2 system will I be reaching high co2 levels where dosing fertilizers is going to be required? ps i am dosing a trace fertilizer, seachem flourish.

thanks for any feedback.
 
To answer your question better I think people might want to know lighting specs, how heavily planted your tank is, substrate etc etc

Im not much help to you though Lol
 
The CO2 will cause a decrease in your pH as it becomes more acidic. Just buy some crushed coral / coral grit and place it in your filter if you can. It'll help stabilise your pH levels to around 7. It's real easy, just put it in and forget about it. It dissolves so slowly that a tiny amount will last months, if not years.
The CO2 will alter your pH, that is certain. Unless it's already acidic.

What wattage lighting do you have?
 
To answer your question better I think people might want to know lighting specs, how heavily planted your tank is, substrate etc etc

Im not much help to you though Lol


well my question isn't wether or not to add co2.. its wether or not adding co2 is going to significantly change my pH to the point of harming my fish. But anyways I have 1.3 WPG, i would say about 60% of substrate is planted, and I have no special substrate(which is going to cause me to prolly have to dose n-p-k).

also I just tested my KH.. and it seems to be 1.68. so that might be something else thats going to be a concern cause that is quite low.
 
The pH drop brought about by CO2 injection shouldn't harm your fish. pH fluctuations in the wild can be far higher. As a precaution observe their behaviour but I doubt you'll experience any problems. A lower pH is actually beneficial for most tropical fish and it also shifts the ammonia/ammonium balance toward the less toxic ammonium.

NPK dosing may be necessary but it depends of various parametes i.e. lighting, CO2 level, fish load and feeding (higher = less NP required), tap water chemistry, substrate, planting etc. Your best guide is the plants. If growth is stunted/algae then test for NO3 and PO4. If they're low then take the necessary action.

edit - just read your following post. KH buffering would be recommended by many but if you stick to large regular partial water changes i.e. 30%+ per week then I'd say you'll be ok.
 
thanks George.

you might have been posting as I posted my KH level.. so do you think that is something i need to take care of first?
 
Your kh is too low to add co safely, even DIY. the crushed coral suggested above will raise your kh. However, it doesn't work instantly. put about 3/4 cup of coral in a bag into your filter. It can take a week or two before you get a noticable change.

DIY is usually not a good choice for a tank of your size. I would try Fourish Excel which can give good results- often equal to DIY. If you really want to go with DIY, then I would suggest a multiple bottle system.
 
Thanks for your input amin. The reason i want to do DIY is because its much cheaper. The system I have thought of using of course would incorporate two bottles. PS I am currently using excel right now at 5mL (capful) every 2nd day.

I do have a question regarding the coral method of upping my KH. Will this increase in KH affect other water parameters such as pH, GH...etc?

How long will the coral last if I use 3/4 cup? And at some point will this coral run out and my KH slowly start to drop?
 
Your kh is too low to add co safely, even DIY.
Whilst I agree with this for most circumstances, particuarly those with little experience, injecting CO2 is fine with very low KH. I know of at least half a dozen enthusiasts that run pressurized CO2 with zero KH. The key is big water changes to prevent pH crashes.
 
The coral will act as a buffer, keeping the pH roughly around 7. I dont know if it will stop the pH from becoming more alkaline though, but if you are using CO2 that's unlikely. As for the affects on KH i dont know.

The coral will last you ages. Months, if not a year. I've had mine in the filter for about 2 months and i havent noticed any change. It really does go down very very slowly. But as mentioned above, it does take time to work also. Dont expect pH changes overnight.


Thanks for your input amin. The reason i want to do DIY is because its much cheaper. The system I have thought of using of course would incorporate two bottles. PS I am currently using excel right now at 5mL (capful) every 2nd day.

I do have a question regarding the coral method of upping my KH. Will this increase in KH affect other water parameters such as pH, GH...etc?

How long will the coral last if I use 3/4 cup? And at some point will this coral run out and my KH slowly start to drop?
 

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