Co2 Drop Checker

[IovaykInD]

If you put the PH reagent in the co2 drop checker with only distilled water..what color would the solution turn? Would it stay blue perhaps?

 

[aaronnorth]

it depends on the pH.

the only time when the colour changes is when the pH changes. And the pH only changes when CO2 is injected.

 

[IovaykInD]

I've tried distilled water.. water with 4dkh and still no changes in the color of the bulb. Now, is there a way to test if the ph reagent is actually working? because the reagent I'm using came with the checker and I don't think it is a reliable reagent. What will I have to buy to get the proper reagent?

 

[aaronnorth]

test the distilled water with the reagent supplied, and your main test kit.

Bromothymol blue is available in low range pH test kits, such as nutrafin

 

[IovaykInD]

I have yet to be able to get any color changes in my drop checker..I don't get why. So that leads me to the question, am I diffusing my co2 well enough? It is going through a powerhead and it sprays tiny bubbles throughout the entire tank. Should I invest in a diffuser like this. I need some opinions though, do those nano diffusers really create tiny bubbles, smaller than would come from a powerhead? or are they about the same.. also, is it possible to use these diffusers with 2 liter bottles, since i know it takes a quite a bit of pressure to get the bubbles through the membrane..

 

[aaronnorth]

we need to know a few more details...

tank size
lighting -levels/ wattage
CO2 - what type - BPS?


Have you tried moving the DC around the tank in different places? It might be that in its current position the CO2 level there is low.

 

[Spiceweasel69]

why dont you just pump a few bubbles of co2 into the drop checker - it should change colour pretty quickly if your solution is working.

 

[IovaykInD]

the solution is working.. i tested it with spiceweasel69's advice.. the tank i have is in my signature.

1wpg
diy co2, 1 bps
55 gallon tank.

 

[SuperColey1]

This statement

I've tried distilled water.. water with 4dkh and still no changes in the color of the bulb

is because of this statement

1wpg, diy co2, 1 bps, 55 gallon tank.

Forget the WPG!! That will just control the speed of growth and use of CO2. The faster the plants grow the more CO2 they use but to get a change on the drop checker you need to be getting a decent amount into the tank whether you have plants or not.

DIY CO2 @1bps (even with the most generous bubble counter) is not going to provide anywhere near 30ppm in a 55 gallon tank. It would struggle in a 55 litre tank.

As an example I use 3bps on a 125Ltr even when I had 0.9WPG!!!

You would need 4-5 DIY bottles and get much closer to 5bps for your setup AND have very good circulation (2000lph +)

AC

 

[IovaykInD]

That is the answer I was hoping to get.. as a result, I will most likely be switching to a real co2 system soon.

My question is how many bps are people using on this forum? I'm just wondering because it looks like there is already a lot of co2 in the tank, I'm just wondering how much 5bps would look in the aquarium.. wouldn't it be a big mess of bubbles?

 

[aaronnorth]

That is the answer I was hoping to get.. as a result, I will most likely be switching to a real co2 system soon.

My question is how many bps are people using on this forum? I'm just wondering because it looks like there is already a lot of co2 in the tank, I'm just wondering how much 5bps would look in the aquarium.. wouldn't it be a big mess of bubbles?

it depends on the bubble counter. I had one that measured 3BPS on my 60l, i then switched to a glass counter and i couldnt even count it was that quick!