Co2 Drop Checkers

[xing]

Hi all. I'm going to be ordering a drop checker in the next day or two but have found two differing designs at Aqua Essentials

Type 1 http/www.aquaessentials.co.uk/index.php?...roducts_id=1231

Type 2 http/www.aquaessentials.co.uk/index.php?...roducts_id=1232

I've noticed from looking at other images of tanks that type 1 seems more popular although I prefer the look of type 2. I presume they both work as efficiently as each other - was just wondering about the opening on type 2 and whether the interface between the tank water and the trapped air/indicator solution (surface area of tank water exposed to indicator solution for gas exchange) was large enough. I know this sounds like a real dumb question and I really know (suspect) they are both as good as each other, but is it really just a question of aesthetics?

Also, the instructions on the AE site state using tank water - I thought the idea was to use water with a known kh of 4 (which if needed I would buy at the same time).

ta
Stuart

 

[Dave Spencer]

Both types should be just as effective. I nearly bought one of the egg shaped type, but thought it might be a bit awkward getting the old reagent out of it. I have to shake my snail shaped ones quite hard to get the stuff out. Having said that, you could just stuff some kitchen roll in to soak it out.

Also, the instructions on the AE site state using tank water - I thought the idea was to use water with a known kh of 4 (which if needed I would buy at the same time).

You will need 4dKH solution for an accurate CO2 reading, not tank water. I don`t know if it comes with the 4dKH, but you will need Bromo Blue as the reagent. The Nutrafin 6 - 7.6 pH indicator test kit uses Bromo Blue.

Dave.

 

[Themuleous]

What Dave said

Sam

PS - I love the look of the egg shaped ones, but I cant seem to find a cheap alternative

 

[SuperColey1]

Sam

Look on ebay for the 'egg' pmsl shaped ones (They are called 'tear drop') I got mine for under a tenner delivered from HK.

They are quite easy to empty and fill IF you have the right syringe.

I will take a pic of mine eventually but it came with the inkjet refill packs you buy (a long time ago maybe 10 years) and it has a 3 inch long blunt needle (to put the ink into the hole on the cartridge) so with mine I just suck out the old solution and pump in the new. Takes all of 1 minute to remove old solution, put in water, shake to clean, remove water, pump in new solution.

I prefer the 'tear drop' ones too they llok nicer IMO and thats why I chose that one

See below: Not as cheap as mine, but mine came with black sucker (which I changed for one of the baby's car window sun blinds clear ones. lol)

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/Co2-Drop-Checker-99-...1QQcmdZViewItem

Andy

 

[xing]

Sam

Look on ebay for the 'egg' pmsl shaped ones (They are called 'tear drop') I got mine for under a tenner delivered from HK.

They are quite easy to empty and fill IF you have the right syringe.

I will take a pic of mine eventually but it came with the inkjet refill packs you buy (a long time ago maybe 10 years) and it has a 3 inch long blunt needle (to put the ink into the hole on the cartridge) so with mine I just suck out the old solution and pump in the new. Takes all of 1 minute to remove old solution, put in water, shake to clean, remove water, pump in new solution.

I prefer the 'tear drop' ones too they llok nicer IMO and thats why I chose that one

See below: Not as cheap as mine, but mine came with black sucker (which I changed for one of the baby's car window sun blinds clear ones. lol)

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/Co2-Drop-Checker-99-...1QQcmdZViewItem

Andy

that's the one I've just ordered - £13 delivered from Hong Kong . I have the extinguishers ready and i'm just waiting for everything else to arrive

 

[aaronc]

Hehe we are so impatient lol, I am waiting for my drop checker to come, the waiting is killing me lol

Aaron

 

[SuperColey1]

Hehe we are so impatient lol, I am waiting for my drop checker to come, the waiting is killing me lol
Aaron

You just bought a drop checker and you hate waiting. lol.....boy oh boy you're gonna hate waiting for it to change colour as it can take 2-3 hours to get to the actual colour it should be and you'll be there thinking. maybe I haven't got enough CO2 lol.

If I were you...when it comes leave it in the box.....then just before you go to bed put it in......in the morning you will be seeing the 'real' colour of your CO2

Andy

 

[aaronc]

Hehe. I am a nightmare, I just dont have any patience lol.

I have a meeting tommorrow so will put it in before I go, will be 3 hours before I get back home so it should be ok.

Got all the new lighting to put in to

Cant wait hehe

Aaron

 

[aaronc]

Right I have my Co2 drop checker but I can't for the life of me get the solution to go into the small bubble bit, it just won't

Is there a knack?

Aaron

 

[Themuleous]

A syringe is easiest, but I have found that you can fill and empty it by turning it up side down so the air bubble is able to get out of the gap, which allows the water into the chamber.

Sam

 

[aaronc]

Turning upside down didnt seem to work, I had to turn it 90 degrees and tap it, took me ages, got there in the end lol

Aaron

 

[dannowittmorris]

Turning upside down didnt seem to work, I had to turn it 90 degrees and tap it, took me ages, got there in the end lol

Aaron

I use a Pipette out of a medication packet (fresh not used!!) with the tear drop one (off ebay) and suck it in and out.

I was using my guestimated soloution till last night when I changed it for the 4dkh from Aquaessentials, popped it in last night and changed my second ferplast diy mix, got home tonight and its YELLOW!!!!, need to back off the co2, currently placing the canisters on the the warm lighting controller, but will try moving them somewhere cooler, and if that fails cutting down to half a teaspoon of yeast in my mix.

The yeast I am using (forgot the name) has gone mad and even made it to the bubble counter!!!!!!!!!

 

[SuperColey1]

you must have a very small tank to OD with Nutrfins. honestly 2 can stay on a 120 alll day and all night...lol

 

[aaronc]

If they are too warm then they will produce alot of CO2 quickly and then die off sooner. So with two I could see the potential to overdose for a short period of time, especially with a new mix. I renewed my mix yesterday and adding a new 1 litre bottle and the amount of bubbles was immense. I unhooked the 1 litre bottle while it calmed down lol.

And they only had 1/2 tsp of yeast in each.

 

[dannowittmorris]

If they are too warm then they will produce alot of CO2 quickly and then die off sooner. So with two I could see the potential to overdose for a short period of time, especially with a new mix. I renewed my mix yesterday and adding a new 1 litre bottle and the amount of bubbles was immense. I unhooked the 1 litre bottle while it calmed down lol.

And they only had 1/2 tsp of yeast in each.

I agree with Aaron, being very warm caused a huge out rush of co2 (and maybe my experimental mix of half dessert wine yeast and half bakers yeast was also a factor) , the yeast mix has pumped out of the canister and all the way to the bubble counter.

I have now moved them away from the warm light and I unhooked the new canister for an hour. This morning it was back in the green put the powered ferplast reactor is off over night and no doubt helped, hopefully it'll still be green tonight not yellow. That said all my fish seemed happy with the high c02.

If it is yellow again tonight I'll re do the canisters with a half teasponn of yeast instead of a full one.

Its all trial and eror, the tanks only been up a month or so so I am still seeing what works and what does'nt. Just received some Heteranthera Zosterfolia and Riccia Fluitans from Plants alive to pop in tonight , the wife'll be thrilled (not).

I really hope the Riccia works as I've had no sucess with the E Tennulus or other carpeting plants so far. Only the plastic grass in my 37l goldfish tank looks any good , in fact once I get a light for them I'l post my Plastic planted tank too as it looks fab.

PS Tank is a 96 l. (25 Gal US)