Co2 Kit Help

[Cooper2085]

Just hooked up my first Co2 kit.

I have the diffuser placed next to a powerhead to help circulation. I'm not looking to create a rainforest just keep my plants healthy. I have a M602 kit, I'm wondering how many bubbles per minute I need?

 

[Katch]

You need a drop checker with 4dkh solution to accurately work out how many bubbles per second you need.

There are too many variables for anyone to give you an answer.

 

[Cooper2085]

Is that the PH/Co2 tester that comes with the kit? You place it in the water to see what the levels are and it stays in permanently? Or am I barkeing up the wrong tree?

 

[Katch]

Is that the PH/Co2 tester that comes with the kit? You place it in the water to see what the levels are and it stays in permanently? Or am I barkeing up the wrong tree?

Yup the CO2 permanent test.

read this - http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/268972-drop-checkers-how-they-work/

 

[Cooper2085]

Thank you for that, I currently have it set up and will check it tomorrow to see if there is any change.

My other questions are safety related.

I have a solenoid valve on the kit, am I ok to just unplug it at night and plug it in in the morning?

How lethal would the Co2 be if there was a leak?

Cheers

 

[Katch]

Thank you for that, I currently have it set up and will check it tomorrow to see if there is any change.

My other questions are safety related.

I have a solenoid valve on the kit, am I ok to just unplug it at night and plug it in in the morning?

How lethal would the Co2 be if there was a leak?

Cheers

Should be fine to unplug it but you'd be better getting a couple of timers for your lights and co2. Plants like routine and algae like fluctuations and irregularity.

Aim for gas on an hour before lights and off and hour before lights off. Lights on for 7-8 hours.

CO2 isn't great for you but it's not the killer that carbon monoxide is. It wouldn't do you any good in a poorly ventilated area if there was a large leak but if your solenoid failed and it leaked out at the rate we inject into aquariums (and we assume you are not living in a tupaware box) it would do no harm at all.

For the drop checker have you just used tank water? It is essential to use 4kdh solution to get a usable result with one.

 

[Cooper2085]

I didnt use the 4kdh solution but i will be fetching some in the morning when the shops open. Thanks for all the help its been great and i really appreciate it!

 

[smithrc]

This has taken me ages to dig up...
Managed to find it in one of my threads from 2006!

"I was given a guide to the bubble rate that has held good.

Tank size (Litres) x KH (degrees) / 50

so in our 200l with a KH of 9deg

200 x 9 = 1800

and 1800 / 50 = 36 bubbles per minute."


I cant remember how well it worked for other tanks etc - but at the time it worked for me...

 

[RadaR]

I know its only a guide but that sounds like a very low bubble rate to me for a 200litre.
No calculation or guide can tell you how much to put it in. Tanks with more light (more PAR) will need more CO2. Tanks with more plants will need to inject more.
Plants are your best test kit (and algae for that matter).
But as you said, it worked for you at the time

 

[Cooper2085]

Another quick question, I only use the powerhead to increase Co2 circulation. Should I turn off the powerhead at the same time as the Co2?

 

[RadaR]

I would still keep it on. Its helping against dead spots.