No Frills, Just Want To Check My Co2

[ShinySideUp]

I have read and read all the info both here and other sites for the amount of co2 I need, where it comes from and the effects of hardness and pH. Now I just want to know if I need any of it. Is there a simple way I can tell if my plants (I don't have many) are getting enough co2 from fish respiration alone?

 

[FishFanatic04]

The defiencies from co2 issues are pretty easy to see. Pin holes in your leaves and melting edges. If your plants are green and healthy then you are fine. Plants will tell you what they need.

 

[ShinySideUp]

The defiencies from co2 issues are pretty easy to see. Pin holes in your leaves and melting edges. If your plants are green and healthy then you are fine. Plants will tell you what they need.

Ah, pin holes, that would be me then. I did wonder what they were.

Thank you

 

[Primous]

Hi ShinySideUp


Still no frills but your best bet would be to invest in a drop checker they are relatively inexpensive, I found this one for under £2.00 http/www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CO2-glass-Drop-Checker-PH-LONG-TERM-MONITOR-fish-tank-test-aquatic-size-small-/250945139687?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item3a6d7ef3e7

Add to that some 4dkh solution for the same price and you'll get a very good color coded indication of what your co2 levels are. Also, something I discovered yesterday is to get yourself a good diffuser. until recently I thought they were all pretty much the same. I mean, I've used everything from air stones as well as the bog standard glass diffusers and admittedly have always got a good green in my drop checker. Fortunately my glass diffuser broke on Wednesday and after a little research I decided to go with a Flo Centi (£14.00)

More so for aesthetics rather than the good things other hobbyists had said about it. Long story short, the diffuser broke my co2 down into such a super super fine mist that it is difficult to spot. Almost invisible unless you go right up to the tank glass. I placed the diffuser in the same spot as the old one, and haven't adjusted the bubble count (1bps) and within an hour the drop checker changed from green to bright yellow. So with the right drop checker you'll get a higher rate of diffusion using the same co2 source. I figured i'd add that just in case you decide to go "light" frills instead of none at all.