Stupid Or Strage Quastion

[John59]

I use jbl proflora bio CO2 100 is something like diy plus the tetra CO2 optimat on 200lt tank 50-55 gal i measure about 14mg/l with tetra test in the instructions it says 20mg/l is the best max the sera permanent test is blue which means add more now the strange thing and my question:
I come home every evening around 6 and i feed my fish 5 angels 6 platys and 7 neon tetras 2 small cat fish do not know the name exactly after they eat and in about half an hour they are almost all at the surface even the cat fish rush to the surface take a quick gulp and back to the bottom i thought at first that they were looking for more food but after switching on the air stone in less than 10 min everything becomes normal and they start swimming around away from the surface this happens every evening all water measurements No2 ammonia etc are normal either the test are useless or ......... that is where i need your help and ideas

 

[George Farmer]

Gasping at the surface does sound like too much CO2 in your case. Other symptoms could be ammonia, lack of O2 due to overstocking etc. but your tank should be fine. The fact they are normal after airstone indicates CO2.

CO2 testing is unreliable, so you may have more than you think in there. I'm unfamiliar with your CO2 products so cannot comment on them further.

Check out the end of the pinned CO2 thread for other more reliable methods to test for CO2.

 

[John59]

Thanks for the quick reply i am glad if it's Co2 because it is something i can control may be a ph controller and a pressurize system in the future will solve the problem. Co2 in the cheap form is a pain.

 

[George Farmer]

A pressurized system with solenoid is all you need IME. pH controllers aren't necessary.

 

[John59]

That will save me some money
thanks

 

[John59]

Update:
From an other thread got the idea to measure O2 rush to the lfs for a O2, test result luck of O2.
Now what do i do I'm over stock and over planted.
Solution
remove some fish - i do not want to
Start the air pump day and night (it is working at night till i get my Ph controller soon) - not good for C02 injection
Last choice increase the light to 3 watts per gallon so that plants produce more O2 and it works - problem SOLVED
Now the question:
Why this was happening every evening after feeding that i can not UNDERSTAND

Any help Ideas Please