Trouble Getting Co2 Levels Up.

[pob_16]

Hi,

I am currently setting up my new tank going through the fishless cycle. I have always preferred the look of heavily planted tanks and thought I would give it a go.

Info on my tank:

80 US gallon
Lighting around 2.6 watts per gallon
CO2 injection via a pressurised DD kit. 3 bubbles per second
Various plants in the tank, but cant identify them.

Water chemistry (remembering I am in the middle of cycling my tank)

NH3 0ppm raising to 5ppm via ammonia addition
NO2 Off scale high
NO3 5ppm (started at 20ppm but has dropped and stayed there? )
dH 120ppm/6.7deg

pH 7.5
KH100ppm/ 5.6deg

Now the reason for my post is regarding the CO2. Going by my pH and KH results I am calculating that I am only achieving 5.3ppm of CO2. Now I thought at 3 bubbles per second I should be getting higher readings then this. The DD kit I bought came with a pump instead of a diffuser and I was wondering if this will have any effect on how effectively the CO2 dissolves into the water?

Any help will be much appreciated. I feel reluctant to increase the CO2 if it is just going to be wasted.

 

[aaronnorth]

this will explain everything, including why the kh/ ph results are innacurate.

EDIT: forgot to add link lol:
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=268972

 

[pob_16]

Thanks for the link

Is the pump a good method for dissolving the CO2 in the water?

 

[aaronnorth]

yes - i assume it is like a powerhead?

 

[pob_16]

Not exactly sure what you mean when you say powerhead.

Its just a small pump that sits in the tank and has the tube after the bubble counter that goes into the suction of the pump. The CO2 bubbles come out of the pump quite small and seem to stay submerged for quite some time so I assume its managing to get into the water. Was just a bit worried with my calculated CO2 readings, but if you are saying this method of working ou the CO2 is not that acurate I shall stop worrying.

Thanks again.

 

[aaronnorth]

It does sound like a powerhead which is something similar to this: http/www.gzqunyi.com/UploadFiles/2007416115934831.jpg
CO2 tube would go in bottom and bubbles come out of the nozzle.

they are usaully used to get more flow into the aquarium, but they are useful for CO2 diffusion as they blast the bubbles around the tank.

 

[pob_16]

Yes, it's very similar to that.