CO2 response time

zelmo · 01-13-2006, 01:15 PM

I built my Rex reactor and will be installing it this weekend. In my current setup I need a huge bubble count to get the CO2 level to be near the correct level in my 150g tank. That is why I built the reactor.

If we assume the Rex reactor will be more efficient (if it isn't I am going to be PO!), how long will it take to see a change in PH readings as I adjust the bubble count? Should I start with 1 bubble per second and check the PH in 1 hour, 2 hours, 3 hours?

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esarkipato · 01-13-2006, 01:30 PM

If you want to test whether it is more efficient, keep the same bubble count as you have now (what IS your current setup?) but plumb it through the new reactor. If the pH drops a little, it's more efficient. If it stays the same or rises, the reactor is equal or less efficient.

I would give it at least a day to let the pH stabilize, and make sure you take readings at the same time of day. HTH

zelmo · 01-13-2006, 01:51 PM

I have pressurized CO2 that goes through a solenoid (on light timer) to the needle valve and then into the intake on a Magnum 350. The bubble stream is too fast to count.

The question isn't how to figure out if the new reactor is more efficient. I really want to know how quickly readings change so I can check the PH to see if I am injecting too little or too much. (More the latter so I don't stress the fish.)

tazcrash69 · 01-13-2006, 02:59 PM

FYI On my 55 with Rex Reactor, I use about ~1 BPS (60 bpm) to get ~30 ppm CO2.
I let it run overnight before retesting.

malkore · 01-13-2006, 03:07 PM

I'd let it run at least 4 hours...that should be enough to see a change...but isn't necessarily long enough for it to equalize...meaning pH could still drop further after 4 hours.
Overnight is really how long it should go before you decide if you need to increase/decrease CO2 flow.

zelmo · 01-13-2006, 03:18 PM

taz -

Have you ever turned off your surface skimmer to see if that affects the CO2 concentration?

tazcrash69 · 01-13-2006, 03:26 PM

Sorry no I haven't. Honeslty, there isn't much tubulance in the overflow, so while it is probably outgassing some, I doubt (only a semi-educated guess) it's losing much.

01-13-2006, 01:15 PM	#1 (permalink)
zelmo Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Harrisburg, PA Posts: 132	CO2 response time I built my Rex reactor and will be installing it this weekend. In my current setup I need a huge bubble count to get the CO2 level to be near the correct level in my 150g tank. That is why I built the reactor. If we assume the Rex reactor will be more efficient (if it isn't I am going to be PO!), how long will it take to see a change in PH readings as I adjust the bubble count? Should I start with 1 bubble per second and check the PH in 1 hour, 2 hours, 3 hours?

01-13-2006, 01:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
esarkipato Planted Tank Infatuated (View User Tanks) PTrader: (28) Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: W. Michigan Posts: 1,985	If you want to test whether it is more efficient, keep the same bubble count as you have now (what IS your current setup?) but plumb it through the new reactor. If the pH drops a little, it's more efficient. If it stays the same or rises, the reactor is equal or less efficient. I would give it at least a day to let the pH stabilize, and make sure you take readings at the same time of day. HTH __________________ -Ernie 29 Gallon Tank: 110W PC Lights, Milwaukee MA957 CO2, Fluorite/Sand Substrate, Checked into E.I. Rehab MY RENA FILSTAR XP3 PIMPS ME! (#67)

01-13-2006, 02:59 PM	#4 (permalink)
tazcrash69 Scape? What's a scape? (View User Tanks) PTrader: (21) Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Hawthorne, NJ Posts: 2,820	FYI On my 55 with Rex Reactor, I use about ~1 BPS (60 bpm) to get ~30 ppm CO2. I let it run overnight before retesting. __________________ Walter Visit my 125 profile and gallery or my 5 gallon low-tech. Proud member of: --May the floor under your tank always be dry!!!

01-13-2006, 03:07 PM	#5 (permalink)
malkore Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lincoln, NE Posts: 2,165	I'd let it run at least 4 hours...that should be enough to see a change...but isn't necessarily long enough for it to equalize...meaning pH could still drop further after 4 hours. Overnight is really how long it should go before you decide if you need to increase/decrease CO2 flow. __________________ Malkore Filstar XP2 PIMP #3 Visit my aquarium pages - see specs on my tanks, and photos of how they've evolved

01-13-2006, 03:26 PM	#7 (permalink)
tazcrash69 Scape? What's a scape? (View User Tanks) PTrader: (21) Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Hawthorne, NJ Posts: 2,820	Sorry no I haven't. Honeslty, there isn't much tubulance in the overflow, so while it is probably outgassing some, I doubt (only a semi-educated guess) it's losing much. __________________ Walter Visit my 125 profile and gallery or my 5 gallon low-tech. Proud member of: --May the floor under your tank always be dry!!!

01-13-2006, 01:51 PM	#3 (permalink)
zelmo Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Harrisburg, PA Posts: 132	I have pressurized CO2 that goes through a solenoid (on light timer) to the needle valve and then into the intake on a Magnum 350. The bubble stream is too fast to count. The question isn't how to figure out if the new reactor is more efficient. I really want to know how quickly readings change so I can check the PH to see if I am injecting too little or too much. (More the latter so I don't stress the fish.)

01-13-2006, 03:18 PM	#6 (permalink)
zelmo Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Harrisburg, PA Posts: 132	taz - Have you ever turned off your surface skimmer to see if that affects the CO2 concentration?

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