CO2 PH Controller

barako927 · 11-17-2003, 06:15 AM

I'm new to this hobby as far as planted tank, I use to have a Tang cichlid tank. I have a 135G tank and I was wondering if the PH in my tank is stabilize to a PH of 6.5. With the PH controller basically it will not turn on the co2 until the change in PH. Is that okay if the co2 does not turn on for a long period of time?

Thanks..
Jose

Rex Grigg · 11-17-2003, 01:21 PM

What pH is your water source? What is the kH of th water source? What is the kH of your tank? If you have a constant pH of 6.5 in your tank then you must have very low hardness. Either that or your pH monitor needs to be calibrated. Try doing a regular pH test on the tank. I'm betting you have a hardware failure somewhere either that or you are adding some kind of pH buffer to lower the pH.

barako927 · 11-17-2003, 04:02 PM

Rex.. I don't use any buffer on the tank.. The water source ph is usually around 7.8. I haven't really tested for KH yet but will do when I get home. I will try to calibrate ph controller again tonight as well.

Rex Grigg · 11-18-2003, 02:18 AM

Ok, so no buffer. You really should not be playing with CO2 unless you know your kH. The reason being is if you have high kH and have a 1.3 point drop in your pH you can have lethal levels of CO2 in your water.

barako927 · 11-18-2003, 03:02 AM

The KH reading is 0.6 and re-calibrated my controller and it's set okay..

Rex Grigg · 11-19-2003, 12:07 AM

With a kH of .6 and a 1.3 point drop in your pH you are ok. In fact looking at the pH/kH/CO2 chart with a pH of 6.5 and a kH of .6 you really don't have a lot of CO2 in the water. Do you by chance have a water softener?

barako927 · 11-19-2003, 04:35 AM

Rex.. I made a mistake with the KH measurement.. I used a saltwater tester because I have a reef tank as well. I bought the tester and will test it using FW tester instead.

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11-17-2003, 06:15 AM	#1
barako927 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 8	I'm new to this hobby as far as planted tank, I use to have a Tang cichlid tank. I have a 135G tank and I was wondering if the PH in my tank is stabilize to a PH of 6.5. With the PH controller basically it will not turn on the co2 until the change in PH. Is that okay if the co2 does not turn on for a long period of time? Thanks.. Jose

11-17-2003, 01:21 PM	#2
Rex Grigg Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (65/100%) Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Portland Orygun Posts: 9,600	What pH is your water source? What is the kH of th water source? What is the kH of your tank? If you have a constant pH of 6.5 in your tank then you must have very low hardness. Either that or your pH monitor needs to be calibrated. Try doing a regular pH test on the tank. I'm betting you have a hardware failure somewhere either that or you are adding some kind of pH buffer to lower the pH.

11-17-2003, 04:02 PM	#3
barako927 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 8	Rex.. I don't use any buffer on the tank.. The water source ph is usually around 7.8. I haven't really tested for KH yet but will do when I get home. I will try to calibrate ph controller again tonight as well.

11-18-2003, 02:18 AM	#4
Rex Grigg Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (65/100%) Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Portland Orygun Posts: 9,600	Ok, so no buffer. You really should not be playing with CO2 unless you know your kH. The reason being is if you have high kH and have a 1.3 point drop in your pH you can have lethal levels of CO2 in your water.

11-18-2003, 03:02 AM	#5
barako927 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 8	The KH reading is 0.6 and re-calibrated my controller and it's set okay..

11-19-2003, 12:07 AM	#6
Rex Grigg Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (65/100%) Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Portland Orygun Posts: 9,600	With a kH of .6 and a 1.3 point drop in your pH you are ok. In fact looking at the pH/kH/CO2 chart with a pH of 6.5 and a kH of .6 you really don't have a lot of CO2 in the water. Do you by chance have a water softener?

11-19-2003, 04:35 AM	#7
barako927 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 8	Rex.. I made a mistake with the KH measurement.. I used a saltwater tester because I have a reef tank as well. I bought the tester and will test it using FW tester instead.