[msc]

Hook up pressurized co2 yesterday. It’s 2 stage regulator (airco), Have the low side set at 15lb. Fabco needle valve. Valve is open about ¼ turn, getting 1bs. Hagen mini for a diffuser. Red sea drop checker, using a 4dkh from ebay with api, Ph solution. The diffuser is on the right side, drop checker is on the left side.
I have tried driftnet setting on the regulator, low set at 5 then 10
All the fish seem ok, 11 black tetras swimming med tank 4 ottos staying on the bottom.
No matter what I do the d/c reads in the yellow, even had my wife look at it and she says I am seeing right. Is there a way to check the 4dkh solution to see if it is a true 4dkh
Thank you for any help

 

[smp]

Check it with a KH test kit.

What is the PH, KH of the tank?
How big is the tank?

 

[msc]

Thank you, that’s the test kit I forgot to get LOL. Well back to the lfs.
Tank is a 20 long, ph is 6.4

 

[Darkblade48]

I agree with smp; how big is your tank?

In addition, the first thing to do is to check whether the 4 dkH reference solution is indeed 4 dkH (and not just water...).

 

[msc]

Thank you for the help. The tank is a 20Long, Ph is 6.4.Got the Kh test kit this morning, the test for 4dkh solution shows it is a true 4dkh. Do Ph test kits go bad, maybe it is the Ph solution? Looking at the tank now, Co2 has been off for 10 hours. The drop checker looks a nice green. Red sea drop checker. How much of the Ph solution should I use, I use 4 drops? Maybe I need more. All the fish seem fine.

 

[OverStocked]

Put more pH solution in, for starters. Second, add more co2 and allow it time to mix. What kind of filter? No airstones are surface agitation?

 

[msc]

There is no airstone, filter is an xp1 using the spray bar. Just playing with the 4dkh solution and a test tube, I think you are right I need more Ph solution.
Thank you for all the help

 

[msc]

Turns out it was the mix, 4dkh, Ph solutions. Was using too much Ph, 4 drops. Only needed 2 drops.

 

[Darkblade48]

Strange. The number of drops of bromothymol blue (the pH reagent) added should not affect readings at all.

In fact, I usually put in anywhere from 6-8 drops of bromothymol blue with no ill effects.