[generic_forum_name]

Hi,

I'm struggling to find guidance on a few things; hope you can help. First, some specs:

• 44 gallon tank (about five weeks old)
• Injected CO2 (on a timer/solenoid)
• Eheim Cannister Filter
• 45 GPH Powerhead
• Aquascaped
• Lots of Wood & Plants (mostly stem)
• Light-to_medium Bio Load

I mention that stuff only because I think it may be relevant (or not). Here's the deal:
In the last few weeks, I feel like I have gotten the CO2 dialed-in, which is to say that I haven't been seeing the fish doing massive O2 bong hits at the surface, or going for oxygen, and it's also to say that it looks like the plants are getting what they need in gas quantity/distribution. And the Drop Checker has that color of green that looks--visually--the way it should. Not yellow; not blue. Green. But, in the last few days, I've noticed the fish (ember tetras/lemon tetras) gasping for O2, but only in the morning, when I wake up. Note: there is currently very little surface agitation; neither the filter outflow lily pipe nor the powerhead move the water up top more than just a ripple.

The first time I saw that, I did a >20% water change, added more Prime, and that seemed to have fixed it. I've also tried playing around w/ the powerhead, hoping that water flow or current might help in some way. But I want to learn more about how best to find the 'goldilocks' zone, where the fish and happy and healthy, the plants get gas, and there are no 'issues'. Sadly, I've had trouble finding useful or consistent info in forums, or the usual places.

Questions:

Should I just turn down the CO2, at the expense of the plants? I'd hate to do that as I have a minor algae problem, and I think the CO2 level is actually a bit low, anyway, given the Drop Checker color.
Should I mess with the powerhead again to increase surface agitation? If so, will that cause the CO2 to decrease, at the expense of increased O2?
Should I strive for a general increase in surface agitation?

Thanks in advance for any useful info on this matter.

 

[jeffkrol]

Plants continue to respire at night, as do fish .
Plants will not be producing much O2 at night..

Could be you are running low on O2 and high on CO2 at night..

May need to check the CO2 to make sure it's actually shutting off at night.
May need to shut the solenoid down sooner
May need more surface agitation at night to increase Atm. O2 uptake..


May be something totally different..

Timing is suspicious though..

 

[mgeorges]

Questions:

Should I just turn down the CO2, at the expense of the plants? I'd hate to do that as I have a minor algae problem, and I think the CO2 level is actually a bit low, anyway, given the Drop Checker color.
Should I mess with the powerhead again to increase surface agitation? If so, will that cause the CO2 to decrease, at the expense of increased O2?
Should I strive for a general increase in surface agitation?

Thanks in advance for any useful info on this matter.

I would not turn down CO2, just up surface agitation. I caution against aiming Eheim's spraybar too much towards the surface...I've had a tank empty overnight because the water level dropped and it just shot water onto the floor. Not a good deal. You could aim your power head so that it creates turbulence at the waters surface. Anything that breaks the surface tension is good. As far as CO2 loss at the expense of increased O2, I wouldn't worry about it. Surface agitation is more important. You can up your CO2 a tiny bit if necessary, this is better than asphyxiating fish.

To add on to Jeff's points, CO2 should be getting shut off 1 hour before lights out.

Also, don't overdose Prime. I've killed half a tank of fish doing this, it binds O2 after it runs out of ammoia and chlorine.

 

[generic_forum_name]

Gotcha. Good info. Thanks for that. I will tweak that powerhead.

 

[Maryland Guppy]

What is the difference between pH of de-gassed water and water @ prime time photoperiod.
Most target a 1.0pH drop minimum.
This 1 pt. drop does not usually affect phish.