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So I'm I doing the DC Wrong?

758 Views 13 Replies 3 Participants Last post by  mpodolan, 
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OK guys and gals; I just planted my tank on Sat and I'm a little worried to say the least. I installed the DC this afternoon and I'm still at what I can see 0 CO2 and it's been running for about 3 days now. I took some pictures of my DIY reactor. Is cycling thru the outlet of my Mag external pump. I used BIO Balls with 2" PVC. I still see bubbles coming out the outlet. My plants, in my opinion, do not look so good. I also ferted with 12.5ml trace, 10ml comprehensive, 55 Potassium, 7.5 Iron a my Nitrate is @ 5-10 ppm. The PH is 6.8. Any thoughts or Im I just be a worry wart? A couple of shots




Thanks! Tom

Also are little bubbles out of the reactor normal?
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Rex Grigg
First things first.

Is the CO2 turned on?
Is there a check valve installed backwards?
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I think so; the main valve is open and reading about 1000 PSI with the decond @ 2psi
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Rex Grigg
Try raising the low side pressure. Could be that your gauge is stuck at 2 psi and not feeding in any CO2.

What's the bubble rate? Do you have a bubble counter?
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Rex Grigg said:
Try raising the low side pressure. Could be that your gauge is stuck at 2 psi and not feeding in any CO2.

What's the bubble rate? Do you have a bubble counter?
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Yep got a bubble counter about 3-4 a second; that is I turned it up from about 1-2
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Lights are a 130 WATT PC - on about 12 hours a day.
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Man if my plants are having a hard time I can imagine my fish may


:( I really could just be crazy
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Also, I'm trying to keep the followinig plants;
Crypt Bronze Wendtii Pot
Red Temple
Dwarf Sagittari
Val Contortion
Rotale Indica R Round
Hornwort

Sorry I forgot to add that; thanks for any help;
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Rex Grigg
You need some actual ferts in the tank. And how are you testing for CO2 levels?
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Thanks for all your help with my issues! Fertilizing with 12.5ml trace, 10ml comprehensive, 55ml Potassium, 7.5 Iron a my Nitrate is @ 5-10 ppm. Using another dose of Potassium and comprehesive on the forth day. I plan on a 40% water change after seven days and start all over.

Using the Drop Checker from Blacksunshine.
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What concerns me is my Val Contortion plants; some of the tips are browning. Is this just normal and part of the Acclimation process? Should I just be giving the tank some time?
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mpodolan
It is pretty common for vals to brown/lose some leaves while they acclimate. I'd say that is likely what's happening for you right now. Just give it time. Enjoy the process and good luck!
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mpodolan said:
It is pretty common for vals to brown/lose some leaves while they acclimate. I'd say that is likely what's happening for you right now. Just give it time. Enjoy the process and good luck!
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Thanks for the imput and I think you're right! The CO2 Drop Checker is now at a nice lime green and Rex also pointed out I might have the reactor upsidedown....which he was right! I flipped it and all is well no more bubbles just a very fine mist coming out! You guys rock thanks!

ALSO GO BLUE THIS WEEKEND! My wife is a U of M alumni!

Happy planting Tom
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mpodolan
Excellent, I graduated from there in '04
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