How to balance c02

[Fishowner24]

I need some video recommendations on how to balance c02 with my lighting and fertilizer. Thanks!

 

[Freshfishguy]

I need some video recommendations on how to balance c02 with my lighting and fertilizer. Thanks!

The best way to make sure you’re injecting the right amount of CO2 is to determine your KH first. If it is between 1-10, then you want to shoot for a PH drop of 1 between when CO2 comes on and 1-3 hours after injection starting. Buy a PH meter, like this one: pH Meter, Dr.meter Upgraded 0.01 Resolution High Accuracy pH Tester with Backlit Two-Color LCD Display and ATC, 0-14pH Measurement Range with Data Hold Function Digital pH Tester Pen-PH838 pH Meter, Dr.meter Upgraded 0.01 Resolution High Accuracy pH Tester with Backlit Two-Color LCD Display and ATC, 0-14pH Measurement Range with Data Hold Function Digital pH Tester Pen-PH838: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific. Measure the PH in your tank right before the CO2 comes on. Then measure it after its been on for an hour-3 hours. It should have dropped by 1 point.
Here are two extremely helpful videos on CO2 as requested also:

. Feel free to PM me if you have any issues or further questions about your tank or balancing ferts/light .

 

[Fishowner24]

The best way to make sure you’re injecting the right amount of CO2 is to determine your KH first. If it is between 1-10, then you want to shoot for a PH drop of 1 between when CO2 comes on and 1-3 hours after injection starting. Buy a PH meter, like this one: pH Meter, Dr.meter Upgraded 0.01 Resolution High Accuracy pH Tester with Backlit Two-Color LCD Display and ATC, 0-14pH Measurement Range with Data Hold Function Digital pH Tester Pen-PH838 pH Meter, Dr.meter Upgraded 0.01 Resolution High Accuracy pH Tester with Backlit Two-Color LCD Display and ATC, 0-14pH Measurement Range with Data Hold Function Digital pH Tester Pen-PH838: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific. Measure the PH in your tank right before the CO2 comes on. Then measure it after its been on for an hour-3 hours. It should have dropped by 1 point.

Here is a website that has great info on all things planted tank related: www.2hraquarist.com. Here are two extremely helpful videos on CO2 as requested also:

. Feel free to PM me if you have any issues or further questions about your tank or balancing ferts/light .

What needs to happen after the 3 hours because my c02 tank is on more than 3 hours

 

[Freshfishguy]

What needs to happen after the 3 hours because my c02 tank is on more than 3 hours

Sorry I should have asked—are you injecting via a DIY method or a pressurized CO2 system? Do you have a regulator with a solenoid? If you’re using a pressurized system, 1-3 hours of the CO2 coming on your PH should drop 1 full point. So if right before your CO2 comes on your PH measures 7, after 1-3 hours it should measure 6. Ideally you want your lights to come on when the PH has reached around 30ppm in the water column, which is how much CO2 you’ll have in the water if you drop the PH by 1 point.

 

[Fishowner24]

Sorry I should have asked—are you injecting via a DIY method or a pressurized CO2 system? Do you have a regulator with a solenoid? If you’re using a pressurized system, 1-3 hours of the CO2 coming on your PH should drop 1 full point. So if right before your CO2 comes on your PH measures 7, after 1-3 hours it should measure 6. Ideally you want your lights to come on when the PH has reached around 30ppm in the water column, which is how much CO2 you’ll have in the water if you drop the PH by 1 point.

I have a pressurized c02 with a solenoid. And so would I have to turn on the c02 one hour before lights come on so I drops by 1 ppm by the time lights come on?

 

[Freshfishguy]

I have a pressurized c02 with a solenoid. And so would I have to turn on the c02 one hour before lights come on so I drops by 1 ppm by the time lights come on?

Yeah you got it. The goal is to get the PH to drop one point from when CO2 comes on to when the lights come on. To do that, you can adjust how much CO2 you’re injecting and how long before you have the lights turn on (between 1-3 hours after having the CO2 come on). How long is your lighting period?

 

[Fishowner24]

Yeah you got it. The goal is to get the PH to drop one point from when CO2 comes on to when the lights come on. To do that, you can adjust how much CO2 you’re injecting and how long before you have the lights turn on (between 1-3 hours after having the CO2 come on). How long is your lighting period?

8 hours I can increase it to should I?

 

[Freshfishguy]

8 hours I can increase it to should I?

No I would leave it at 8 hours. I would have the CO2 turn off one hour before your lights turn off too.