Newbie at planted tank needs info!!! Thanks!!

[PeterGwee]

Firstly, experts out there.

1)What is your initial pH and KH values before dosing CO2?

2)How do you determine how much bubbles to inject?

3)If need to monitor pH and KH values when and how often do you'll do it?

4)Does the pH drop to a certain level and stop there with dosing of CO2? Does the bubbling rate play a part to the final pH or is it just slower pH drop with lower rate of injection?

5)Do you guys opt for a certain pH and then attempt to get that value? If yes, how? Estimate??? Take how long??

6)Finally, how long does a CO2 tank last before you decide to change the tank due to safety reasons? Can solenoids be bought at lfs like C328 or is it only obtainable at those "wulu wulu factory place"??? No car leh..so far!!![]

Sorrie for such a long post...thanks for all the help given[]

[vinz]

1. KH around 0 or 1. Ph near 7.
2.
- Decide what pH you want to achieve.
- Go look at a CO2, pH, KH chart like this. Look up your optimal CO2 level for the pH you want and then determine your target KH.
- Use KH-up powder or sodium bicarbonate a.k.a. baking soda (not baking powder) to raise your KH to the target level. Do not raise to the target level immediately, about 1 or 2 KH every 24 hrs. Otherwise, you will stress your fishes, maybe killing them.
- Set your CO2 to bubble at maybe 10 to 20 bubbles every 10 seconds. For a large tank, more, small tank, less.
- Measure your pH with a test kit on the next day, about 2 to 3 hours after lights and CO2 come on.
- Adjust the CO2 bubbling accordingly. Increase bubbling to lower pH and vice versa.
- Repeat measure and adjust until satisfied.

3. Get a pH test kit and KH test kit. If you keep your CO2 constant, and don't do anything that might alter your pH, you only need the KH test kit after setting your bubbling rate. Initially measure your KH everytime you change water. After a few times, you'll have an idea how much your KH will drop with each water change and then just dose accordingly without having to test so often.

4. Yes. A certain rate of bubbling will pretty much fix your pH, provided all other factors, including KH stays constant.

5. Yes. See 2.

6. A 5 litre tank lasts my 1m x 0.45m x 0.45m (54 gallons) about a year, before requiring top up. CO2 equipment can be bought at most planted tank LFS, such as Nature, Aquamart, Petmart, Systems and Control engr. Search the forum for recommendations on good prices. You can call the shops for quotes.