Need help with CO2 fertilization

[5stars]

My CO2 rate is currently set at 1 bubble in 3-4 seconds in my 2 feet planted tank. Is that sufficient for my plants? Also, I read that the larger the diffuser's ceramic plate, the better. If I get a larger CO2 diffuser, will it work with my current bps rate?

[apisto31]

Hi Bro, generally, your CO2 dosing may not be sufficient but of course it all depends on what plants you keep in your 2 ft tank. Can you give us more info of your setup?
Pls search about the Drop Checker which is the most commonly used equipment to measure the CO2 level. \

cheers

[thebaldingaquarist]

i second apisto31. It largely depends on your plants and circulation of water. some plants can do without added CO2.

[Shadow]

First of all bps does not mean anything. It does not tell you how much CO2 dissolve in the water. It is just a gauge for you if you want to inject more or less. The amount of CO2 dissolve in the water is depend on how you inject it. Different type of diffuser have different result.

There are few way to measure CO2 in the tank
1. Measure pH, kH and use table to estimate the CO2 concentration. However this method only work if you 100% sure nothing in the tank that will change your water pH or kH.
2. Drop Checker. If the drop checker manual tell you to dilute, make sure to use kH = 4 solution instead of your tank water otherwise the result will not be accurate.

[5stars]

Thanks for the replies. I've just bought a drop checker online and am waiting for it to be delivered. My tank has quite alot of plants, including water sprite, vals, hairgrass and others whose names I don't know. I am currently using a medium sized diffuser at the bottom of the tank, and a tiny powerhead to spread out the bubbles that come out of the diffuser to try to increase the CO2 dissolve rate. Would a larger diffuser help? Anyone kows how long a 2 litre CO2 tank last at 1 bps and 1 bubble in 2 seconds?

[Shadow]

is not about the diffuser size, its about the size of bubble coming out from diffuser and how long does those bubble stay in the water. One thing to say is 1 bubble in 3-4 way to little

[blurless]

Anyone kows how long a 2 litre CO2 tank last at 1 bps and 1 bubble in 2 seconds?

Mine last about 9months+ or so going between 1bps and 1 bubble in 2 seconds.

[5stars]

Ok. I'll try increasing the bubble rate to 1 bubble per second