CO2 tester

[dts_spawn]

Can anyone tell me how those CO2 tester works? brands like sere, JBL, dennel(sp?) especially those with a "container" that you place in the tank.

[chua]

Hi

I believe that not many people use the CO2 tester.

Normally, we use the pH and kH testers which is a must for planted tank.
Then from the two readings obtained, we can determine the CO2 level using tables or conversions. The tables or conversions can be easily obtain from the forum.

Hope this help.

[Cacatuoides]

I have ADA dropchecker in my tank, it does show the CO2 level in my tank by the color and i also double check using the PH n KH method....

the dropchecker changes color accordingly to the CO2 level in the tank....
great buy i must say..

[dts_spawn]

I know about the pH and kH meathod but i find it quite troublesome. And does the other kind of testers work the same way too? By changing colour while in the tank? Because i heard from on guy here that the way it works is by taking out the "container" put in the tester and the tank water and then put the container in the tank for show. It does not change colur while in the tank. So the "container" basically acts like a test tube.

[tawauboy]

its a question of convenience or accuracy.
co2 tester should work based on the same principle as ph/kh.
you pre-mix tank water and tester liquid before putting them into container for placement into your tank.
it shows you 'insufficient', 'sufficient' and 'overdose' but do you know what 'sufficient' means? 10-20ppm? 20-30ppm?
also the response time of in-tank co2 tester is slow. somewhere close to an hour to register a change.
and you need to change the liquid in the container whenever you change your tank water to maintain 'accuracy'.

[dts_spawn]

oh. sound real bad. guess i won't be investing in one of those then. thanks!

[tawauboy]

believe you are looking for something that is accurate and easy to use.
doubt there is anything affordable that can tell you co2 concentration in you tank instantaneously.
a ph test pen would be something you should look at.
not really cheap but easy to use. just dip and check the ph.
however, you still need to know your tank kh value.
with ph and kh, you'll have co2 concentration.

[dts_spawn]

yes. i guess i'll stick to the pH and kH tester for now.

[eriond]

[quote:ddf65cc86a="chua"]Hi

I believe that not many people use the CO2 tester.

Normally, we use the pH and kH testers which is a must for planted tank.
Then from the two readings obtained, we can determine the CO2 level using tables or conversions. The tables or conversions can be easily obtain from the forum.

Hope this help.[/quote:ddf65cc86a]


HI,
just wondering where can the tables or conversion be found in the forum ?
thanks

[tawauboy]

try the aquatic faq section.
else check from web using the terms 'ph/kh' or 'co2 chart'.