Help with CO2 level

[Fishfrd]

Hi ervyone,

I am new to this forum. In fact i am pretty new in fish keeping hobby. I tried to set up a low maintainence tank with nana/ferns/moss hoping that it won't give me too much trouble. Unfortunately i had been hit with algae problem ( i think its Black brush algae and hair algae). I tried reading up and also bought a couple of test kits.

Info about my tank:
2 feet by 1 feet by 1 feet
Substrate ADA soil, no base fertiliser
Temperature 26-28deg celcius
Lighting 1 to 2 watts per gallon for 6 hours a day
ph 5.0 to 5.5
kh 1
Water change 30% weekly to twice weekly
Inhabitants: 15 small fishes
C02 injector 24/7 at 1b ervy 2 seconds

I don't have any info on my nitrate/phosphate and other levels.
I tried usng the 'Chuck's' CO2 calculator and derived a C02 value of ?300ppm. I do not think this is possible cos my fishes seem happy enuff (at least to me). I am wondering if there are other buffers (from the ADA soil) . in my tank resulting in the wrongly calculated value. I am trying to troubleshoot starting from CO2 level to find out the root cause of my algae problem. Would appreciate any help!. Thanks

[chua]

I think you have to start by raising your kH first.
You must have a minimum kH of at least 2 or above.
Otherwise, it will not be able to buffer you pH.

After raising your kH to at least 2 using sodium bicarbonate, check your CO2 using chuck's caculator.

Try to obtain your CO2 level in the range of 20-35ppm.

Hope this help.

[Fishfrd]

Thanks for reply! I would prefer not to raise the kH if possible (trying to keep the water soft)..is there any way of knowing the CO2 level?

[Plantbrain]

Not really

The CO2 equation is linear but the pH scale is not.
The lower the KH, that harder it will become and the more influences any other buffering from peat etc will become.

There is no need for a KH of 1, does not matter what the fish, you can breed virtually all fish at 2-3 KH.

If breeding is the main focus, which seems doubtful since you are just starting out, I would suggest you raise the KH with baking soda.

Do not be so set against changing the KH, there is no fish you want to keep that requires a KH of 1. This is FAR less critical than you apparently have been led to believe.

Healthy plants= healthy fish. You will figure this out either now or many years later after considerable expense and money spent on fish and medications, your choice.

I've bred Discus at a KH of 6. We keep Altums at a KH of 3-4.
Fish eat well and the Discus breed and they are all wild caught fish.

So.........

Regards,
Tom Barr

[budak]

Though good to look at, one problem with ADA soil is that it renders the KH/pH/CO2 table haywire, especially in the initial period when it's acidifying effect is greatest. It's still possible to grow algae-free tanks with it, but you need to get KH up (to4-5) as with the soil, I think your CO2 level will be much lower than what's indicated in the table. But if you want a low maintenance tank, why not do without CO2 altogether?

Take a look at the low light, non-CO2 "biotope" tank at Eco Culture LFS, which has just ferns and anubias. The plants are growing very nicely, with no algae at all.

[Fishfrd]

Thanks for all the advice. I would attempt to raise the kH to between 2 to 3. I have heard of using baking soda to raise the kH. How about those 'kH plus' solutions in the market, are they safe to use?

And after i raise my kH, where do i go from there? I doubt the chuck's calculator is going to help with determining the CO2 level in my tank..beside changing water as frequently as i can, shall i test for phosphates and nitrates and K to help solve my algae problem?

[chua]

I am not too sure about the kH plus but why not use sodium bicarbonate.
It is definitely cheaper.

Once you get your desired kH, use a test kit or test pen to obtain your pH.
Using both the kH and pH values, you will be able to obtain your CO2 level in your tank using the CO2 chuck's calculator.

About other test kits such as NO3......, i personally feel that it is not necessary. Furthermore, they may not be accurate.

To prevent algae,
you have to work in the following order.

light - CO2 - NO3 - PO4 - k - trace elements

Once you are able to solve each problem, carry on to the next one.

Have to act fast else problem will arise.

Thks.

[chua]

One more thing.

If you are not able to obtain the CO2 level in the range of 20-35ppm.

You can simply adjust your pH by varying the CO2 injection.

This is a very important step.