Drop Checker 2 colours?

[destress]

Hi there,

I just got myself an ocean free drop checker yesterday but the result is like 2 colours. Is this normal? It has been like 10 hours already.

[destress]

Sorry, photo attached here.

[Urban Aquaria]

Did you happen to mix the indicator solution with aquarium water? Its already pre-mixed so should only be used on its own.

Also check that there is no leak into the indicator chamber, sometimes if that happens, the aquarium water mix with the indicator liquid and affect the colors.

Otherwise, it could just be the indicator liquid transiting between colors.

[destress]

Nope, I didn't mix it as the instructions didn't say so.

Hmm., I will try to check for leak tonight, but I dont think so.

Will low water flow in that portion of the tank cause this? My HOB filter is placed at the other end of the tank while this drop checker is placed at the other. Tank width is about 44cm, but it is a short tank, so about 20l. Can't remember what is the HOB filter (re-used from previously decomm tank) but it is the smallest Boyu filter.

[Urban Aquaria]

Nope, I didn't mix it as the instructions didn't say so.

Hmm., I will try to check for leak tonight, but I dont think so.

Will low water flow in that portion of the tank cause this? My HOB filter is placed at the other end of the tank while this drop checker is placed at the other. Tank width is about 44cm, but it is a short tank, so about 20l. Can't remember what is the HOB filter (re-used from previously decomm tank) but it is the smallest Boyu filter.

Placing the drop check in a low flow area is fine (i do that too)... it can actually be good position to take measurements because if CO2 levels are okay in the low flow areas (those areas are usually the last places to get Co2), then it means the levels are most likely okay for the rest of the tank.

Btw, hang-on filters do tend to have limited flow paths due to their fixed outflow design so circulation may not be as optimal as it should be (compared to filters with outflows that can be adjusted and positioned), so if there are dead-spots in the tank and the drop checker is placed in those areas, it may result in the drop checker not showing sufficient Co2 levels. So your tank may end up with the high flow areas having sufficient Co2, but the low flow areas having low Co2. If that's the case, you'll need to find ways to improve the overall circulation in the tank to reduce dead-spots and get Co2 to all parts of the tank.

Not sure if it also helps, but i usually shake the indicator liquid bottle a few times before adding the solution into the drop checker, perhaps that might help in generating a more consistent solution color? Maybe can try and see.

[destress]

Thanks Urban! It is OK now. I came back from work and its ok Not sure why. Maybe the OF solution isn't that good?

Anyway, any idea what nutrients my plant is lacking? Setup is about 1 week old. Still cycling.

[Urban Aquaria]

Thanks Urban! It is OK now. I came back from work and its ok Not sure why. Maybe the OF solution isn't that good?

Probably you just noticed the color changing while it was in transition phase, drop checker solution colors change gradually over a period of time, it's not an instant effect. I use the Ocean Free premixed solution too and it works fine for my setups.

Anyway, any idea what nutrients my plant is lacking? Setup is about 1 week old. Still cycling.

Since the tank is only a week old, its unlikely there is shortage of nutrients as the aquasoil should be releasing ample amounts of it during this initial period.... so most likely the melting leaves is a result of the newly added emersed plants transiting to submersed environment. Just trim and remove the melting leaves and allow the plant to grow new healthy submersed leaves.