How Much CO2

[orangedeuce]

How much CO2 is consider the right amount to avoid problems such as BGA, BBA, etc??
What is the best way to measure the right amount of CO2 in the tank??
Pls advise, thanks.

[grey_fox]

30 to 35PPM of CO2 is the optimal range.

You can use the AQ calculator to measure your tank's CO2 PPM by taking your PH & KH values.

However, take note that PH & KH test kits are never accurate at all. What I did was to calibrate it with my tap water & tanks' water so its in a way 'customised' for myself.

Do a search for PeterGwee & PlantBrain's posts and you'll find lots of hidden treasure pertaining to this question.

[orangedeuce]

Thank you so much for your prompt reply.
I also read about some posts discussing on the quality of CO2, what does it mean??

[grey_fox]

Quality or quantity of CO2 pumped (bubble per second rate - BPS)? If you're referring about BPS that's a loose way of measuring CO2 PPM.

[orangedeuce]

Maybe I misread.
Let me try to search again. Thanks mate.

[grey_fox]

No worries

We all learn from one another.

[taz_boy]

play ard with the diff co2 bubble rates...

i used to be very stingy[2bps ~~30ppm], but still BBA come and find me..

now i just wack like 3-4bps, as long as the fishes are not gasping for air and plants are growing well w/o algae, then that should be "right amt of co2" u are refering to.

[aquarius]

[QUOTE=grey_fox]30 to 35PPM of CO2 is the optimal range.

You can use the AQ calculator to measure your tank's CO2 PPM by taking your PH & KH values.

From the Krib's Ph-Kh-CO2 chart, which Ph value should i take?

Below is a measurement of my tank Ph
1. just before lights on - 6
2. just before lights off - 5.4 or
3. actual ph/after bubbling the water to get rid of the access CO2 which in my case is about 6.8
photo period is 10hrs.

[PeterGwee]

25-40ppm is a good range to target for and needs to be maintained throughout the photoperiod. The other issue with CO2 is circulation. A new tank with barely grown in plants (depending on design) might have enough current to carry the CO2 enriched water to different parts of the tank/plants without issue but then later have issues once the plants are grown in due to retarding of flow. (In this case, cranking the CO2 higher instead of addressing the flow issue would stress the fish instead. Its not always crank it up mate!).

CO2 measurements need to be done over a course of a day or two to have an idea of what the CO2 is actually doing.

Regards
Peter Gwee

[orangedeuce]

Thanks all for your advices.
I will take all these into considerations.