pH controller

[vratenza]

Any recommended pH controller? Brand and estimated pricing?
Where to get?

Is it advisable to use pH controller to have a fuss free CO2 injection control?
I remember that KH value affects the pH values as well...so if I am intending to use ADA amazonia II, the pH controller may not be accurate?

Please advise!

[vratenza]

anyone with experience to share?

[Philosophos]

KH does not effect CO2. You can not increase or decrease your CO2 through adding or removing HCO3. Rather, with a given pH and KH, a certain CO2 is indicated by the discrepancy.

pH controllers serve to control the pH more than to offer stable CO2 levels. pH can can change without CO2 levels altering. CO2 lacking or fluctuating too much can cause issues with algae. I prefer a drop checker, dual gauge regulator, needle valve, timer and a solenoid. CO2 only gets as high as where I set the needle valve, and if it's too low the drop checker will be blue.

If you have a way around the fluctuating CO2 issue though, a controller might very well work for you.

-Philosophos

[vratenza]

Thanks for the reply!

I guess I understand what you are getting at.... Essentially you are saying that having a stable pH may not mean a stable CO2 level in the water..right?

From what little I remember from my limited chemistry lessons, co2 + h2o will form H+ ions which determines the pH value...so there is a direct correlation in the amount of H+ vs the amount of dissolved co2...am I right?
So, what other factors in the tank will upset this direct correlation?

[Philosophos]

Yes, but that's only working it out in one direction. The pH meter responds to pH, and CO2 is not the only thing effecting it. Phosphates, NH4, NO3, Fe and CaCO3 will all effect pH. Depending on your fertilization, water change, growth/death of flora/fauna, life of your bulbs, filtration rate (including aging filter media), the angle of a rain bar if you're using one, feeding, medication, etc. all of the aforementioned chemicals plus many others can change. Any of these can alter pH. And then there's the accuracy of your equipment; if you forget to keep it clean, it will not react reliably. On most days they won't make a difference, but some times they will. When they do, the CO2 will fluctuate and this will add to your algae.

That and there's always wondering what happens with the CO2 if someone brings over a child, and they try to, "feed" your fish with antacids.

This is the sort of reason I've avoided pH controllers.

-Philosophos

[Shadow]

there are lots of factor can can effect pH, not only CO2. Thus pH controller become very much unreliable.

You only need to control CO2 when first install or replace for top up. After that, just leave it alone. I never touch my CO2 valve since it was installed. I believe will keep doing so until time for top-up. pretty much fuss free to me

[vratenza]

all right! Thanks for all the input...I'm convinced now that I am better off putting my money somewhere else....thinking hard on ADA lily pipes!

[Philosophos]

If you can find the comparable pipes from another company cheaper, don't be afraid to buy from another source. Pyrex isn't that difficult to make, and that little white ADA logo adds $40 or more.

Are you thinking on lilly pipes for your 6ft? If you're having flow problems, I'm not sure that will help. A product similar to this might, though:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...5&pcatid=15955

-Philosophos

[Shadow]

His tank is 2 ft, if not mistaken from other thread

You can get other brand lily pipe for $75-$80 per set

[vratenza]

If you can find the comparable pipes from another company cheaper, don't be afraid to buy from another source. Pyrex isn't that difficult to make, and that little white ADA logo adds $40 or more.

Are you thinking on lilly pipes for your 6ft? If you're having flow problems, I'm not sure that will help. A product similar to this might, though:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...5&pcatid=15955

-Philosophos

I think it's time I change my siggy and blog link....
My 6 ft tank is in the process of being sold off.
I am currently researching for my 2X1X1 ft tank which i intend to rescape to an Iwagumi scape. That's where the lily pipes come into the picture
sorry for the confusion

[vratenza]

His tank is 2 ft, if not mistaken from other thread

You can get other brand lily pipe for $75-$80 per set

Actually I am also considering the CAL aqua nano 13mm set at $105... but worried that the inflow may be too short?

Do you have any other brands to recommend for my tank size? I am intending to get an Eheim 2026..... so will need to get a tubing step-down from 16/22 to 12/16 to fit a 13mm lily pipe. 17mm lily pipe will be too big, I think.

[illumnae]

I managed to get the pm nano ones at $53 off ebay including shipping and insurance. Slightly more hassle and you don't get it immediately unlike buying from shop, but cost savings worth it 13mm ones should be similarly priced

[Shadow]

Actually my ANS inflow is too long for my 2ftx1ftx1.2ft ... CAL may also the same. Someone should have measured the dimension and post it on the net somewhere

[Shadow]

I managed to get the pm nano ones at $53 off ebay including shipping and insurance. Slightly more hassle and you don't get it immediately unlike buying from shop, but cost savings worth it 13mm ones should be similarly priced

Does it someone selling his or ebay shop?
if shop, an give me the link thanks

[Philosophos]

Ah, 2ft iwugami. A lilly pipe would look good in one.

Eheim is the best you can get if you don't mind paying for it, as far as I know. It's what I hope to upgrade to. Are you thinking on going with the internal heater?

-Philosophos

[vratenza]

Actually my ANS inflow is too long for my 2ftx1ftx1.2ft ... CAL may also the same. Someone should have measured the dimension and post it on the net somewhere

is yours this set?


seem pretty long to fit a 1 feet depth especially with a high slope substrate

[vratenza]

"Influx X1 (13mm)
The Influx X1 is designed for aquariums approximately 15-25 cm (6-10") in height such as the ADA Mini-S and Mini-M. The outflow can be used with canister filters with 1/2" diameter tubing such as the Eheim 2215. The total length of the outflow is approximately 15 cm from top to bottom and has multiple narrow slits towards the bottom end. Each inflow is supplied with one suction cup to secure it to the side of the aquarium."


so this one is about half the length of the iflo ones....but more ex

[Philosophos]

What stops the fish from getting sucked up those things?

-Philosophos

[Shadow]

Yes mine look like that, though the new model I saw at KS, the inlet is look more like CAL. Unless I remember wrongly

What stops the fish from getting sucked up those things?

none that is why I do not use the inlet. I found my Yamato shrimps stuck there couple of time. However, I never encounter stuck fish though, maybe they are smarter or maybe because Yamato is crawling around the inlet.

[illumnae]

Actually my ANS inflow is too long for my 2ftx1ftx1.2ft ... CAL may also the same. Someone should have measured the dimension and post it on the net somewhere

Search ebay for the lily pipes. Sellers post dimensions there. Will pm you the link i bought my $53 nano lily pipes from. They are pending collection at the post office tomorrow (as i wasn't home when registered mail delivered)