Re: Measuring PH

[williamng]

Hi

When should I measure my tank PH to get a correct reading? Before lights on?? I measure my tank PH 3 hours after light on and I get a ph of 7.3. Is it usual?? I am already injecting my CO2 at 3 bps with a KH of 6 to 7

[Sleepy_lancs]

Based on PH of 7.3 and KH at 6, your CO2 is very low 9ppm. It would be recommended to push the CO2 up to 20-30 ppm minimum

[Aeon]

If you are already at 3 bps, your dissolution rate is inefficient. get a reactor.

[williamng]

I am already using a reactor...What other problems can there be.......? Should I inject more CO2?

[PeterGwee]

How big is your tank by the way? Too low flow in/out of the reactor? Poor tank circulation? Too much surface turbulence or source of CO2 shedding?

Regards
PeterGwee

[williamng]

My tank is 4 ft long x 2ft wide....Using a cannister filter for filtration...

[Sleepy_lancs]

For that kind of tank size.. 3bps is nothing. I think you need to pump more co2 in. Your reactor could be ineffective as well

[PeterGwee]

What kind of reactor are you using? External or internal? Flow from canister filter? What is the filter flow rate if reactor hooked up to the filter? Sounds like a circulation and mixing problem in your tank. Hook up a rain-bar to the outlet of your reactor and pipe it along the entire bottom-back of the tank length. Point the outlet towards the front of the tank should improve overall circulation. Do note that the more flow into the reactor, the better the response time unless the bubbles are being blow off the bottom. 3-4bps is about the right estimate for that kind of tank size if the reactor mixing and circulation in the tank is well taken care of. Use pH and KH measurements to determine the amount of CO2 in the tank after that.

Regards
Peter Gwee

[williamng]

I am using an internal reactor connected directly to the output of my cannister filter.....Flow is about 1200l/hr....My internal reactor is the smaller one...I notice CO2 being blown out of the reactor immediately....Should I change to an external one???

[Sleepy_lancs]

Not good enough. Your tank is rather huge to use an internal reactor. Unless you wish to use 2 of them.

[williamng]

Then what should I use?? Anyone has any comments??

[Sleepy_lancs]

Follow PeterGwee idea

[Aeon]

1200l/h is a little overkill for a weak internal reactor.
The CO2 haven't disolve already come out from the bottom. that's why not efficient. Get an external reactor that can handle such high flowrates.

[PeterGwee]

You can always get the bigger models for your tank size. If you don't mind the hassle of DIY, you also can rig up one from PVC pipes and fittings and run it inline with the filter. (Its external... )

Regards
Peter Gwee

[williamng]

Guys

Thanks for the info. I try getting an external reactor. My only worry is water leakage. My friend has one external reactor. After a few months, it start to leak.....and his room is flooded.

[superman]

[quote:7763371dbe="PeterGwee"]You can always get the bigger models for your tank size. If you don't mind the hassle of DIY, you also can rig up one from PVC pipes and fittings and run it inline with the filter. (Its external... )

Regards
Peter Gwee [/quote:7763371dbe]

Any sample to see your pvc make ext. reactor.

[vinz]

[quote:a92b0da756="williamng"]Guys

Thanks for the info. I try getting an external reactor. My only worry is water leakage. My friend has one external reactor. After a few months, it start to leak.....and his room is flooded.[/quote:a92b0da756]

Which external reactor?

To play safe, put basins or trays under the filters and reactors... these will catch small leaks and give you advance warning before the whole connection fall off.

Most devices like reactors, UV sterilisers, etc do not come with the connectors that come with cannister filters. What you can do is go buy and use those cheap host tighteners from hardware shops. It's a ring of rust-resistant flexible metal with a screw on it.

[williamng]

Why can I find external reactors other than nature aquarium?

[Aeon]

I saw one type at Y618 That Aquarium. Quite big. It's transparent and have black plastic parts. From the looks of the parts, I think it's a reactor and not some protein skimmer.

[geoffrey]

Please do not have the impression that external reactors are better than internal reactors. After all, both work on the same principle. The reason external reactors are preferred is purely aesthetic. And internal reactors work just as well if the right one is chosen for the right sized tank.