CO2 ppm measurement with ADA Aquasoil

[valice]

Okay, I think this question have been asked before and it involved using a reference liquid of known kH and leaving the liquid out in the open together with the tank water.

Reference thread: http://www.aquaticquotient.com/forum...&highlight=bba

But from what I read, those tank water samples has a kH value. But my tank water with ADA Aquasoil has a kH of either 1 or 0. So should I use 1 or 0 in finding the adjustment value to use?

Going to use a pH controller to ensure that I have 30ppm right from the moment my tank lights are on. So the correct pH value is very important.

Hopefully someone can advice.

[PeterGwee]

It has been found that the pH drop method has substantial errors depending on how much you estimate the ambient CO2 level. You are better off using a CO2 drop checker with a known KH standard solution but it's response time is slow. pH controller is never a good idea nor does it help....CO2 24/7 is stressful to fish and critters.

Regards,
Peter Gwee

[valice]

Interesting. Meaning that the methodology of CO2 measurement has deviated from whatever it was mentioned in the thread I posted.

So Peter, could you elaborate on how the CO2 drop checker with known KH will help? And will it work with the ADA drop checker if I measure the KH of the solvent provided?

[Shadow]

if I'm not mistaken ADA is selling CO2 tester/checker. It should work with ADA soil right? I mean, it would be strange if their product does not work on their other product.

[PeterGwee]

Interesting. Meaning that the methodology of CO2 measurement has deviated from whatever it was mentioned in the thread I posted.

So Peter, could you elaborate on how the CO2 drop checker with known KH will help? And will it work with the ADA drop checker if I measure the KH of the solvent provided?

Valice, since we are using the pH/KH chart, having a known KH standard solution obtained from various sellers or if you are up to it and willing to make some (Hach sells the known standard but you'll need to dilute it to a lower concentration with volumetric flask and pipettes)means all you have to do is to ID the colour that your target pH is in. ADA has an article in their old english aquajournal and mention a period of 6hrs between every adjustment till you hit the right pH (colour). For me, I just use some distilled water and mix some baking soda plus a KH test kit to figure the KH and then add it to the drop checker.(yah, it's not accurate but I'm cheap and not willing to buy over the net some liquid which ships quite expensively due to weight if I buy alot.)
Note: My target KH is 4 with the KH test kit measurement but I do eyeball things as well. I'll say the dropchecker method gets things pretty close and all that is needed is perharps minor tweaking to get things perfect.

Regards,
Peter Gwee