Co2 indicator solution leaks into my tank

**Brucegan2** · 7th Jan 2016, 19:19

dear all.
what happen when 10 drops or more co2 indicator solution leaks into the tank w plants n fishes n shrimps?
can advise ?

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**WingCher** · 8th Jan 2016, 11:20

Bromthymol Blue is not really that toxic.

**Brucegan2** · 9th Jan 2016, 00:56

thanks for the info bro

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**Ryan Peh** · 17th Jan 2016, 15:12

Did your fishes die?

**Brucegan2** · 23rd Jan 2016, 19:38

no..my fishes are ok...hehehe

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**Ryan Peh** · 23rd Jan 2016, 19:52

HAHA that's good. Btw is the co2 indicator still accurate if I'm using ADA Amazonia?
Cuz the soil affects the ph level also right?

**Brucegan2** · 24th Jan 2016, 17:12

i did not use that already.im using Gush Jet Indicator

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**Urban Aquaria** · 24th Jan 2016, 18:48

Originally Posted by Ryan Peh

HAHA that's good. Btw is the co2 indicator still accurate if I'm using ADA Amazonia?
Cuz the soil affects the ph level also right?

Your Co2 indicator reagent should be mixed with 4dKH reference solution (the solution has pH 7.0 with KH 4) for correct results... not mixed with aquarium water which has been buffered by the aquasoil, as that will generate incorrect readings.

The alternative is to use pre-mixed Co2 indicator solution, no need to mix and can use immediately.

**Ryan Peh** · 24th Jan 2016, 19:58

Errrr I haven't gotten the co2 indicator yet... I think I shall ask the LFS people when I buy haha

**Urban Aquaria** · 24th Jan 2016, 20:02

Originally Posted by Ryan Peh

Errrr I haven't gotten the co2 indicator yet... I think I shall ask the LFS people when I buy haha

I see... okay in that case, ask for the pre-mixed Co2 indicator solution, its much easier to use.

**Ryan Peh** · 24th Jan 2016, 20:31

Alright thank you once again!

**happydanio123** · 25th Jan 2016, 12:13

Actually Brucegan2, you can use Kh and Ph to find out your CO2 level in the aquarium. I find this method more useful and accurate than the CO2 dropper method but after all, I'm not an expert at CO2 ferrtilization.

**Urban Aquaria** · 25th Jan 2016, 13:18

Originally Posted by happydanio123

Actually Brucegan2, you can use Kh and Ph to find out your CO2 level in the aquarium. I find this method more useful and accurate than the CO2 dropper method but after all, I'm not an expert at CO2 ferrtilization.

Well, that can only work in tanks that have no other things like active soil or buffers that separately affect the pH and KH.

If a tank is using active soil substrate that already buffers the water to say pH to 6.0 and KH to 1, based on pH/KH relationship charts like this...

Chart from Google Images.

... it will show that the Co2 is at 30ppm, even when there is no Co2 being injected at all. So the figures will all be off.

In such cases, a drop checker that uses an indicator solutions with a known standardized pH and KH (that is not affected by the buffered tank water) would serve as a benchmark to generate the correct measurements.