co2 testing

[moldyform]

Hi

I current am using a liquid test kit for co2 testing.
I have found these other methods sold by various fish shops.
Has anyone had any experience with them?
Dupla co2 permanent test &
Red sea co2 indicator &
A co2 drop test kit (from international ebay)

Regards,

[rwel4809]

permanent C02 tests are useless at a low GH. I can't remember the exact details but I abandoned mine long ago... I think ILLUSN had the same experience...

R

[moldyform]

How do i get any idea what my co2 is then??

[ILLUSN]

it doesnt matter what your co2 is as long as your plants do well, and your fish are fine the co2 is perfect, if the plants dont do so well and the fish are fine up it a little, if the fish are near the surface gasping, back it off a bit.

Dont try to over analyse and over controle things, just make small changes a little at a time over a few weeks and you'll get a "Balance" thats perfect for your tank.

[moldyform]

Yeah is suppose your right.
Cheers

[wobbles]

The ratio between your KH and PH is the only real way to get it right. Try this link. http://www.csd.net/~cgadd/aqua/art_plant_co2chart.htm

The article is the bible of CO2 in the aquarium. Whilst i agree that the look of the plants is a good guide, they will always look better with the right balance....

[moldyform]

I was told that that is an inaccurate way of measuring due to other influences.

[fishgeek]

the chart is accurate if only carbonate and co2 are the only influences on pH , so you must use , water of a known carbonate hardness... ie prepared by r/o water and only carbonate added, and you need to prevent other acids entering this water , so isolation via an air bubble is used

the drop checker ..

andrew

[peppermintman]

I had a look at that site and Thanks.