Automatic PH controller

[tgf]

Hi all,

The basic details of my aquarium are it's 720litres or so, and the bulk of the inhabitants are discus. I believe the PH needs to be between 6.5 and just over 7. I am trying to research what gear I'd need to have set up so it'd automatically monitor the PH level in the water and if it's too high then it'd lower the PH.

Other than that, I am not sure where to start and what gear I need and how much it could cost.

If anyone can please offer some advice/information for a beginner with controlling PH, it'd be much appreciated.

Thankyou.

Cheers,
Sam

[ILLUSN]

if your not breeding discus a stable Ph is more important then any set value so i'd focus more on monitoring your ph than adjusting it.

720L is a good sized tank so keeping conditions stable shouldnt be an issue. if it were a planted tank you could use a ph controler with CO2 to keep your ph stable but as a general rule discus dont do as well in a planted tank as they do in a species specific non planted.

[tgf]

ILLUSN, there are a quite a few plants that I have put into the tank recently about a week or two ago. Other inhabitants for information's sake are 5 clown loaches, 2 small tetra' and that's it.

[ILLUSN]

no worries, theres a big diffrence between a tank with plants and a planted tank, like i said if you want to go a full planted tank a ph controler will keep the ph stable by injecting CO2. but to get the most benifit out of this you need a full planted tank.

the bottom photo is mine the ph controller keeps the pH at 6.58

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc65/SlipperyLittleSuckers/2011_04050092.jpg

http://i981.photobucket.com/albums/ae293/jag5059/FirstPlantedTank-Pic-12-12-2008.jpg

http://www.discusforums.com/forum/files/photo_2_530.jpg

[tgf]

I absolutely LOVE those photos. My favourite is the one with the discus as they're one of my favourite fish.

Anyway, would it be possible for you to take a photo of the PH controller and any associate equipment and post it on this thread? Considering I'm a total newbie at this it's good to see pictures.

Thankyou :)

[ILLUSN]

just relised your in adelaide, your water is liquid concrete get an ro unit before you think of anything else a 50-50 mix of ro and tap water will give you a better starting point.

if your are a newbie i strongly advise you to stop and think if you want to keep a planted discus tank. If you mess up any part of your system YOU WILL WIPE OUT ALL YOUR STOCK. I stronly advise not lowering your pH by more then 2 degrees with CO2 (as it will suffocate your fish if the levels get too high).

substrate: buy a real one: eco complete, dupla ground florabase flourite are all good aquasoil is also good but can cloud your tank.

lighting: 4x54wt5 staggered over your tank as a minimum, 300w pc or 3x150w MH will also do.

CO2 diffuser, get one that hooks up to your filter or pump i use
http://www.guppysaquariumproducts.com.au/plant-care-c02-units-fertiliser-hardware/ista-c02-equipment/max-mix-co-reactor-1000l/h/prod_333.html

reg: any will do just get one with a good solenoid
one of these would do
http://www.guppysaquariumproducts.com.au/plant-care-c02-units-fertiliser-hardware/ista-c02-equipment/co2-controller/prod_1468.html
Ph controler: i use this one it works fine and has for close to 5 years
http://www.guppysaquariumproducts.com.au/monitors-dosing-pumps-controllers-electronic-test-equipment/electronic-test-equipment/aquarium-ph-2010-controller-0-14ph/prod_138.html
CO2: the easiest way is to use a bottle from these guys
http://www.mykegonlegs.com.au/gas_products.php

[AquaticMaster]

Hi illusion just curious with that iwagumi tank of yours, did you set that up your self? It looks very nice and absolutely stunning and was it also inspired by SLS iwagumi -) very nice

[ILLUSN]

LOL top tank is SLS middle tank is another member
the bottom photo is mine the ph controller keeps the pH at 6.58


just showing some GREAT examples of a planted tank and 1 p**s poor attempt from some one with NO time to maintain a planted tank that he dumped on his Dad