Faulty Drop Checker?

[SLIM]

I have a head scratcher.

I have 2 drop checkers, both using same 4dkh solution, both using same Gush co2 indicator and both placed in the exact same place. Plus iv moved them around.

One always shows perfect 30ppm co2. The other always shows yellow.

Fish are not gasping and seem perfectly healthy so im guessing the green one is the correct one.

I have emptied and refilled both of them several times and always get the same results no matter where they are placed.

Any ideas to why this is happening?

 

[SLIM]

Is it even possible to have a faulty drop checker. Just cant work out whats happening here.

 

[Zikofski]

yes and no, depends on what drop checker you have i presume, one of the glass types?
 
a few things, can you conform they look identical? any impurities like bumps lumps or anything?
 
erm do you fill them up to exactly the same point so they are both level?
 
also do you have any pictures of them?
 
i notice with my plastic JBL one it leaks some times over time it will fade to blue and fill up but over the course of a day or two but its random not sure what causes it but i guess the seal is not great
 
this is random not sure what could be causing this tbh not like normal drop checkers to just show random results

 

[SLIM]

Its not random thats the thing. The results are very consistant.

Drop checkers are ever so slightly different only like a couple of mm out from each other. They are filled up the same, no lumps bumps.

 

[Zikofski]

well yes consistant but random at the same time do you mix the solutions together? then separate into the individual checkers or mix separately? also could the be something inside one of the drop checkers like a chemical maybe from cleaning by accident? 

 

[SLIM]

well yes consistant but random at the same time do you mix the solutions together? then separate into the individual checkers or mix separately? also could the be something inside one of the drop checkers like a chemical maybe from cleaning by accident? 

Their new so not had to clean yet and i mix seperately but all comes from same bottles.
Gets you thinking, maybe drop checkers ain't as accurate as we all thought. What if I was only using one drop checker? What if that one drop checker was the one giving false readings. My co2 levels would be all wrong and I would never know.
There needs to be a way to calibrate our drop checkers so we know for sure lime green is indeed 30ppm.
Iv ordered more drop checkers to see if they make a difference, a different kind to the glass iv been using. Atho they are coming from overseas so might take awhile. Il take a photo when I can of my exsisting drop checkers so you can see the colour difference yourself.

SLIM OOT

lol

 

[Zikofski]

Ye can I suggest a different liquid a pre mix from AE I use and never had a false reading like yours I think it's the solution not the checker it self but ye definitely gets you thinking

 

[DrRob]

You may also be identifying mixing issues within the tank. One drop checker nearer the source of the CO2, the other further away.

 

[SLIM]

Ye can I suggest a different liquid a pre mix from AE I use and never had a false reading like yours I think it's the solution not the checker it self but ye definitely gets you thinking

But if it was the solution surely every drop checker would give me a false result & a different result everytime. But the results are always the same. The 4dkh solution is definately 4dkh as iv tested it so thats fine and the co2 solution is Gush which is a very good and well trusted brand.
Im willing to try it tho. Can you sort me out a link?

You may also be identifying mixing issues within the tank. One drop checker nearer the source of the CO2, the other further away.

I thought of this so iv been moving them around alot but I still get the same results everytime. Strange isnt it. Plus I have very good flow and have managed to achieve 100% diffusion. No co2 micro bubbles at all.

Just cant work it out. Must be a fault with the drop checker. Like gases are getting in but cant escape?

 

[Zikofski]

here is the link to what i have the only thing to note i probably add more bromel blue to make the solution darker as its hard to see what colour it is in the tank unless i use something white to put behind it then its clear if this makes sense seems to be weak
 
http/www.aquaessentials.co.uk/neutro-bromo-blue-100ml-p-2425.html