Question For People Using Co2

[KevJ87]

Hey guys I have been running my DIY co2 system for a few weeks now. I am using the Fluval co2 diffuser and have great efficiency at the moment but have heard some different things about how to use co2.
 
At the moment I am running my CO2 24/7 and when the lights go out the air pump comes on to balance out the co2 at night and in the morning lights come on and air pump goes off.
 
I thought this was the best way and the best way to keep PH flux to a minimal between night and day.
 
I have now been hearing all different kinds of things such as keep the airstone on 24/7 but turn co2 off at night.
Also keep the CO2 on 24/7 and airstone on 24/7.
 
I am trying to get a decent answer on what I should REALLY be doing and would love and appreciate some advice guys.

 

[Zikofski]

yes i turn my co2 on 1 hour before the lights come on, and turn it off 1 hr before the lights go off at night, my drop checker stays green all night long and no problems regarding oxygen so far as yet I've been doing this for a few years now no real dramas co2 at night is a waste and will just use up your co2, are you using a FE setup or Yeast method?

 

[Ch4rlie]

I do the same as Zikofski, I time the Co2 to come on about an hour before tank lights come on and switch off about an hour before lights off.
 
This is more efficient than letting co2 run all night from a personal point of view. As Zik, says, my drop checker also stayed at green 24/7 using this method.
 
Although I have heard of members leaving co2 on 24/7 but at a lower rate without any real issues.
 
As for air pump and airstone, I no longer use this, I did when first joined the hobby and quickly learned they do not actually do very much for the tank, only if its really agitating the water surface then ok, it does aerate the water. Otherwise, basically just for decor and some fish do like to swim in the air bubbles.
 
Personal choice I believe if thats what you like for your type of set up, either in regards to co2 or airstones.

 

[KevJ87]

Thanks for the input guys, I am using a DIY co2 system but a "little" more advanced than the normal I used all mechanical parts and bulk heads and line release valves etc etc. So I can control every aspect of it including dissipating into the room at night while still holding PSI.
 
I find it so funny in the aquarium hobby how there is so much information that contradicts itself, I have been told by members on here and directed to a big write up by some guy about how Air stones are actually 10x more important than a filter. Of course this is not my view as I don't know enough about it to even comment but I just find it amusing how many points of views and opinions there are!
 
The problem I have with turning co2 off at night is the PH flux, the PH bounces 1.0 - 1.2 over night and back down in the day I am worried about long term harm to fish with this though.
 
So you guys both run CO2 and ZERO air stones? Like at all ? Not even at night? Trying to make sure I get this information correct.

 

[Zikofski]

if your ph bumps up and down don't worry this will not effect the fish, yes that is correct, the plants during the day release oxygen into the water via photosynthesis so no need for an airstone, as long as your tank is not OVER stocked, and my tank is slightly over stocked but still no problems, then the fish won't suck up all that oxygen that the plants create, i even have 0 surface movement on my tank altho this is not recommended. a slight surface movement is recommended
 
but once your tank (plants) become established those ph bounces should be minimal i don't notice it and my drop checker stays green throughout the night, so i presume my ph is stable.
 
if you don't have one get a drop checker its the best way to tell how much co2 u are putting in.

 

[KevJ87]

I was told even the drop checker is a terrible way of actually telling and that there is a more advanced way to efficiently tell is there any truth to that? That is the only thing that held me back from purchasing a drop checker.
 
With me now thinking a drop checker is a good way to go do you know of a good one to purchase on Amazon? I have heard the solutions that come with them are no good and you need to purchase an additional solution? I find it crazy they give you a bad solution why not just package the right one!? 

 
If you could link me a decent drop checker I would appreciate it greatly.
 
One last thing, my Amazon sword is growing like CRAZY but for some reason it is growing outward ( the leaves are drooping a tad and growing horizontally rather than towards the surface any reason for that? ). 

 

[Zikofski]

that is rubbish the drop checker is the most accurate way to tell how much co2 is in your tank, green is good, yellow is to much co2 and blue is to little co2, you can get some cheap ones from ebay, who told you drop checkers are no good.
 
here is a gd link for your self may take some times posting to you but its a gd checker cheap too, personally i would buy 2 or 3 they can break >_< i broke one a year ago.
 
the solution i get from a store here in the uk but try and find a premixed solution of 4dkh and bromo blue solution that would be easier for you
 
and regarding your amazon sword, that is what a sword does, they are HUGE i had one in my 330L tank and this is what it looked like once i removed it

 
the best way for an amazon sword to grow up rather than out is to have stronger light, co2 and ferts, fertile substrate really gives swords a kick quicker it grows the more it will grow up but the more it grows up the bigger it gets
 
i have swords in my current 88L smaller versants but they two are starting to grow tall and may even grow out of the tank soon
this used to be my old sig but the sword centre right is the sword that i am holding
 

 

[KevJ87]

I read an article about the drop checker saying that A) The results of the drop checker can be up to 1-2 hours old due to the time it takes to reach equilibrium and B) depending on certain water parameters you can get false readings and that it only works very accurate with hard water conditions?
 
The article said electronic PH detector's are the only way to go and the only way to truly know.
 
[[[[[ INFO ::  this is not my theory or belief I don't know ANYTHING about them hah ]]]]]
 
I am trying to google the article again and I have not come across it but there are many posts about issues with co2 drop checkers.
 
I will take your word for it though seeing as how your tanks look incredible ! Do you ever throw away clippings that could be transferred? I Would glady pay for some shipping instead of you tossing them away 

.

 

[Zikofski]

no i dont tbh , i do have some swords and crypts to sell, but shipping to america could be a problem and costly

you are correct in the sence drop chrckers take 2 hours to change that is correct but not a problem you kust start steady and i find it easy to get green almost 2 or 3rd time of trying then it just fine tuning once its green it stays there for months without changing,
you need to change the aolution eveey few weeks to a month tho. ive never herd of false results with soft water i have supper soft water 0Gh and 0 kH from tap and i have no problems only way to get false readings is to have an imbalence with your 4dkh solution i always buy it pre made to eliminate that

i have an electronic ph drtector and honestly i cant get it to work properly yet only just boight it few weeks ago tho