Co2 drop checker

Just setting up a Co2 system and was wondering where's the best location for the drop checker and how much does it matter if I use tank water in it as opposed to Dkh water?

Its essential you use Dkh water as a standard because everybodies tank water has different parameters.

Cheers, Dave.

Thanks Dave,

I got my C02 system of a fellow IFK so have no instructions other than what I can read on the web. I assume I can get some Dkh water from my LFS.

Any other tips for the CO2 beginner ?

Mike

Im not sure if local fish shops sell DKH....I bought mine years ago online (Aquaessentials, i think). I got instructions with it for setting it up in the drop checker. As far as i remember you add 3-4 drops of co2 regent to the DKH water in the drop checker till the water is a blue colour and bang it in the tank (i have mine on the top right side of tank). I never really change the DHK water in the drop checker as its not necessary, so your DHK water will last you for a long time.

You have the correct co2 levels when the DC turns green (lime means too much).
After turning on Co2 it takes a few hours for the drop checker to read it correctly

I have my Co2 on a timer so it comes on about 3-4 hours before lights on. This way it ensures that the co2 is at the correct level for the plants when the lights switch on. Also I have the co2 switch off 3-4 hours before lights out. You dont need co2 on when the lights are out really. This works well for me with the plants.

Hope this is of some help.

Cheers, Dave.

Thanks Dave, will have a search on the web for some, can I ask what ferts you are using and how regular do you dose ? I have read about home made ferts but its seems a little complex.

Mike

As it happens I only recently switched to EI dosing (Tropica ferts working out too expensive). If you go to FluidSensorOnline website and put in the volume of your tank, on some calculator somewhere on the site, it will tell you exactly what to dose according to your tank size. You can buy all the ferts here too (uk based).
I just add the powders to the tank dry.

This is what I dose for a 570L tank:

Day 1 - 2 tsp KNO3, 1 tsp KH2PO4, 4 tsp MGSO4
Day 2 - 1 tsp Trace
Day 3 - Same as D1
Day 4 - Same as D2
Day 5 - Same as D1
Day 6&7 - Rest.

Dave.

.....Also, i like the "up co2 atomizer" to diffuse the co2 into the water. It fits in at your external filter inlet pipe and the co2 comes out of the spray bar in a fine mist

http://aquatic-art.blogspot.com/2011/01/up-new-atomizer-system.html

see link for a pic of it!

curefan wrote:

.....Also, i like the "up co2 atomizer" to diffuse the co2 into the water. It fits in at your external filter inlet pipe and the co2 comes out of the spray bar in a fine mist

http://aquatic-art.blogspot.com/2011/01/up-new-atomizer-system.html

see link for a pic of it!

not all external filters will work correctly if you are going to let bubbles in to it.. I know FX5 won't. Not sure what is the setup in this case.

At least in my tank aquarium water seem to work good. I never used any special water. just added 2 drops of solution. 3 drops was too dark and was hard to see the exact color. I think it very much depends on the solution used.

Also depends on how heavy planted is your aquarium?

ferropol 24 seems to be simple option to use as fertilizer. just couple drops.

smitas5 wrote:

curefan wrote:

.....Also, i like the "up co2 atomizer" to diffuse the co2 into the water. It fits in at your external filter inlet pipe and the co2 comes out of the spray bar in a fine mist

http://aquatic-art.blogspot.com/2011/01/up-new-atomizer-system.html

see link for a pic of it!

not all external filters will work correctly if you are going to let bubbles in to it.. I know FX5 won't. Not sure what is the setup in this case.

At least in my tank aquarium water seem to work good. I never used any special water. just added 2 drops of solution. 3 drops was too dark and was hard to see the exact color. I think it very much depends on the solution used.

Also depends on how heavy planted is your aquarium?

ferropol 24 seems to be simple option to use as fertilizer. just couple drops.

My mistake.... its on external outlet pipe, so no bubbles going into filter

smitas5 wrote:

curefan wrote:

.....Also, i like the "up co2 atomizer" to diffuse the co2 into the water. It fits in at your external filter inlet pipe and the co2 comes out of the spray bar in a fine mist

http://aquatic-art.blogspot.com/2011/01/up-new-atomizer-system.html

see link for a pic of it!

not all external filters will work correctly if you are going to let bubbles in to it.. I know FX5 won't. Not sure what is the setup in this case.

At least in my tank aquarium water seem to work good. I never used any special water. just added 2 drops of solution. 3 drops was too dark and was hard to see the exact color. I think it very much depends on the solution used.

Also depends on how heavy planted is your aquarium?

ferropol 24 seems to be simple option to use as fertilizer. just couple drops.

Distilled water has nothing dissolved in it, so no ions are there to affect either KH or pH. Deionized water also meets that criteria. The same cant be said for tank water!!!

Thanks for all the links Dave, checked out the calculated for my tank. Much appreciate all the advise.
Hi Marius, finally got my act together and set it up at the weekend. So far so good.

Mike53 wrote:

Thanks for all the links Dave, checked out the calculated for my tank. Much appreciate all the advise.
Hi Marius, finally got my act together and set it up at the weekend. So far so good.

Good to hear hope you enjoy it..