Enough co2?

[partobe]

Hi Everyone!
I have a 36 gallon planted tank with whats considered med light. My tank has been up and running for about 4 months now. Last week I bought a drop checker and it says my co2 is insufficient but Im counting 1-2 bubbles per second coming into the diffuser. Im starting to get algae on some of my plants. I dose 2x a week. I run my lights and co2 for about 10 hrs a day. Right now my fish are swimming and playing as normal none are at the top gasping for air. Im thinking I should turn the co2 up?
Thanks
Patrick

 

[Aqua Pro Builder]

I think it's the diffusion that is not very effective.

 

[partobe]

Thanks Wingo I go on vac next week as soon as I get back Im going to order and convert one of those nano internal filters. The drop checker is now green

 

[jeffvmd]

Looks like there is no need to do the elite mini filter mod since your co2 levels are now at a good level. Just try to see if that is maintained in a good llevel.

 

[partobe]

Hi Jeff
so far so good. It's still in the green this am. Its the darker of the 2 greens but still green. Since I leave next thur for vac Im going to leave things the way they are. I have someone coming in to feed the fish but she would have no idea about co2. My new cylinder arrived!!

 

[jeffvmd]

At what bubble rate is this set at?

 

[partobe]

Hi Jeff I really have no idea. The thingie in the tubing doesnt have fluid in it so I have to go by the diffuser and those bubbles are prob like 3 per second.

 

[Aqua Pro Builder]

Hi Jeff
so far so good. It's still in the green this am. Its the darker of the 2 greens but still green. Since I leave next thur for vac Im going to leave things the way they are. I have someone coming in to feed the fish but she would have no idea about co2. My new cylinder arrived!!

make sure you have a measuring spoon ready and the EXACT instruction of feeding amount-people tends to over feed.

 

[partobe]

Hi Wingo
I have little paper cups that Im going to premeasure so all she will have to do is drop it in. I went to 5 guys and got some of those liitl ketchup plastic cups with lids.

 

[jeffvmd]

+1 ^^
Plus you can just have them feed your tank every couple of days or lesser.
I tend to have my tank underfed when I'm out and somebody else is doing the feeding so that if they decide to "add a little more", you have a bit of a leeway.
Better yet, You can use one of those pill boxes labeled each day of the weekk. You can put in pre measured amounts of the food.
Edit: those ketchup containers work too.:wink1:

Observe if the drop checker darkens or changes color to high co2 levels until before you leave to make sure everything is stable.
If in doubt, You may want to lessen it just to be on the safe side.

You might want to put in some water in your bubble counter for more accurate bps count.
You can turn off your co2, detach hose so a little tank water backflows to fill up the counter until about 2/3 full then re-attach the hose back and let CO2 run again.

 

[howze01]

If I'm gone for a week or less, I just let them go. Most fish could use a bit of a diet! If longer I get someone to feed avery other day at the very most. More like twice a week.

Have a good vaca!!

 

[partobe]

+1 ^^
Plus you can just have them feed your tank every couple of days or lesser.
I tend to have my tank underfed when I'm out and somebody else is doing the feeding so that if they decide to "add a little more", you have a bit of a leeway.
Better yet, You can use one of those pill boxes labeled each day of the weekk. You can put in pre measured amounts of the food.
Edit: those ketchup containers work too.:wink1:

Observe if the drop checker darkens or changes color to high co2 levels until before you leave to make sure everything is stable.
If in doubt, You may want to lessen it just to be on the safe side.

You might want to put in some water in your bubble counter for more accurate bps count.
You can turn off your co2, detach hose so a little tank water backflows to fill up the counter until about 2/3 full then re-attach the hose back and let CO2 run again.

Thanks Howez
I will try the drop checker when I get home from vac. Right now it seems stable so I want to leave well enough alone. It's been green for the lasst cpl of days. Plus I just got my new cylinder in so Ill be switching over to it soon