How do you monitor CO2 Levels?

John N. · 04-28-2008, 01:48 PM

C02 is one of the most important components in a healthy planted aquarium. There are a wide range of techniques used to keep track of how much CO2 one is injecting into an aquarium. I'm curious to know which one you think is the most reliable and how do you know it's working?

How do you monitor CO2 levels?

-John N.

**Orlando** · 04-28-2008, 02:06 PM

I use DC, controllers and just plain ol watching the plants grow. The DC does not work well for the color blind, so a controller sometimes helps.

KristinM85 · 04-28-2008, 02:27 PM

I voted for Drop Checkers, since I primarily rely on them to monitor co2 levels. I also watch the fish for signs of hanging out at the surface too. I haven't had any issues with that since I've started using drop checkers though.

dougz · 04-28-2008, 02:48 PM

I'm getting a Pinpoint pH controller, and I have a glass-blown drop-checker.

**Orlando** · 04-28-2008, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dougz

I'm getting a Pinpoint pH controller, and I have a glass-blown drop-checker.

What! cool! Do you have a fancy looking DC? Ive been searching around for something like this..Any pics?

Roy Deki · 04-28-2008, 02:59 PM

I just read my fish...and look at my plants. I'm not big on testing for anything.

Pat7676 · 04-28-2008, 03:01 PM

CO2 Drop Checker

Fikus · 04-28-2008, 04:59 PM

Just read my fishes but must emphasize that some fish species do not tolerate certain levels of dissolved CO2 same way as some other. Therefore, it can be very risky and accordingly dangerous.

For example, a while ago, some levels of CO2 have been lethal for my school of Prionobrama filigera while my Rummy noses and neon tetras were just fine under the same conditions.

Wish I had some digital control unit...

Filip Todorovic - Fikus

Mellonman · 04-28-2008, 06:15 PM

I'd say I first set CO2 level with PH/KH table... then I see how plants react to slight changes in CO2 output...

Never saw fish suffering from CO2 excess...

Joe Faria · 04-28-2008, 07:03 PM

Personally, I look to the plants... then to shrimps.
They are the first ones, showing CO2 intoxication.

Regards,

Joe Faria.

JDowns · 04-29-2008, 04:08 AM

I use a drop checker just for visual confirmation that everything is working normally. Other than that I don't really see a need for any other type of monitoring. I replace my tanks well before dump-offs. The drop checker is borderline yellow at the end of each day and a nice lime green every morning, so I should have an excess of CO2 given that its a gradual buildup over the course of the day. I also clean and replace the fluid at each water change. That and to be apart of the club I have to have one piece of ADA equipement. :P

waterfaller1 · 04-30-2008, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Faria

Personally, I look to the plants... then to shrimps.
They are the first ones, showing CO2 intoxication.

Regards,

Joe Faria.

What do you see if they start showing signs?

Joe Faria · 04-30-2008, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waterfaller1

What do you see if they start showing signs?

Shrimps slow down their movements, like if they were numb... sorry still trying find the right word in english

.

Regards,

Joe Faria

waterfaller1 · 04-30-2008, 08:15 PM

And what do the plants do? You are doing fine with english.

John7429 · 04-30-2008, 11:22 PM

Drop checkers are a good investment.

waterfaller1 · 05-01-2008, 05:04 AM

The drop checker goes on the outside or inside of the tank?

**Orlando** · 05-01-2008, 05:01 PM

Inside..Let me get you a picture..Please hold.

**Orlando** · 05-01-2008, 05:05 PM

Here you go. This is what it looks like after some new 4dkh and PH reagent.

waterfaller1 · 05-01-2008, 06:05 PM

That's a nice looking one too, thanks Orlando!

epicfish · 05-01-2008, 08:26 PM

I've recently started to use a pH controller (AquaController setup), but before that, it was a drop checker. Worked pretty well, but after initially dialing in the CO2 bubble rate, the tank was pretty stable.

View Poll Results: How do you monitor CO2 Levels?
pH/KH CO2 Relationship Chart	11	13.58%
Read the fish: Gasping Fish means too much CO2	8	9.88%
CO2 Drop Checker	40	49.38%
Examine plant health and signs for algae	8	9.88%
pH Controllers/Monitors	11	13.58%
Other: Please specify	3	3.70%
Voters: 81. You may not vote on this poll

04-28-2008, 01:48 PM	#1 (permalink)
John N. Administrator Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: California Posts: 1,242	How do you monitor CO2 Levels? C02 is one of the most important components in a healthy planted aquarium. There are a wide range of techniques used to keep track of how much CO2 one is injecting into an aquarium. I'm curious to know which one you think is the most reliable and how do you know it's working? How do you monitor CO2 levels? -John N. __________________ Welcome to AquaScaping World!

04-28-2008, 02:06 PM	#2 (permalink)
Orlando Supporting Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 353	I use DC, controllers and just plain ol watching the plants grow. The DC does not work well for the color blind, so a controller sometimes helps. __________________

04-28-2008, 02:27 PM	#3 (permalink)
KristinM85 Aspiring Aquascaper Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Alabama Posts: 54	I voted for Drop Checkers, since I primarily rely on them to monitor co2 levels. I also watch the fish for signs of hanging out at the surface too. I haven't had any issues with that since I've started using drop checkers though. __________________ *Kristin* 4 planted tanks: 55g, 40g, 20g, 5.5g Checkout my tanks blog for pics/updates: http://justonemore20.blogspot.com/

04-28-2008, 02:59 PM	#6 (permalink)
Roy Deki Moderator Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Chandler AZ Posts: 481	I just read my fish...and look at my plants. I'm not big on testing for anything. __________________ www.aape.naturalaquariums.com

04-28-2008, 02:48 PM	#4 (permalink)
dougz Senior Aquascaper Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: mackenzie, BC Posts: 281	I'm getting a Pinpoint pH controller, and I have a glass-blown drop-checker.

04-28-2008, 03:01 PM	#7 (permalink)
Pat7676 Senior Aquascaper Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Jackson, Mississippi Posts: 753	CO2 Drop Checker

04-28-2008, 04:59 PM	#8 (permalink)
Fikus Aspiring Aquascaper Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Belgrade, Serbia Posts: 86	Just read my fishes but must emphasize that some fish species do not tolerate certain levels of dissolved CO2 same way as some other. Therefore, it can be very risky and accordingly dangerous. For example, a while ago, some levels of CO2 have been lethal for my school of Prionobrama filigera while my Rummy noses and neon tetras were just fine under the same conditions. Wish I had some digital control unit... Filip Todorovic - Fikus __________________ www.akvaristika.org.yu Last edited by Fikus; 04-28-2008 at 06:15 PM.

04-28-2008, 06:15 PM	#9 (permalink)
Mellonman Aspiring Aquascaper Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: France Posts: 74	I'd say I first set CO2 level with PH/KH table... then I see how plants react to slight changes in CO2 output... Never saw fish suffering from CO2 excess...

04-28-2008, 07:03 PM	#10 (permalink)
Joe Faria Aspiring Aquascaper Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Portugal Posts: 67	Personally, I look to the plants... then to shrimps. They are the first ones, showing CO2 intoxication. Regards, Joe Faria.

04-29-2008, 04:08 AM	#11 (permalink)
JDowns Senior Aquascaper Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 148	I use a drop checker just for visual confirmation that everything is working normally. Other than that I don't really see a need for any other type of monitoring. I replace my tanks well before dump-offs. The drop checker is borderline yellow at the end of each day and a nice lime green every morning, so I should have an excess of CO2 given that its a gradual buildup over the course of the day. I also clean and replace the fluid at each water change. That and to be apart of the club I have to have one piece of ADA equipement. :P __________________ I mix my shrimp species and there ain't a damn thing you can do about it!

04-30-2008, 08:15 PM	#14 (permalink)
waterfaller1 Senior Aquascaper Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Orlando,FL Posts: 304	And what do the plants do? You are doing fine with english. __________________ =) smile~ Carole

04-30-2008, 11:22 PM	#15 (permalink)
John7429 Junior Aquascaper Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Anaheim, CA Posts: 21	Drop checkers are a good investment.

05-01-2008, 05:04 AM	#16 (permalink)
waterfaller1 Senior Aquascaper Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Orlando,FL Posts: 304	The drop checker goes on the outside or inside of the tank? __________________ =) smile~ Carole

05-01-2008, 05:01 PM	#17 (permalink)
Orlando Supporting Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 353	Inside..Let me get you a picture..Please hold. __________________

05-01-2008, 06:05 PM	#19 (permalink)
waterfaller1 Senior Aquascaper Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Orlando,FL Posts: 304	That's a nice looking one too, thanks Orlando! __________________ =) smile~ Carole

05-01-2008, 08:26 PM	#20 (permalink)
epicfish Aspiring Aquascaper Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 51	I've recently started to use a pH controller (AquaController setup), but before that, it was a drop checker. Worked pretty well, but after initially dialing in the CO2 bubble rate, the tank was pretty stable.

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