CO2 rate and outgassing

[Togliat]

I have been reading and searching the forums on CO2 for my tank and I am sure I missed some good posts, but I would appreciate any feedback you can provide on my question below:

Facts:
155g FW planted aquarium with Fluval FX5 canister filter running mechanical pad, carbon pad, and porous ceramic biological cylinders.
Running pressurized CO2 from a 10lb tank. Bubble rate was about 2-3 per second, just increased it to 4-5 bubbles per second.

I am also running two airstones at the other end of the tank from the FX5 return, about 60" away (5 foot long tank).

Therefore, there is plenty of surface agitation.

I have 20 Red tail rasbora, 7 cory catfish, 4 juvenile angels, 1 German Blue Ram, 1 clown plecostomus, 3 oto algae eaters.

(Yes, I got carried away and turned my serene, pastoral setting into a busy, thriving metropolis) LOL

I have a sand substrate, and a dozen low light plants. Tank has two T5HO lights and is very tall, > 24"...can't reach the bottom!
I dose with Seachem Flourish Excel and fert, about a capful or two daily (155g tank).
The plants are doing very well, so I guess my question is more academic than pragmatic in nature.



Question:
My PH remains at 7.6 despite the CO2 diffusion. Do you believe that I am losing CO2 due to outgassing from the fluval filter and airstones?
I don't know much about outgassing, so thanks for any info.

And yes, I plan to install a drop checker next week. I assume they work independent of size although I did see some categorized as "nano drop checkers."

Again, thanks for feedback on outgassing of CO2!

Tony

 

[Togliat]

Talked to my LFS guy and we agreed that I should place my air pump on a timer for night time use.
My CO2 is on a timer for daytime use.
We shall see if this helps.

 

[Togliat]

Well, there was a drop in PH over the last day or two, from 7.6 to 7.2
I will re-test to confirm the PH but it appears as if turning off the air stones during the day has made a difference.