jsoong
Aquarium Advice Addict
OK, this is my 2wpg, non- CO2 planted tank that was completely relandscaped 3 weeks ago. I am noticing an increase in algae (dark green, covering & almost smoothering plants )
I did a bunch of water tests last nigh & noticed a very high pH (8+ may be 9 -- can't read very well at such extremes!)
My tap has pH of 7.8, KH of 100. I tested GH & KH in tank & they are unchanged (if anything KH is a bit LOWER).
The sample was taken just after lights out, so I am wondering if low CO2 is to blame. This am, just after lights on (when CO2 should be replenished) the pH is back to 8.
I can only conclude that my CO2 (which was 3 - normal - at the start of the day) had bottomed out to less than 0.1 at the end of the light cycle. I always thought that with a wet/dry, the CO2 should be well equilibrated with air & stay at 3 all day. Can my plants (or algae) be that efficient in removing CO2 to bottom it out like that?
I did a bunch of water tests last nigh & noticed a very high pH (8+ may be 9 -- can't read very well at such extremes!)
My tap has pH of 7.8, KH of 100. I tested GH & KH in tank & they are unchanged (if anything KH is a bit LOWER).
The sample was taken just after lights out, so I am wondering if low CO2 is to blame. This am, just after lights on (when CO2 should be replenished) the pH is back to 8.
I can only conclude that my CO2 (which was 3 - normal - at the start of the day) had bottomed out to less than 0.1 at the end of the light cycle. I always thought that with a wet/dry, the CO2 should be well equilibrated with air & stay at 3 all day. Can my plants (or algae) be that efficient in removing CO2 to bottom it out like that?