co2 production rate

[mumrah]

What is a typical production rate (bubble/sec) for a diy co2 system?

I'm counting ~1.7 bubbles/sec for a 1L i just threw together (not a great mix).

 

[malkore]

no typical rate. it depends entirely on how big a container you used, how much sugar, and the temperature of the solution.
But 1bps is pretty good for DIY, but if its real new (24-36 hours old) expect it to slow down after a couple days. Its always a little more active at the start, then levels off, then slows way down near the end. Its a good idea when you see it start to slow down (3 weeks) to get another 1L started, so you can change it out before it stops completely...keeping CO2 a little more consistent.

 

[mumrah]

thanks. but this system is in a test enviroment. no fish in there.

i'm simply messing around with different variable to get good co2 delivery for little money.

 

[malkore]

consistent CO2 levels are for the plants, not the fish.

 

[Zezmo]

I run 4, 2-liter bottles, changing 2 of them every 2 weeks... I get about 1-3 bps on my gas separator/bubble counter. Like Malkore said, it depends on how long the bottles have been running.

 

[mumrah]

consistent CO2 levels are for the plants, not the fish.

yes, but i'm not just injecting co2 for my plants. i'm also hoping to lower the ph for my rams

 

[greenmaji]

If your trying to induce spawning lowering the carbonate hardness is really the only way to go for your rams..

 

[malkore]

greenmaji's right. it's the carbonate hardness, or Kh, that the fish sense, and induces spawning. because pH and Kh are related, a lower pH usually means a lower Kh. CO2 artificially lowers pH from what it should be, at a given Kh. (this is why the pH/Kh chart for determing CO2 levels works)

 

[mumrah]

Well, yes i want it somewhat to induce spawning, however my kh is fine.

my tap water params are:
ph: 7.6
kh: 9dkh
gh: 11dgh

after 24 hours in bare tank

ph: 7.8
kh: 7dkh
didnt test gh

after running co2 in bare tank for <24hours

ph: 7.0
kh: 7dkh

ram tank params

ph: 7.6
kh: 7dkh
gh: 9dgh

Whereas kh will trigger spawning and whatnot, i know a lower ph will create a better enviroment for the eggs/fry. So my goal is not entirely motivated by my rams. I also want to promote plant growth for the general wellbeing of that tank.