I think I need to boost my KH a bit for CO2

[gfink]

I read about using baking soda. Is there a formula for how much around here? Isn't baking soda NaHCO3 Won't the sodium hurt the fish?


DIY CO2
Tank has KH of 2-3
PH around 7 at end of photperiod yesterday....going to measure in right before lights come on to see how big the swing is(if there is any). Right now I am using the hagen system which is too small for my 29 gal, but I suppliment with excel. May move to larger DIY system soon, or two hagen tied together. (they look so nice and neat)

Tap water has PH of 6.8
KH of 1
PO4 of 4 ppm (which makes the CO2 calc useless for me)

 

[rich311k]

I would buffer it a little. My kh is 3 and I bump it up to 5 just to be on the safe side. I add the baking soda and have seen no ill effexts on my plants. Here is a calculator.

 

[7Enigma]

I'd be very interested as well to see the pH in the morning (right before the lights come on). I have tap water between 1-3 degrees KH and my pH would bounce from 7.2 to 6.2-6.4 before using baking soda. While not harmful for the fish most likely (its a VERY debatable topic), I was worried about the effectiveness of the nitrifying bacteria (they begin to slow/stop metabolizing at that low level pH).

I now keep my KH between 5-6 degrees normally (fluctuates a bit with my water changes and poor measurements), and the pH does not drop below 6.4.

I'd recommend bumping the value up a bit. FYI I think I use 1/2 teaspoon for 5 gallon PWC, but use the calc for more accurate numbers.

And YEESH! that PO4 number in your tap is just asking for problems with algae. I just overdosed phosphate in my tank about 3 weeks ago and it caused all sorts of problems (brush/BBA). You may need to implement a PO4 reducing step prior to addition to the tank (pads or something that specifically remove phosphate). I'd be more worried about this than the pH!

 

[Zezmo]

Remember, a 50 gallon tank does not have 50 gallons of water in it. Using a calculator based on your full tank size may cause you to overdose. Raising Kh with Baking soda, you are better off mixing water in a known container, say a 5 gallon jug, then adding the mixed water to your tank. This also lets you test the water before it is added. A nice safety in case of miscalculations.

 

[7Enigma]

Remember, a 50 gallon tank does not have 50 gallons of water in it. Using a calculator based on your full tank size may cause you to overdose. Raising Kh with Baking soda, you are better off mixing water in a known container, say a 5 gallon jug, then adding the mixed water to your tank. This also lets you test the water before it is added. A nice safety in case of miscalculations.

For my 20 gallon I have no need for a python and thus use a 5 gallon bucket. I pull out 5 gallons of tank water, and replace in with 5 gallons of tap water. I add all ferts and dechlor to this bucket and mix prior to addition to my tank.

Even for starters this should never be a problem since you should NEVER raise your KH drastically in a short period of time.

 

[gfink]

And YEESH! that PO4 number in your tap is just asking for problems with algae. I just overdosed phosphate in my tank about 3 weeks ago and it caused all sorts of problems (brush/BBA). You may need to implement a PO4 reducing step prior to addition to the tank (pads or something that specifically remove phosphate). I'd be more worried about this than the pH!

Yeah...I had a bad case of pea soup for a while. I used po4 absorbing media, but now I just keep my nitrates at least 10:1 and no problems since.

Even for starters this should never be a problem since you should NEVER raise your KH drastically in a short period of time.

Yes, I added only 1/8 tsp to start. I estimate my 29 has somewhere around 20-25 gals in it. I'll add some more every 12 hours or so and test in between.

 

[7Enigma]

Sounds like your all setup then. Let us know how it goes over the next couple of weeks.

 

[fastfly48]

What a handy thread.
Hahaha, I feel silly starting mine now with all the info here
Love'n the pre mix in the bucket idea. Great idea.
Hope it all goes well.
Ry.

 

[7Enigma]

fastfly48,

It's the best way to do it IMO if you have a small tank. Python's while great tools for large water changes (in big tanks) are not really worth the trouble for my 20 gallon. I also prefer to have everything mixed outside of the tank (especially the dechlor) so that the fish don't get shocked with a concentrated amount of some nutrient/chemical.