City water is slightly alkaline with a pH 7.6 and I want to add CO2. How long should this take? How do I keep from killing any fish? Will it give me a pH6.6? Will KH keep the CO2 from bringing down the pH? What's the buffer do anyway and what is it?
Oh, I began counting bubbles ten days ago, have not added any fish and it might be another seven days before I do. What's next?Tug;32520 said:How do I keep from killing any fish?
SuperColey1;32610 said:Baking Soda is different to Bicarb!!!! Need to make sure you get Bicarb.
SuperColey1;32610 said:Baking Soda is different to Bicarb!!!! Need to make sure you get Bicarb.
AC
Good idea abcemorse. So now I just need to add some somethin, somethins. I'll get my book.abcemorse;32614 said:I think I'd add more plants or let the cycle complete entirely before adding fish...just to be sure![]()
The Co2 indicator made by Red Sea says, "not accurate with dKH below 4." So, after mixing my DIY 4 dKH solution and given the margin of error (half a smidgen is equal to .98g baking soda) I came up with the 4 dKH solution. The reagent they sell with the test is an orange color and I am showing a nice blue green from the indicator solution. But, can I be sure I am finding accurate readings? What is the reagent they are using? What happens if I make the indicator solution with 5 dKH?VaughnH;32601 said:I don't know what the amount of bicarbonate of soda needed is. "A smidgen?" But, if you have a KH test kit, that isn't too old, you can check the KH after you mix it, and verify it yourself. You don't need absolute accuracy. If it is between 3.5 and 4.5 that is fine for use in a drop checker.
Tom Barr;33660 said:What they said is correct(surprisingly, and rare it seems these days).
Regards,
Tom Barr
abcemorse;33672 said:Ouch!![]()