CO2 'lead' time

[hbosman]

I plugged my lights and solenoid into the one timer so, I no longer have the one hour lead time that I had originally. Using a powerhead with the split blade impeller modification might minimize the need for much of a lead time. Even though CO2 shuts off at 10:00 PM, the 4kdh drop checker is still in the green range at 6:30 AM. The power head still runs at night so I have enough surface ripple to minimize surface scum. I used a chemical ph test to kind of, verify what the drop checker is telling me. Since it seems I still have a green drop checker at noon when the CO2 kicks on again, I might get away with not having the one hour lead time. By the way, with the split impeller mod, the drop checker gets yellow green faster than it ever has before. I was using a boyu inline diffuser for almost a year and I used an inline diy reactor for a year prior to that.

The mist from the powerhead is very fine but noticeable, kind of looks like dust. At 4:00 PM, the pearling is so strong, it looks 7 Up already anyway so, I'll live with it. So far, I like the simplicity of using one timer, a powerhead and two 39 watt T5HO bulbs on my 46 gallon bow. I was using two timers for lights and one for the solenoid.

Now if I don't create an algae farm, that would even be better.

 

[csmith]

Would lead time be dependant on tank size also? I would assume you could fill a 10 gallon with CO2 far quicker than say a 180, so on these smaller aquariums would a lead time have any benefit?

 

[CL_]

Would lead time be dependant on tank size also? I would assume you could fill a 10 gallon with CO2 far quicker than say a 180, so on these smaller aquariums would a lead time have any benefit?

Depends on diffusion method and BPS, I would say. Higher BPS would mean shorter "lead up time". BPS is adjusted accordingly on larger tanks, so it could all be "to scale" in regards of how fast you are pumping CO2 into the tank, meaning it could take just as long to get a ten gallon up to 30PPM as it would a 180 unless you are injecting both with the same BPS and diffusion method.

 

[Oreo]

Is it harmful / stressful to the fish for CO2 to go from 0 - 30ppm really fast? Like say, 10min?

I have my CO2 feed rate set to maintain an equilibrium of CO2 added = CO2 used or out-gassed. This takes several hours to bring the CO2 from zero up to the desired level in the morning. So I've experimented with cranking up the CO2 really high & watching the pH meter for when to turn it back down. The fish don't seem happy at all during this time and just based on pH it seem like the fish have a lower CO2 tolerance all day long when I do it this way.

Thoughts?

 

[scottward]

Would lead time be dependant on tank size also? I would assume you could fill a 10 gallon with CO2 far quicker than say a 180, so on these smaller aquariums would a lead time have any benefit?

No. Shouldn't be. Irrespective of tank size, the goal is the same. Get CO2 up to the correct level within 30-45 minutes, as per Tom's earlier comments regarding an 'efficient system'. The goal is the same so tank size is irrelevant (obviously more CO2 would be needed for the larger tank, of course).

 

[scottward]

Is it harmful / stressful to the fish for CO2 to go from 0 - 30ppm really fast? Like say, 10min?

I have my CO2 feed rate set to maintain an equilibrium of CO2 added = CO2 used or out-gassed. This takes several hours to bring the CO2 from zero up to the desired level in the morning. So I've experimented with cranking up the CO2 really high & watching the pH meter for when to turn it back down. The fish don't seem happy at all during this time and just based on pH it seem like the fish have a lower CO2 tolerance all day long when I do it this way.

Thoughts?

I've wondered this myself. I really can't think of any reason why the fish would be bothered. Hypothetically, if a tank could be taken from 0ppm to 30ppm instantaneously, why would this affect the fish? There will be a sudden change in pH, that's about all as far as I can see. This sudden change in pH shouldn't be more than a typical large water change though should it? The CO2 is not displacing oxygen, still within safe levels etc, so I really can't see how there could be any issue here?