CO2 measure research using a dye+ HCO3

Tom Barr

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Jan 23, 2005
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A Fiber-Optic Carbon Dioxide Sensor for Fermentation Monitoring - Nature Biotechnology

SpringerLink - Journal Article

Maybe some feel they know it all when it comes to CO2.
I don't, so I look for better methods, ways, methods.
My questions depend on accuracy and knowing what the actual measures really are.

pH and KH have many many issues and measuring CO2 is tough.


I can accurately measure and monitor light, and every nutrient.
CO2 is really the only thing left and given it's far more transient and ephemeral, I want really precise data, it's more of the equation and the largest single factor of variation in any test, experiement any of us do.

Using data logging, I can see trends without much work.
I can measure them daily and weekly while running a test and make sure there's no limiting confounding factor at any point.

This is the type of research hobbyist rarely, simply do not want to or simply cannot do.

So I have to do it myself.
So I start by searching what's been done and how they did it in the past and move forward.

New and better methods come along.
So those are used.

A good O2 and CO2 meter will run 2000$ or so each.
Light meters are not bad: 300$ or so.
A good colorimeter: maybe you can nab a Hach 850-870 or the 890 for 500$ or so on ebay.

Soil samples can be sent away to a lab for measurements.
Dry weight tissue analysis can be as well.

Regards,
Tom Barr