CO2 setup with PH controller

I purchased American Pinpoint PH Controller couple of weeks backs and finally set it up last night.


My KH is around 2.5 - 3 and I think I can maintain it there.


I have set the PH Controller as follows


Low 6.4


High 6.6


giving center value of 6.5


So that would maintain 22.6 to 33.2 ppm of CO2.


Is that the right numbers to aim for?


I put the PH probe in one of the compartments in the overflow sump of my all in one tank at back right next to the compartments with all my filter, so should give me a clean data without rouge stray current.


The PH controller is set on a timer to start 1 hour before Photoperiod.


Observation:


The solenoid kicked 1 hour before photo period, and by the time lights went on I was already at 6.4 ppm


it slowly ticked down to 6.6 when the solenoid kicked back in.


I did not change my CO2 bps and before today I used to have it on all the time at that level, which would mean I was injecting a lot more CO2, the reason some of my fish were also hiding all the time.


Anyways, can someone confirm my setup is correct


I.E


PH Controller connected to Timer.


Solenoid connected to PH Controller


6.4 thru 6.6 low and high targets for PH at 3 dKH.

 

Thanks for the replies.


I will aim for a drop of 1 PH.


I had checked the PH before controller kicked in using test kit and verified it against the controller when it started and both were reading around 7.3-7.4 So I am close to 0.8 - 0.9 PH drop.


I have put the tank water out to degas and will verify it to cross check again. I can't use tap water for reference since I usually do RO or mix it 50/50.


I did calibrate the probe before I put it on use.


I have ordered new buffer solution sets since I forgot to put it away and my wife threw it. I will re-calibrate the probe frequently.


I also ordered the KCL solution for storage when not in use.


The drop checker turned little lighter than lime green very close or equal to indicator solution. Usually by noon my drop checker is yellow.


As far as drop checkers go, I don't know if its a good or not. Generally if its equal to indicator solution its supposed to be good CO2 ppm so it might be ok but mostly I have always seen people trying to reach yellow.

 

Tested the water sitting out and was reading ~7.2 so it means I am in the 0.6 - 0.8 range

Going to do that myself someday, once I get more comfortable with the PH probe and the feeling part.

 

The PH controller is on timer because there is no advantage of injecting CO2 at night, or so I have been told.


I could leave it on 24/7, if that's the general consensus.


As I said in the earlier post, the tank water left out seems to read ~7.2. I have Eco-Complete substrate with very little wood. So there is nothing to keep the PH low. It's a Innovative Marine AIO so the water gets degassed overnight due to the sump in the back.

 

Yes, the AIO's are great that way, however you lose a good 2.8" of realestate for scaping. It used to be a reef setup and didn't matter then and was a godsend for a apartment dweller, but since I went planted I am kind of hating it, but does a good job at the filtration.


I might go rimless. Saw a Aquatop 21 tall (http://aquatop.com/high-clarity-glass-aquarium-hca-24.html) today at my LFS. Have to figure out filter options in my cramped apartment before I jump in and buy it. Hate to go HOB but might be my only option if I go this route.