I found this while searching for a drop checker....
This has aroused a lot of interest for me. The idea that the indicator/water solution would not be tank water was very intriguing since that would seem to get around the acidity/alkalinity variations in tank water that are not associated with CO2. So, I emailed Jeff Senske at ADG. I asked:
Quote:
I am very interested in this method for measuring how much CO2 is in
my aquarium. So, I have a few questions:
1. On APC this was discussed and it was said that this uses pure
water, with no KH, plus the reagent in the bulb, leading me to
believe that the CO2 indication is independent of the contaminants of
various kinds in the aquarium water. This would eliminate the effect
of alkaline substances or acid substances in the water. Is this true?
2. Does the color chart with the unit tell you the pH or the ppm of
CO2? The information on the website leads me to believe that all it
does is indicate "acceptable" if the solution color is greenish. If
so, what ppm of CO2 does that indicate and with what accuracy?
3. How often do you have to replace the indicator solution?
4. When will they be back in stock?
Thanks in advance for any information you can provide on this very
intriguing new device.
As I expected, I got a quick, informative answer back this morning:
Quote:
1. Actually you fill it with aquarium water.
2. It tells you pH. There's no ppm indicated and the "accuracy" is more in
terms of telling you that you should add more or use less CO2. It's based on
a simple idea of acidity vs. alkalinity and the need for slightly more or
slightly less CO2.
3. I will have to check to see how often the reagent is replaced. I have
never personally used it for more than an initial test to confirm the CO2
supply in a newly set-up tank. It is not something I use routinely.
4. ADA is currently out of stock on the Drop Checker. I tried to order a few
last week. I do not know for sure when they will have more. Likely in the
month or so.
You're welcome. It's not really a new device, though. These types of
checkers and this one from ADA in particular have been around for many
years.
So, for me it is back to the drawing board. This is just a very elegant form of the in-tank pH testers that are available from other manufacturers at much less cost, but also much less esthetic appeal. But, no more dependable.
Q: Is this true?
This has aroused a lot of interest for me. The idea that the indicator/water solution would not be tank water was very intriguing since that would seem to get around the acidity/alkalinity variations in tank water that are not associated with CO2. So, I emailed Jeff Senske at ADG. I asked:
Quote:
I am very interested in this method for measuring how much CO2 is in
my aquarium. So, I have a few questions:
1. On APC this was discussed and it was said that this uses pure
water, with no KH, plus the reagent in the bulb, leading me to
believe that the CO2 indication is independent of the contaminants of
various kinds in the aquarium water. This would eliminate the effect
of alkaline substances or acid substances in the water. Is this true?
2. Does the color chart with the unit tell you the pH or the ppm of
CO2? The information on the website leads me to believe that all it
does is indicate "acceptable" if the solution color is greenish. If
so, what ppm of CO2 does that indicate and with what accuracy?
3. How often do you have to replace the indicator solution?
4. When will they be back in stock?
Thanks in advance for any information you can provide on this very
intriguing new device.
As I expected, I got a quick, informative answer back this morning:
Quote:
1. Actually you fill it with aquarium water.
2. It tells you pH. There's no ppm indicated and the "accuracy" is more in
terms of telling you that you should add more or use less CO2. It's based on
a simple idea of acidity vs. alkalinity and the need for slightly more or
slightly less CO2.
3. I will have to check to see how often the reagent is replaced. I have
never personally used it for more than an initial test to confirm the CO2
supply in a newly set-up tank. It is not something I use routinely.
4. ADA is currently out of stock on the Drop Checker. I tried to order a few
last week. I do not know for sure when they will have more. Likely in the
month or so.
You're welcome. It's not really a new device, though. These types of
checkers and this one from ADA in particular have been around for many
years.
So, for me it is back to the drawing board. This is just a very elegant form of the in-tank pH testers that are available from other manufacturers at much less cost, but also much less esthetic appeal. But, no more dependable.
Q: Is this true?