Is the KH-PH-CO2 chart reliable and accurate?

[DannyBoy]

This is the first planted tank I've run in years, and I am trying some new strategies. For this tank, I will not inject CO2, although I have in the past.

What I am wondering is, I remember reading on here not long ago that the CO2 chart using KH and pH is not accurate. I was wondering if someone could explain this?

Also, side note, here are my tank params. Please let me know if anything stands out as trouble:

pH - 7.0
kH - 4 (degrees)
gH - 4

Lighting: T5HO retro with poor reflector
Tank depth: 20''
Substrate: MGOC topped with 1.5'' average height, 1cm or so in size
Sponge filter (breeding tank)

I've considered changing the air pump on the sponge to a powerhead to reduce CO2 loss, but according to the available CO2 charts, I am sitting 11.8 mg/L which should be fine for my low tech low light plants.

Ferts:

Seachem Iron - 4ml weekly
Seachem Comp - Not yet dosing
Seachem Excel - Not yet dosing

Thanks for the help!

 

[DannyBoy]

http://www.barrreport.com/showthread.php/8154-CO2-KH-PH-Charts

Just found this via search. So apparently, they don't tell the whole story, and it sounds like the chaces are my water actually has very little CO2 in it. I guess when I add my plants I will have to watch how they respond, then switch to the powerhead sponge if they are struggling.

Still wondering if anything there stands out to anyone^^^(above specs)

I am thinking about adding Seachem Equilibrium as the fish I am breeding prefer a slightly higher GH, but I may first see how they do in this water.

 

[DaBub]

maybe this will help

 

[DannyBoy]

Well it definitely helped me feel more stupid than I already do :watermelon:

 

[Biollante]

Everything Is Simple Once You Know How It Works...

Hi DannyBoy,

Nothing to feel stupid about, we all start somewhere, you present yourself well and DaBub made a reasonable assumption that was incorrect. You do yourself a great deal of credit and come across as a very bright, educated person.

That is how conversations go as we are getting to know one another.

I understand how frustrating these things can be, a few years ago, I lost much of my basic math skills (think of it as a stroke) and have had to struggle to get them back. You seem like a bright young man, so if an old gasbag like me can get it, I am reasonably sure you can as well.:gw


Always remember we do not need to know how something works to know that it does.

If you want me to attempt an explanation I will, it really is not all that complex, mostly just basic arithmetic with a few terms thrown in.

If you want me to help I will need to know what “MGOC” is, I am assuming you mean Miracle Grow Organic Choice.

I need to know if you are using any stabilizers or water conditioners, anything that adjusts pH.

It would be nice to know what city or town you live in, not your address just the water district, town or zip code.

The sponge filter is fine as is the air pump, since you are not injecting CO[SUB]2g[/SUB], “degassing” is not really a concern and the extra “air” is helping support a slightly higher CO[SUB]2aq[/SUB].

You are not getting over 11-mg/l (11-ppm) CO[SUB]2aq[/SUB], which is okay, plenty of plants do just fine in 3-5-mg/l (ppm) water.

Biollante