We have had a brief interesting discussion on APC about the effect of water circulation on CO2 distribution in an aquarium, and whether plant mass has a strong effect on it. We can all conjecture about it, but until we have a meaningful visualization of such a system it seems it will just be conjecture. So, I propose that one of us with some time, a spare tank, some spare plants, and the ability to set up a CO2 system and water circulation system for that tank do a test. This would consist of first testing a tank with only water in it. Assuming a canister filter and spray bar is used, inject a dye into the water line to the spray bar and video record the appearance of the water to see how mixing occurs. Of primary interest is how long it takes to get reasonably uniform color throughout the tank.
Then add a lot of plants - even plastic ones would work. Repeat the test.
Then, to get gaudy, repeat with real plants and CO2 injection with an external reactor and use pH reagent as the dye, watching to see how the pH varies with time all over the tank.
Too bad I left High School in 1954 - I could use this for a Science Fair project.
Then add a lot of plants - even plastic ones would work. Repeat the test.
Then, to get gaudy, repeat with real plants and CO2 injection with an external reactor and use pH reagent as the dye, watching to see how the pH varies with time all over the tank.
Too bad I left High School in 1954 - I could use this for a Science Fair project.