Ink,
That doesn't sound right. A mazzei will use more c02 than normal, but should compensate for efficiency. Tom used to state good c02 levels about 45 minutes after the mazzei started for his 180.
is the drop checker solution fresh and confirmed quality? What previous benchmark are you comparing these results to?
Are you getting a good mist out of the mazzei? Can you hear a hissing type sound from the mazzei at all?
I use a needle wheel now and the mazzei uses more c02 than the needle wheel at least for me.
The PH meter will help as a tool, but I would review your setup for a leak or something off. Clogged check valve?
Remember that the co2 port of the mazzei has a spring/ball assembly inside it. Is this ok?
Also, the venturi could get clogged with debris as it is small. If unfiltered water gets to the mazzei intake, this could happen. It did to me several time.
I usually smacked the mazzei several times to dislodge. Or I would remove and clean manually.
Please provide detailed pics of the flow into and out of the mazzei?
Your flow/bottleneck issues that you posted about on other threads are not going to help this.
Get your plumbing straightened out and ensure the pump has no intake deficiencies our outlet bottlenecks. An outlet bottleneck or intake lack is going to affect mazzei performance fer sure. You have been making plumbing and config changes and the mazzei/c02 levels/operation needs to be re-evaluated after EACH change. I certainly had to do this while making plumbing changes while using the mazzei. Another pro for the needle wheel in that it is NOT affected by other plumbing changes..
Finally, what does the health of the plants tell you?
Remember that within the confined and controlled environments of our tanks, no matter how healthy or scaped, are NOT natural and the support systems needed to sustain the inhabitants will suffer when any INDIVIDUAL component is not optimal.
Hope this helps.
