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Gang,

I am getting the last minute ph-KH-GH-CO2 jiggles.

Trystianity (thanks again, Tryst) was so nice to provide me with tsp measurement for my fertilization of the 125G that I am hoping to start tomorrow (in case you don’t know, it is going to be heavy planted and CO2 injected). Her values were as follows:

KNO3 1.25 tsp (2x3 times per week)
KH2PO4 0.25 tsp (2x3 times per week)
K2SO4 0.5 tsp (2x3 times per week)
Plantex CSM+B 0.25 tsp (2x3 times per week)
Seachem Equilibrium 0.5 tsp (after water change)

I would assume that my tank has a volume of maybe 110 G. Here comes my first question:

- Should I double the values when I “seed” the tank for the first time?

Next thing that happened, I never looked into the Equilibrium and of course I don’t have it. I went to the LFS tonight and they don’t have it either, so I bought a pair of German Rams (I know, there is no logic in this, but they showed clearly that they are a m/f pair and I could not resist).

Tryst and I conclude that I have a GH of around 2 degrees and a KH of “tiny” (almost non detectable and for sure less than 1). My tab ph is 7.

I intend to raise the KH to around 3.5 degrees with Baking Soda; supposedly 1 tsp at 50 liters raises it by 4 degrees. This means that the 110 G would need about 7.25 tsp to raise my KH by 3.5 degrees. Next question:

- Can I do this all at once when the tank is ready to be fired up?

And the next one:

- Will this cause problems to the GH (given that I would not be able to get Equilibrium tomorrow morning)?

My target is around 30 ppm of CO2 and that should conclude in a ph of no lower than 6.6.

- How do I calculate the ph change created by the Baking Soda and how do I know at what ph the CO2 would be 30ppm?

And the last question:

-Do you think I am going crazy ?

Hope somebody can help me out here, thanks in advance,

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Ingo. Chill pill time.

1. Don't double the fertiliser dose straight away. You can play with the dosage later when you get a feel from your plants whether they need more or less.

2. Are you planning to add the fish straight away to the tank? If no, then I suggest adding half of the baking soda, wait a couple of hours, test, and add the rest as necessary. If you are planning on adding the fish straight away, add all baking soda and wait a couple of hours before you add the fish. Test to confirm that you really need 7.25tsp.

3. No problem to GH. It will still be 2 dGH.

4. This is the complicated one, but it shouldn't be. Let's assume your KH out of the tap is 0.5 dKH. If your pH is 7, then your CO2 level is 1.5 Once you raise the KH to 3.5 your pH would climb to 7.8 - 8 as your CO2 remains the same. To get your CO2 levels to 30ppm with 3.5 dKH you need to add enough CO2 until your pH drops to 6.5. If you have never seen the CO2 table, here it is, courtesy of Chuck's Planted Aquarium Pages.

4.5 I assume that your next question will be what happens if you add the baking soda and start the CO2 at the same time. Well, it's impossible to tell, so better wait for about a couple of hours until all settles down and test. You can also test the next day just to make sure.

5. Definitely crazy.

6. Enjoy.

Hope this helps.

Last edited by Untitled No. 4 at 24-Sep-2005 06:58

So, where do the rams go?

__________
"To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research."
researched from Steven Wright

Untitled,

Thank you so much, your advice is, as always, very helpful.

1) Ok, I will only dose the “normal” water change load.
2) I am not planning on adding fish right away as this is my first CO2 attempt and I don’t want to risk their lives by my stupidity.
3) Thanks on the GH info, I will get some Equilibrium as soon as I can but I won’t panic otherwise either.
4) Thanks for the math example, sure helps.
4.5) I will follow your advice.
5)
6) Will do!

Bob - - Temporarily they are in the 29G and will end up in the 125G. I posted a picture (not too good of a quality) [link=Here]http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/forums/Cichlid%20Central/64566.html?05858762" style="COLOR: #ff6633[/link].

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Although I said there is no problem with 2 dGH, this is considered below the recommended minimum of 3 dGH. 2 dGH might work fine but keep an eye for calcium and magnesium deficiencies. List of deficiencies can be found here and there's also a list on Chuck's website.

Hey,

Who's been a busy boy then ?

Should I double the values when I “seed” the tank for the first time?

No you're fine with the dosing schedule Trys gave you.

- Can I do this all at once when the tank is ready to be fired up?

Yes. No reason not too. Especially with no fish in there. Dump it all in.

- Will this cause problems to the GH (given that I would not be able to get Equilibrium tomorrow morning)?

You need the GH for Calcium and Magnesium. I'm sure there's plenty there to keep the plants going for a day
If you can't find the Equilibrium, you can use Calcium Chloride CACL03 and Magenesium Sulphate MGS04 for the same result.
You might ease up on the Potassium though. There's a good kick of K+ in the Nitrate and Phosphate chems and the Equilibrium is mostly Potassium. I only add the Potassium Sulphate once a week.

- How do I calculate the ph change created by the Baking Soda and how do I know at what ph the CO2 would be 30ppm?

You don't. You calculate your KH change. And then based on that set a target pH that will give you the 30ppm of Co2 using the Co2 table untirled provided.

And the last question:

-Do you think I am going crazy ?

Most likely

Man, you do like your lists.

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Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.