How does drop checker work

Joined 27 Oct Messages 2, Location Cumbria. The idea is to make sure your plants have enough co2 so not having too much light or duration until you know you have enough co2 to meet the plants needs then gradually raise the lighting time. I would also start your co2 before running out of liquid carbon. It gives you a little more room for errors until you get the co2 right. Reduce the liquid gradually over a few weeks until you hit a sweet spot with your gas.

Ok so it seems that a drop checker is worthwhile. How often do I have to change the 4kh water in the drop checker? Do I have to change the 4 kh water in the drop checker every Sunday? Vinkenoog Member. I don't use one, prefer to check on the health of the plants and the fish to see what's what. Only adds more clutter to a tank. Click to expand Teapot Member. Joined 30 Apr Messages Vinkenoog said:.

I will be using the solution too of course lol was just wondering how often it needed changing. I thought it would of need changing after every water change. Will have to look at the jbl one. Vinkenoog instead of a drop checker how do you know your ph hasn't dropped too much through too much co2? I just keep my eye on the tank and let the plants and the fish tell me their story, and show me what they need. When CO2 is injected into the aquarium, the CO2 will out gas from the aquarium water into the airspace of the drop checker.

As CO2 enters the air, it is absorbed into the indicator solution. The absorption of CO2 is the result of the gas seeking a point of equilibrium , or equal distribution of CO2 in the solution and the air; the basic principle behind the function of the drop checker.

As CO2 gas is absorbed into the indicator solution, it lowers the pH of the KH standard , which in turn changes the color of the pH indicator.

This condition of equilibrium allows the drop checker, a simple glass reservoir, to provide a highly accurate measurement of carbon dioxide CO2 in the planted aquarium.

This process is reversed when the injection of CO2 is decreased or zeroed , and the indicator solution contains more CO2 than the aquarium water. The CO2 will outgas from the indicator solution to seek equilibrium with the airspace and the aquarium water. This out gassing of CO2 will raise the pH of the solution and change the color of the pH indicator. In summary, never underestimate the power of the drop checker as an accurate tool for the measurement of CO2 when used correctly.

Look forward to a video to follow. View all posts by aquazilla. Turn on the CO2 drop checker and add 2 to 3 drops of indicator; 2. Add water into the fish tank until reaching the waterline; 3. Close the lid Invert the checker until it is sucked on the place which is 10cm from the water surface; There will also be a colorimetric scale of CO2 concentration.

Actually, the working principle of the CO2 drop checker is related to chemical equilibrium, a comparison table, and an acid-base indicator. CO2 is dissolved in water to form carbonic acid first, then the carbonic acid is dissociated to form bicarbonate radical and hydrogen ion. Once the checker is in the aquarium, it will take a few hours before CO2 in the aquariums exchanges across the air gap.

After hours, CO2 in the checker and CO2 in the aquarium should be the same. The increased CO2 level in the drop checker will affect the pH which will change the color of the regent from blue to green to yellow. A CO2 concentration of 30 ppm part per million is safe for most fish and inverts and the toxicity threshold can vary considerably, depending on dissolved oxygen O2 levels follow Practicalfishkeeping. Basing on these facts, the optimal CO2 concentration for both plants and fish is around 30 ppm.

Many successful aquarists also maintain the CO2 level in their planted tanks at 30 ppm. There are so many drop checkers on the market; however, following is the best one in my opinion. It includes three main components:. The NilocG Aquatics drop checker test kit is intelligently designed for the easiest use. The 4 dKH solution is already mixed with pH reagent and ready to use without adding anything. The flip top solution bottle is very easy to use without the need of using a pipette or syringe.

The 4 dKH solution needs to be changed at least once a month. When you use up the 4 KH solution bottle, you can easily buy online.

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