Re: ph Control

[Erik Olson <eriko@wrq.com>]

On Sun, 10 May 1998 gacasey@ibm.net wrote:

> Hello
> I have seen alot folks talking about peat and RO and this and that to
> control ph in their tanks and it has brought me to a question. In
> addition to my Apisto tanks I have a 150G Plant tank. So there you go.
> Why can't I use CO2 injection to set my ph at whatever level I need for
> the particular fish in the tank. I realize it isn't very cost effective
> but I just wonder if it is worth looking into.

This is probably speculation, but I think the major problem with this is
that the Apisto's actually want SOFT WATER, both in carbonate (KH) and in
general hardness (calcium and magnesium).  So if you inject CO2, it
doesn't really change the hardness of the water, just the pH.  And if you
start with a low KH to begin with, you can't really inject CO2 because it
will cause the pH to fluctuate wildly without a buffer.  Kind of a
"chicken & egg" thing.

I'd still try it.

  - Erik

- ---
Erik Olson				
eriko at wrq.com