CO2

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walker26
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I’ve just installed a CO2 system using an inline Ista Ceramic Reactor. I was under the impression that a set up like this should mean that all the CO2 is dissolved before entering the aquarium but I have some very small bubbles drifting around in the water. Is this normal or is there anything I can do to sort it? Not sure if it makes any difference but I’ve got it running at 1bps at the moment. Thanks.
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340 litre Aqua Oak
Fluval FX-4
Fluval Aquasky 2.0
Fluval Plant 3.0
Aquael Platinum 300W heater
4 x Angels (2 x breeding pairs)
6 x Gold Pristella Tetra
7 x Pristella Tetra
1 x Cardinal Tetra
1 x Female Rainbow Stiphodon Goby
8 x Sterbai Corys
6 x Ottocinclus
3 x Bristlenose
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Martinspuddle
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Yes, this is normal.

The idea is produce as smaller bubbles as possible to give longer contact time with the water so that some of CO2 is adsorbed into the water column.
WARNING - DO NOT BREED, FEED OR PET THE PUDDLE! :dodgy2:
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walker26
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I see, thanks. I was hoping that the reactor meant that I wouldn’t get any bubbles. It has the added benefit of being able to see that my water is circulating the whole tank quite nicely I suppose. Just hope I don’t get algae now as so far it’s been virtually zero. I’ve got a feeling that having swapped the 4 BN’s for 8 Otos, started dosing EI ferts and now adding CO2 that I may have upset the equilibrium of the tank.
340 litre Aqua Oak
Fluval FX-4
Fluval Aquasky 2.0
Fluval Plant 3.0
Aquael Platinum 300W heater
4 x Angels (2 x breeding pairs)
6 x Gold Pristella Tetra
7 x Pristella Tetra
1 x Cardinal Tetra
1 x Female Rainbow Stiphodon Goby
8 x Sterbai Corys
6 x Ottocinclus
3 x Bristlenose
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Martinspuddle
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You can still get bubbles in the water column with a reactor.

As long as keep to a strict maintenance routine of 50% weekly waterchanges, keeping the bio load at sensible levels and any cleaning, trimming or disturbance to the aquarium, remember to do a waterchange afterwards, you should have any issues.
WARNING - DO NOT BREED, FEED OR PET THE PUDDLE! :dodgy2:
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walker26
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Posts: 326
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Location: Norfolk
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Thanks.
340 litre Aqua Oak
Fluval FX-4
Fluval Aquasky 2.0
Fluval Plant 3.0
Aquael Platinum 300W heater
4 x Angels (2 x breeding pairs)
6 x Gold Pristella Tetra
7 x Pristella Tetra
1 x Cardinal Tetra
1 x Female Rainbow Stiphodon Goby
8 x Sterbai Corys
6 x Ottocinclus
3 x Bristlenose
walker26
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Posts: 326
Joined: Sun Nov 29, 2020 10:44 am
Location: Norfolk
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It’s been a week since I added the CO2 and it’s running at 2-3 bps. I haven’t got a drop checker as I don’t want any more equipment in the tank and I’ve read mixed things about their accuracy.
I’ve been testing the pH and KH regularly but not seen any change to either. Shouldn’t I have seen some change by now or is it just that I’m not pumping in enough CO2? Thanks.
340 litre Aqua Oak
Fluval FX-4
Fluval Aquasky 2.0
Fluval Plant 3.0
Aquael Platinum 300W heater
4 x Angels (2 x breeding pairs)
6 x Gold Pristella Tetra
7 x Pristella Tetra
1 x Cardinal Tetra
1 x Female Rainbow Stiphodon Goby
8 x Sterbai Corys
6 x Ottocinclus
3 x Bristlenose
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Andys temperate tank
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I'm the opposite of you walker. I have had a drop checker from day 1 of adding co2. Never checked ph and kh.

I can't remember what bps I'm at right now but I will check when I get home.
64l kitchen tank: 16 golden tetra.
5ft 425L: 7 blue angel fish, 30 rummie nose tetra, 20 black neon tetra, 1 longfin bristlenose plec, 2 corydoras sterbai, 2 SAE.
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