Another CO2 newbie question

[Johnnybravo60025]

So I should be getting my Red Sea CO2 Pro system in the mail sometime this week. I wanted to make sure that I know how to set it up before I get it. My tank is a 55 gallon with 8 Cardinal Tetras, 6 Albino Cories, and 2 Rubberlip Plecos. I'll be adding more fish later on, but I obviously have to do it slowly.

I obviously hook the tank up to the regulator, but how do I know how many psi it should be reading? How do I know what bps reading I need? Should I put an airstone on a timer for when the lights are out and the CO2 is off (I already have a timer for the lights and CO2)?

Please help! Thanks!

 

[Johnnybravo60025]

Anybody?

 

[hybridtheoryd16]

You need a drop checker with 4dkh solution to measure the dissilved co2 in the tank.

Basically you start out small, maybe 3BPS and work your way up from there daily. Until you get a nice lime green color on the drop checker. I adjust mine an hour or so before lights out. That way the co2 has all day to build up.

I also have my co2 come on 1.5hrs before the lights and go off 1hr before the lights. This way the co2 can build up before the lights come on and then gradually drop down as the lights go out. The later just saves co2.

PSI means nothing with co2 it goes by weight.

There is no need for a air stone at night. IMO

 

[mgamer20o0]

you want to keep a 6-8 psi inline to make sure to get a conceit flow of co2.

1-2 bubbles per sec is a good place to start. it really depends on how well you are diffusing the co2. drop check is a great way to go like hybridtheoryd16 said.

 

[kjfan1]

hmm.