Red Sea CO2 system and algae removal

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justonemoretank

Feeder Fish
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Mar 30, 2009
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Okay, so we bought the Red Sea CO2 system for our planted tank. It came with the little in-tank indicator. However, I've been reading that instead of using tank water inside of the indicator, you should use some 4 dKH solution. Is this true? Has anyone done this, or does everyone just use tank water like the instructions say? I'm finding it a little hard to read. Is there a better test we can use that's more accurate?

Also, the reason we purchased it is because we have the fluffy dark green algae all around the leaves of our Amazon Swords, and I was told this was due to not enough CO2. So, now that we have the CO2, should I just manually remove the algae from the leaves, or do you just wait for it to die off?

Thanks for any help here. :D
 
NAH!!! YOU JUST NEED SOME ALGE EATERS. I WAS TOLD THE SAME THING AND WAS REALLY CLOSE TO BUY THE SAME UNIT. BUT SEARCHED IT ON YOUTUBE AND FOUND THAT YOU COULD MAKE A HOME MADE CO2. SO IM TRYING THAT NOW. MY PLANT ARE LIKE SUPER BRIGHT GREEN. ALSO BECAUSE OF THE HIGH LIGHT OUTPUT NEEDED FOR LIGHTS. IT GOOD TO AD ALGE DESTROYER WITH EVER WATER CHANGE. HARM LESS TO PLANTS AND FISH.
 
Well, I've already bought the system, so I'm going to use it. Also, I don't want to increase bioload in order to get rid of algae, so that's why we went with this. I don't believe in buying fish to fix a problem. In addition, I don't really agree with dumping chemicals into my tanks. You just never know what's going to happen. Others may argue with me, but I've got about 1700 gallons or so running all together, and I don't use chemicals. My tanks and my pond are all just fine without them. In my opinion, if there's a problem, there's a reason, and chemicals are just a Band-Aid. I want to fix the problem, not cover it up. And why are you yelling at me about it? :D

I'm trying to figure out the best way to monitor CO2 levels. And to remove my algae.
 
Okay. Yeah, I'm not sure of the name of it, but it's the little plastic bubble and you put the reagent in. So, we just use distilled water and add baking soda until we get to 4 dKH? Thanks for the tip on the algae. I was hoping it would just go away. I try to mess with the plants as little as possible.
 
I'm not sure Co2 will fix your problem.. I've never used it. But I can say hair alage the best removal tool is a fish. Rosy Barbs. I prefer the longfin variety as they tend to be very mild mannered compared to the regular ones. I always kept a pair in my 55 gallon and never had issues with this. Like you I don't liek useing a fish to fix a problems but just so you know ;) if you decide you like them. They do well in a planted Aquarium.

And Algae destroyer and other similar products won't hurt your plants or your fish.. But it will harm your bacterial cycle in your tank. It can decimate a nitrification colony quickly if over dosed in particular. Like any Chemical be very careful of it. and Many of those products are lethal to Shrimp/Snails ect.

Though I hate to point out your Co2 system is pretty much adding somethign to fix a problem ;) Likely their is a nutrient imbalance in your water which is causeing the algae to get a foot-hold.
 
I'm just trying to figure out how to test the CO2 levels the right way.

I don't want any more fish. I already have about 60 one-inch fish, a pair of adult angels, and six 2.5 inch clown loaches. I have lots of fish in the tank, and I don't want to add anymore, especially nippy fish. Obviously, I'm adding CO2 to fix a problem, but it's not a chemical, and it's not an extra fish, both of which could be harmful to my current stock.

Can anyone just give me some advice on this 4 dKH solution? Do I just make it with Baking Soda? Or, if tank water is 4 dKH, can I just use that? I'm not sure what the difference is.
 
Here is a pretty descriptive article about a drop checker. It helped me out tremendously in understanding the mechanics.
http://www.njagc.net/articles/co2dropchecker.htm

I ordered mine a couple weeks ago and am hoping to get it in within the next couple of days. Jcardona1 says that a lab prepared 4dkh solution is more acurate than one prepared "DIY style". I have to agree (based on logic). Here is also a link that talks a LITTLE about the drop checker.
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=274518&page=2&highlight=drop+checker
 
Thanks! I'll take a look at them. I was having trouble finding anything out about the solution, because, of course, Red Sea says to use tank water, and then I heard not to, but couldn't find any folks saying that's what they did. Then, someone told me to do that, but I didn't know how to make it... anyway. Thanks for your help.

Edit: Did you order lab-prepared? Or are you making it yourself? The prepared kind sounds a lot easier. I'm going to try and find it.

Edit again: Any idea where to find this lab-prepared 4dKH solution? Google's not giving me any results on folks who sell it.
 
I bought the drop checker and it came with the lab-prepared 4dkh solution. I got it from aqmagic.com . I still have not recieved it though (it has been 2 weeks). Free shipping sure does take forever.
I have not been able to find just the solution anywhere, except here http://www.azgardens.com/p-246-co2-indicator.aspx
However, it doesn't say what exactly the "refill" solution is. It is the closestest I could come to finding it, but I am sure someone on MFK knows how to find some. Jcardona1 maybe?
 
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