The signs of Co2 overdose

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BassetsForBrown

Plecostomus
MFK Member
Dec 2, 2012
526
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Boston
Hi,

Have a DIY Co2 system made from a paintball canister, it services a 90g aquarium of SA/CA cichlids, some red tail botia, and a pleco. This aquarium is planted, but only moderately so, and it is mainly Java Fern. My system is currently producing 2-3 bubbles per second, which are run directly into my canister filter intake - I'm quite sure they are adequately diffusing as I never see any sort of gases coming out of the output head of the filter. I generally only run my two air pumps at night when the lights are off.

My main question is regarding the o2 levels: If none of the fish are displaying signs of low oxygen (e.g. trying to breath off the top of the water, or relentlessly flapping their gills) can I safely assume that the Co2 level is not to high for them, and that they have plenty of oxygen to breath? I only ask because I know that in humans, the presence of certain chemicals like Carbon monoxide can kill an individual without them initially showing any signs of oxygen deprivation. I don't want to inadvertently be poising my fish with Co2 and not realize it.


Thank you.
 
Anchovie said:
If you're concerned I would stop using it. Javas don't need a co2 system anyway. You can plant moderately with java and anubias without co2 systems.


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Java's are just my start. I plan to be adding more variety, I was just wondering if the fish would show signs of o2 deprivation, or if there are any visible indicators of excess Co2 displayed by my fish.
 
brich999 said:
drop checker can save you and your fish from disaster
Click to expand...

I do plan to purchase a drop checker in the near future, thank you for your advise. However, do you know if - in the mean time - my fish would display any sort of signs/indications of excess Co2 if there was in fact too much, or would they behave normally even if they were being poisoned by it?
 
I think I've found an answer if anyone was still interested. They won't gasp for oxygen, but they will dash, dart, and behave in a directionless/irradic manner.
 
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