Hello, everyone!
I have a planted, 38L (not excluding gravel etc.) tank. I've got 3 guppies and 9 white clouds in it. The tap water in my city has a KH of about 1 and is slightly acidic, and I have recently purchased a CO2 cylinder with a solenoid valve.
I am adding sodium bicarbonate to raise both pH and KH. So, here is what is happening: I achieved a pH of about 7.5 and KH of 4. But, when the CO2 turns on, the pH drops to about 6.8 or even less. This would give me a CO2 concentration of about 20 ppm (please, correct me if I am wrong).
Today I read here at the forum that I should have an average of 30 ppm, which would give me a much higher pH day/night variation. And I didn't want to get my pH too low or too high. I would like to mantain a neutral pH, as I read everywhere that guppies need it. I also read here that a one-point pH variation is acceptable. I this for right? Isn't it way too much for fishes to go through everyday?
So, I wanted to know what my alternatives were. Is it ok to add more sodium bicarbonate to elevate even further the pH and KH? This way, when CO2 turned on, I could achieve a 30 ppm CO2 concentration and a 1 point drop in pH.
Thank you!!!!
I have a planted, 38L (not excluding gravel etc.) tank. I've got 3 guppies and 9 white clouds in it. The tap water in my city has a KH of about 1 and is slightly acidic, and I have recently purchased a CO2 cylinder with a solenoid valve.
I am adding sodium bicarbonate to raise both pH and KH. So, here is what is happening: I achieved a pH of about 7.5 and KH of 4. But, when the CO2 turns on, the pH drops to about 6.8 or even less. This would give me a CO2 concentration of about 20 ppm (please, correct me if I am wrong).
Today I read here at the forum that I should have an average of 30 ppm, which would give me a much higher pH day/night variation. And I didn't want to get my pH too low or too high. I would like to mantain a neutral pH, as I read everywhere that guppies need it. I also read here that a one-point pH variation is acceptable. I this for right? Isn't it way too much for fishes to go through everyday?
So, I wanted to know what my alternatives were. Is it ok to add more sodium bicarbonate to elevate even further the pH and KH? This way, when CO2 turned on, I could achieve a 30 ppm CO2 concentration and a 1 point drop in pH.
Thank you!!!!