Reddit reviews Fluval CO2 Indicator Solution, 0.34 fl. oz.
We found 4 Reddit comments about Fluval CO2 Indicator Solution, 0.34 fl. oz.. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
Monitors levels of CO2 in aquariumsReplacement liquid for the Fluval CO2 IndicatorEnsures fish and plants live in a healthy environment
most expensive stuff was actually the stupid aquasoil.. no one locally was carrying the fluval stratum anymore, so i got stuck dropping 20 bucks per 4 lb bag. I refuse to use eco complete ever again. Most expensive stuff will be the light and the regulator, going LED and larger tank is more expensive at first, but you save money in the long run
not convinced at these being accurate at all https://www.amazon.com/Aquarium-Dioxide-Monitor-Solution-Indicator/dp/B01C9DGXV0/ref=sr_1_6?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1473971368&sr=1-6&keywords=co2+drop+checker
not going to go into the various other crap i bought so totaling it all up ... (preparing to wince)
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About $575 after tax/shipping/lube.
with the stuff i got that is now in a bin for being crap... tack on about another 150-200 bucks (aquatek regulator/ paintball sytem)
http://www.amazon.com/Fluval-CO2-Indicator-Solution-0-34/dp/B0052UAL7U/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1419981802&sr=8-3&keywords=CO2+indicator
theres a super good diy set up thats super cheap. Baking soda +water then in other bottle citric acid and 3 parts water with hoses and valves built in. Let me know what you think of my list and let me know if im missing anything if you dont mind
Diffuser System
glass co2 checker
drops co2
bubble counter
The glass spiral diffuser
It is, except it lacks the drops. These are the drops I use: http://www.amazon.com/Fluval-A7552-CO2-Indicator-Solution/dp/B0052UAL7U/ref=pd_sim_petsupplies_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=0VXM9EWQTEW0BCP47ABD Those drops are already included in the product I linked before.
This works on the basis of the relationship between KH, pH, and CO2 (that was mentioned in this thread). What you are measuring is the amount of CO2 that permeates the solution inside the glass bubble.
What happens is you water with known properties (specifically, a known KH with no other acids, buffers, or phosphates) inside the glass bubble along with a pH measuring compound. You then put the bubble inside the tank, with a layer of oxygen in between the solution inside the bubble and your aquarium water. The CO2 in your aquarium water permeates the oxygen and then eventually makes its way into the bubble, changing the pH of the water. Since the water inside the bubble has pH drops in it, it changes color based on the amount of CO2 inside the water. So basically you're doing a continuous pH measurement of water with a known KH and the introduction of your CO2.
Some people will tell you to just take water from your aquarium, put it in the drop checker, and add pH drops. That's bad because your tank water may not have the right conditions to read CO2 properly. The drops (linked above) are a mix of the proper water and pH drops.