CO2 O2 questions
- Thread starter lazyguy
- Start date
It would be very difficult for you to have such O2 depleted water as to kill a fish. Besides, a DIY CO2 system probably isn't the CO2 factory that you contemplate. Of course, if you've got all of the accoutrements (bubbler/diffuser/ladder/pressurized CO2) then it might be possible. If it's CO2 out of a 2L bottle, then I can't imagine that it is possible.
Which tank? Any plants (if it's the 30g)?
What type filter do you have? If it's HOB/biowheel I'd say no chance of an O2 starved environment. As long as you have a filter there's little chance it was lack of O2. Besides, if it's that O2 starved then they'd ALL die.
Which tank? Any plants (if it's the 30g)?
What type filter do you have? If it's HOB/biowheel I'd say no chance of an O2 starved environment. As long as you have a filter there's little chance it was lack of O2. Besides, if it's that O2 starved then they'd ALL die.
If you lost a weak fish due to the CO2, then I would imagine it is due to high, and I mean HIGH CO2 levels, and NOT oxygen depletion. I am pretty sure that the two gases have independent saturation levels, meaning putting in one does not affect the level of the other. However, fish "breathe" by exchanging CO2 for O2 at their gills, and if the level of CO2 is too high in the water, then the CO2 cannot pass through their gills into the water as easily, as there is less osmotic pressure, or something like that. I have repeatedly witnessed my glass catfish look really ill when my CO2 levels go too high (*waiting for the post-graduation gift of a stable pressurized CO2 system*).
I've even lost one (glass catfish) once when the CO2 levels went off the chart into the 100+ ppm range. And all of this with DIY CO2 in soda jugs; it is very possible. I have found out how to make TOO MUCH CO2, and I have found out through that process how to make just enough, and I think one 2-Liter bottle per 10gallons is right for me. The glass catfish and the Amano shrimp are the only creatures that head for the surface though when CO2 levels get high. Everybody else is apparently fine with upwards of 70ppm* CO2.
About having both CO2 and O2 systems running simultaneously:
To some degree adding O2 would create excess surface agitation, thereby allowing more of the CO2 to escape into the air. If, however, you hvae high enough CO2 generation, you could get away with some O2 addition. But the whole idea of adding CO2 is to get plant growth really going well, and if that is the successful, you should see the plants adding O2 to the water through pearling, and pearling does not cause ANY surface agitation, so by adding enough CO2 to a planted tank, you could (most likely will) increase O2 levels indirectly.
* I do not endorse CO2 levels above the recommended optimal level of 30ppm.
I've even lost one (glass catfish) once when the CO2 levels went off the chart into the 100+ ppm range. And all of this with DIY CO2 in soda jugs; it is very possible. I have found out how to make TOO MUCH CO2, and I have found out through that process how to make just enough, and I think one 2-Liter bottle per 10gallons is right for me. The glass catfish and the Amano shrimp are the only creatures that head for the surface though when CO2 levels get high. Everybody else is apparently fine with upwards of 70ppm* CO2.
About having both CO2 and O2 systems running simultaneously:
To some degree adding O2 would create excess surface agitation, thereby allowing more of the CO2 to escape into the air. If, however, you hvae high enough CO2 generation, you could get away with some O2 addition. But the whole idea of adding CO2 is to get plant growth really going well, and if that is the successful, you should see the plants adding O2 to the water through pearling, and pearling does not cause ANY surface agitation, so by adding enough CO2 to a planted tank, you could (most likely will) increase O2 levels indirectly.
* I do not endorse CO2 levels above the recommended optimal level of 30ppm.
It is the 5.5gal............ ok then mabey it was just a bad fish lol......
i have a canister filter and my dead fish was the only one in it at the time (i just got the tetras)
well it wasnt letting out a lot of CO2 i dont think.. it wasnt a stream of bubbles or anything... i did have some pearling when it was hooked up (not when i took it out tho) so i guess it wasnt lack of O2... just as i already said a bad fish lol again..
I think now that my tank is fully stocked i will try the CO2 again, if i have more problems i will post again i suppose!
thnx u guys,
nate
i have a canister filter and my dead fish was the only one in it at the time (i just got the tetras)
well it wasnt letting out a lot of CO2 i dont think.. it wasnt a stream of bubbles or anything... i did have some pearling when it was hooked up (not when i took it out tho) so i guess it wasnt lack of O2... just as i already said a bad fish lol again..
I think now that my tank is fully stocked i will try the CO2 again, if i have more problems i will post again i suppose!
thnx u guys,
nate