Effect of excess CO2 in source water?

[Dr Colliebreath]

I recently discovered my tapwater has a good bit of co2. I used the Spectrapure test kit and stopped testing when it became clear the co2 exceeds 70 or 80 ppm (each drop of a reagent is 1 ppm). The co2 is in the water coming out of my rodi unit (i have two Di cartridges) as it seems the co2 goes right through the membrane and di cartridges.

I know the co2 can eat up the di cartridges.

Given the co2 is getting into makeup and topoff water and I have a hair algae and cyano problem, I started wondering if the co2 is fueling the problem. Any thoughts as to whether there could be any connection?

 

[ReachTheSky]

Highly doubtful in my opinion. People use seltzer water at times to remedy high pH issues and that has FAR more dissolved CO2 in it (>250 ppm) than tap water. I've never heard hair algae or cyano issues that have stemmed from this.

If there truly excessive amount of dissolved CO2 or H2CO3 (Carbonic Acid) in your water source, it might bring pH down a tiny bit for a few short seconds while you top off the tank before quickly bouncing back to normal. I don't see how anything in an aquarium would even notice that, much less thrive on it.

 

[JeF4y]

CO2 will lower your pH but I don't believe that will fuel an algae issue. Really, about the only drawback I can think of is low pH.

 

[disc1]

CO2 will lower your pH but I don't believe that will fuel an algae issue. Really, about the only drawback I can think of is low pH.

+1. The biggest concern is what it does to your di resin.

 

[jrp1588]

The CO2 should gas off and reach normal equilibrium with the room. As you said though, it will eat through your resin, so make sure you keep a TDS meter on it to know when it needs changed.

 

[Dr Colliebreath]

Thanks, I thought I would ask given that plants in general use CO2 and I just found out that I have substantial quantities of it in my water.