Hi
So you are in the same case than me
no live stock, that means you can push CO2 as far as you want !
But that doesn't mean you have to waste your CO2. If drop checker is yellow that would "mean" that CO2 must be good ! Buuuut a yellow drop checker doesn't mean good distribution, you must know that !
You can have a big drop of your Ph because of CO2, but that doesn't mean it's well distribute. Maybe you have some spot where flow is not adequate for that type of plant or flow is too strong one one half of the tank and not enough strong for the other half. I don't know your flow set up but distribution (flow) is a very complicate thing !
I have been battling for very long time with my flow problems and I finished by putting down a scape to make an other one that will suite my flow pattern !
You know even with 4000 L/h pumps in a 260 L tank you can have distribution problems.
So to conclude yellow drop checker doesn't means perfect distribution ( I know from fact what I am talking about lol ).
Can you do something please.
Take a sample of your tank water in a clean bottle that shake it for a minute. Than open it and after 12 h take a ph measurement. Take also a ph measurement of your tank water when CO2 is at the Max ( lowest ph of the day).
The difference should be at least of 1 point of ph.
For example If first Ph is 7,3 you should have when injection is at the top a Ph of 6,3. THIS IS A "BASE" guide line. With a drop of one point you should have adequate CO2.
But this will depend also on your water. If you have mid hard water a drop of 1 point of ph is perfect, but for very soft water like mine you can go to 2 points.for example In one of my tank ph with rest water is 7,3 and the lowest Ph when injecting CO2 is 5,3 if I go above I start having issue because of lack of CO2.
I don't know if I made my self clear because English is not my language !
I wanted also to remind you that I am not an expert, but I think that the statement I am giving here are correct !
Please member if I am saying foolish things correct me !
Cheers mate
Zanguli