Atomizers, reactors, diffusing CO2 in general

[fjf888]

At this point, I feel I have tried so many CO2 diffusion methods. I bought a full setup with internal reactor. I've built an external venturi reactor, I've run CO2 into the intake of my Mag5. I have run CO2 into a RIO 800 powerhead with venturi attachment, currently I am using a reactor I made using a water filter (cerges reactor).

Everything either seems to slow down flow, or is inefficient in the use of CO2. (yes, my DIY skills might be a fault).

I want something that works that isn't much trouble, so that I can concentrate on the plants and scaping rather than constantly tinkering with CO2. I ran across the up-aqua atomizers. It seems to be a potential answer. I'm preferably looking for something I can run inline from my sump to keep equipment out of the tank.

I don't want to become a plumber, although doing my tank, i've learned more about plumbing than I ever thought I would, but everything involving an extensive plumbing setup is not for me.

Will the atomizers work on a tanks that are 70 gallons and up? Any help here from someone who has somewhat solved this dilemma would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[ingg]

I'd try and catch Sean at a meeting.

Sumps in and of themselves are a ather significant problem with CO2 retention. I know Sean makes it work, I just don't know how.

[jcali10]

Will the atomizers work on a tanks that are 70 gallons and up? Any help here from someone who has somewhat solved this dilemma would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

By atomizer, do you mean a diffuser with a ceramic disc or something like that? If so, they sell extra large ones with a 2 inch diameter disc which should work for a 70 plus gallon tank. I would think it would be best if you also had extra circulation (i.e. a koralia power).

[Ghazanfar Ghori]

I'd try and catch Sean at a meeting.

Sumps in and of themselves are a ather significant problem with CO2 retention. I know Sean makes it work, I just don't know how.

His will is strong....

[Jim Miller]

I keep rediscovering what I already knew: sharp 90* turns are flow killers, especially if the flow velocity is high. You might want to revisit your past reactor implementations in that light.

Jim

[fjf888]

This is what I was thinking about.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Up-aqua-CO2-Atomize ... 0666877975

Its cheap, some people rave about it in the forums FWIW.

[krisw]

Fred, I don't have that particular model, but by and large it's the same design. In short, yes, you want one. Unlike ceramic diffusers, you don't have to clean them nearly as often. One other benefit I've found is that I've been able to inject CO2 into a Fluval canister filter using one of these, which I could never do directly without air-locking. Plus, it's one less thing inside of the aquarium.

[fjf888]

Jim

So you're saying this might be the problem on the outflow there. Would putting a straight tee with flexible tubing work much better. That would be fairly straightforward.

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd65 ... 5-1505.jpg



Thanks

[fjf888]

Fred, I don't have that particular model, but by and large it's the same design. In short, yes, you want one. Unlike ceramic diffusers, you don't have to clean them nearly as often. One other benefit I've found is that I've been able to inject CO2 into a Fluval canister filter using one of these, which I could never do directly without air-locking. Plus, it's one less thing inside of the aquarium.

That's good to know, looks like it can't be much easier either.

Thanks

[DelawareJim]

Jim

So you're saying this might be the problem on the outflow there. Would putting a straight tee with flexible tubing work much better. That would be fairly straightforward.

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd65 ... 5-1505.jpg

Thanks

Try to avoid making any 90 degree turns at all if possible. Flexible tubing is always the best bet for not reducing flow.

If you can, try and get rid of the 90 degree turn coming out of the left side of your filter canister and just use a barb fitting with only flexible tubing to the control valve like you have on the right side. If you don't have the space or are worried about kinking and must use PVC, try going flex to 45 degree elbow to flex to control valve. It won't kill the flow quite so much.

Cheers.
Jim