Aqua Medic CO2 Reactor 500

[Jeff120]

Anyone use this reactor? I am using a hagen ladder to my new pressurized setup on my 29 gallon. Just wondering if this one is any more efficient. I still get very small bubbles at the top of the ladder, so its not 100%. I am running about 1.5 bubbles per second with a CO2 of 6.4 and a KH of 3 so my level is pretty good and the fish and shrimp are fine.
I made a DIY external for my 55 but am paranoid about a hose blowing off , I live in a second floor apartment and am not sure if renters insurance would cover such a thing nor do I care to find out. So I dont want to go that route

[SCMurphy]

The bubbles at the top of the hagen ladder don't have any CO2 left in them. It has all dissolved out and has been replaced by O2 and N2 when a bubble reaches the top.

[John G]

Sean wrote: "The bubbles at the top of the hagen ladder don't have any CO2 left in them. It has all dissolved out and has been replaced by O2 and N2 when a bubble reaches the top."

I've heard this before, but never seen any references to support it. Do you know of anyone who has ever actually tested the bubbles to see if they still contain CO2?

John

[Jeff120]

So I guess the powerhead that I stuck above it isnt doing any good then. I guess I will keep the ladder then.

[DelawareJim]

Where were you planning on getting your AM 500?

I'm planning on replacing my ladder and putting the AM reactor 1000 under my 110 gallon to remove some of the clutter. Right now I'm shopping around for the best price.

Cheers.
Jim

[SCMurphy]

Jim we have a DIY article for making a PVC CO2 reactor. I think that might be your best option for a tank that size. We even had Aaron do a demo at a meeting on how to make one. I think Kris posted the pictures to the website.

[rodcon00]

The pictures of Aaron assembling the reactor are on the website under the August 2005 meeting.

http://www.gwapa.org/articles/august2005/index.html

The DIY article from Ghazanfar is under the articles section

http://www.gwapa.org/articles/inline_co2_reactor/

[DelawareJim]

Damn! Wish I would have made the meeting.

So what kind of parts list are we looking at as far as barb size, PVC pipe diameter, etc.? I'm assuming I'd try to keep it about the same size as an Aqua Medic or Dupla (about 15" long and 3" diameter)?

I'm running a pair of Eheim 2217's with 12/16 mm and 16/22 mm tubing. Thought about using quick disconnects at each end in case I might have to remove it for periodic cleaning or to fix a leak.

I like Robert's vegetative filters too. Often thought about trying that.

Cheers.
Jim

[RTRJR]

LOL! Thanks - those are the lazy way to help maintain water. The only downside to the Crinums (other than eating light) is the smell when they flower - excuse me, the fragrance. I gave just a couple of stems to a neighbor a few days ago. She loved them the first day, then plastic bagged them into the trash. She said that when she came back in from shopping her whole house smelled like the perfume counter at a department store. Why does she think I give them away or trash them myself?

Val or H. difformis are easier but not as hungry. Tropical hornwort is too fast growing and hungry. I use Excel in the circulating range and Anacharis is a no-go. Without Excel it is the easiest.

[DelawareJim]

What variety of Crinums you growing? They appear to be growing in a plastic tub with gravel as the substrate and water from the tanks is cycled through?

I grow several terrestrial varieties as well as C. thaianum. My thaianum is potted in soil in standing water (emersed). Grows more slowly, but I'm hoping for a flower if for nothing else, just to say I did it.

Cheers.
Jim