CO2 diffusion

[Haag13]

Just wondering how those of you with pressurized CO2 diffuse it into the water. I've been bubbling it into the intake of my canister filter since I set mine up last year but, I just upgraded my lighting substantially and I want to start injecting more CO2 than I have been in the past. I usually run around 3 bubbles per second but I want to step it up to about 5-6 and when I run this into the intake, my canister filter has a little bit of cavitation noise which was never present before. I'm thinking maybe I should just get a rhinox or something similiar. Any tips/reviews on what you use/prefer would be appreciated. Thanks
-Ryan

 

[Bk828]

From what ive heard theres nothing better than diffusing the co2 right into the intake of the filter.. And btw instead of just raising it to 5-6 bubbles get a drop checker and check the exact amount of co2 in your water, those 5-6 bubbles could not be enough or just be 2 much.

Glass diffusers like rhinox are also good but there are plenty of others that sell for way cheaper.. Also heard that you can get the same tiny bubbles from a wooden airstone, and that way save a bunch of $$.

 

[WyldFya]

Diffusing into the intake of a canister is not a good method IMO. You will gradually destroy your filter this way. There are no other filters that would work at all either for this style. Glass diffusers are very good. A limewood air diffuser will work, not well, but it will work, however, the wood will also deteriorate very quickly, needing to be replaced every couple months. In the long run, it will cost a lot more. I personally run my co2 into a glass diffuser (use to use an ebo air diffuser, which work just as good as the glass diffuser) and put a hydor koralia pump over it to break up the co2 more. The koralia's are a turbine pump, which doesn't have a problem taking air/co2 into it.

 

[Haag13]

Yeah I have a koralia in my saltwater tank. What type of glass diffusor do you use? I tried a cheap ceramic disc one before but almost all of the CO2 escaped between the disc and the o-ring. Currently I pump it through a limewood block which is tied to my canister intake but as I said before, my pump is getting noisy and cavitating. I'm thinking about a rhinox or maybe one of the ADA's. Just trying to see if anyone can recommend a brand that's tried and true.

 

[WyldFya]

I just use a basic glass diffuser. If you want easily found, and reasonably priced, go with the rhinox, they are very good. If you want the best, go ADA.

 

[]v[onster Loaches]

There are so many ways to build reactors and diffusers.
-Rex styly reactor (just a long vertical pipe with water flowing down)
-Tom Barr internal venturi loop reactor
-Tom Barr external venturi loop reactor
-needle wheel / mesh wheel diffusers
-inline mazzei venturi

Those seem to be the best.