Hey guys another co2 injection noob question. On the other thread I would like to use 1 co2 cyclinder to provide co2 inject for 4 tanks which got the answer that i would need to buy a manifold 4 way. Will i need reactor for each tank?Is there anything else im missing to get the setup together?
CO2 REACTORS for co2 setup
- Thread starter PLURMaster
- Start date
yeah, youll need a reactor/diffusor for each tank. a reactor is best used inline with a canister filter and is plumbed after the filter. but since your tanks are pretty small, im assuming you wont be using a canister filter for each. in that case, your best route would be to run a diffusor for each tank.
the diffusor is placed in the tank, so yes, you will need one for each. the airline that comes out of each bubble counter will go to each diffusor in the tanks.
if you were to run canister filters, then you would want a DIY reactor. the outlet for your canister would enter the top of the reactor and come out the bottom. each co2 airline from the bubble counter would be fed into each reactor.
have you seen my 55g thread in the planted tank section? there's a few pics of my setup which could help you understand how it all works.
another thing to note, since youll be using only one co2 tank/regulator/solenoid, the co2 will turn on/off at the same times for all tanks. this means that the lighting/co2 schedules for all 4 tanks would have to be identical since there is only one solenoid controlling the flow of co2 into all the tanks. if you want to run different schedules/hours, you would need a setup for each individual tank.
hope this helps, lemme know if you have any other questions!
the diffusor is placed in the tank, so yes, you will need one for each. the airline that comes out of each bubble counter will go to each diffusor in the tanks.
if you were to run canister filters, then you would want a DIY reactor. the outlet for your canister would enter the top of the reactor and come out the bottom. each co2 airline from the bubble counter would be fed into each reactor.
have you seen my 55g thread in the planted tank section? there's a few pics of my setup which could help you understand how it all works.
another thing to note, since youll be using only one co2 tank/regulator/solenoid, the co2 will turn on/off at the same times for all tanks. this means that the lighting/co2 schedules for all 4 tanks would have to be identical since there is only one solenoid controlling the flow of co2 into all the tanks. if you want to run different schedules/hours, you would need a setup for each individual tank.
hope this helps, lemme know if you have any other questions!
Thanks yes sorry more quesions. All my tanks are using HOB via aquaclear. So that exclude the DIY reactor. Will i need pump for each tank then? Doesnt the 4 way manifold you mention on other thread have a bubble counter built in? Is diffusor same as reactor or same as bubble counter?
comments below...
PLURMaster;2420310; said:Thanks yes sorry more quesions. All my tanks are using HOB via aquaclear. HOB filters tend to create a lot of water movement and will gas off your co2. do some more research on this. it could work, but you need to make sure you arent creating excess water movement
So that exclude the DIY reactor. Will i need pump for each tank then? pump? i'm confused as to what you mean here. you wont need any pumps. what type of "pump" are you referring to?
Doesnt the 4 way manifold you mention on other thread have a bubble counter built in? i guess this depends on the version/brand you buy. some will, and some will only sell the manifold itself. basically what you need is a manifold with as many ports that you need. then, for each port, you will need a needle valve to adjust the flow to each tank and a bubble counter to count the bubbles per second. this is how you know how much co2 is going into each tank.
Is diffusor same as reactor or same as bubble counter? a diffusor and a reactor are essentially the same thing. they both mix the co2 in with your tank water, but they use different methods. diffusors are the little glass pieces you usually see that go inside the tank. a reactor is usually used for bigger setups and goes outside of the tank, usually inline with a canister filter.
a bubble counter is completely different. this does not mix the co2 with your water. all it does is allow you to count the bubbles of co2 passing thru the liquid so you know how much co2 your are injecting. for example, a common starting point is 3pbs (bubbles per second). you would adjust your needle valve to approx 3bps based on the bubbles you count in the bubble counter, hence its name!
Here, see if this helps:
1) Needle Valves - this how you fine tune the flow of co2 into each tank
2) Bubble Counters - this is how you measure the flow of co2 (in bubbles per second)
3) Manifold - This is how you split up the flow of co2. this is a 3-port manifold
** Top of bubble counters - this is where you attach the co2 tubing. this would then feed into each reactor or diffusor
1) Needle Valves - this how you fine tune the flow of co2 into each tank
2) Bubble Counters - this is how you measure the flow of co2 (in bubbles per second)
3) Manifold - This is how you split up the flow of co2. this is a 3-port manifold
** Top of bubble counters - this is where you attach the co2 tubing. this would then feed into each reactor or diffusor
and here's another good link. this guy sells the manifold individually so you could build your own kit. you will still need needle valves and bubble counters for each port. if you havent heard of Rex Grigg, then you need to know he is one of the main guys in the planted tank world.
also, spend some time reading his articles. youll find these on the home page. they are full of GREAT info
http://www.bestaquariumregulator.com/CO2.html
http://www.rexgrigg.com
also, spend some time reading his articles. youll find these on the home page. they are full of GREAT info
http://www.bestaquariumregulator.com/CO2.html
http://www.rexgrigg.com
wow. so much information and you have helped me answer all my needs. Thank you so much for taking the time and find all the answers jcardona1. Really appreciated
i may have come in after you have all your questions answered but you can use a water pump like what you would in a sump or somthing similer to push water through a reactor and then back into your tank. but it just adds equipment and is alot more work. i would run a diffuser in each tank they work just as good in smaller tanks. but do some research on the best placement for them i heard it is at mid level of the tank. ie not by the substrate and not at the surface. hope that helps with the diffuser stuff aswell.