Diffuser Suggestion

dempsec1 · 10-28-2009, 04:29 PM

Hello all,

I am getting ready to setup my 75 as a planted tank. I have a 5lbs pressurized CO2 bottle. Any suggestions on a difusser for a tank that size? I will not have much surface disturbance and i have a Coralife Aqualight Double Linear Strip Compact Fluorescent Fixture, 4X65 Watt, 48 inch.

Thanks,
C

**Hoppy** · 11-01-2009, 05:29 AM

I think I would look into a needle wheel powerhead to use as a CO2 diffuser. With one of those, or a DIY version of one, you inject the CO2 into the powerhead inlet, and let the pump rotor chop it into tiny bubbles and blow them around the tank. This gets CO2 into the water quickly, it makes it easy to see where the CO2 is going by watching the tiny bubbles, so you can adjust the tank water circulation to get CO2 to all of the plants, and it is pretty cheap. The disadvantage is that it is in the tank, and some people dislike the carbonated water appearance of the tank water.

dempsec1 · 11-05-2009, 01:32 PM

Thank you for the reply! One more question... Is the goal for the tiny bubbles to reach and touch every plant? Could I hide the powerhead in the back of the tank behind plants and make sure i have good curculation? I guess my question is, if I dont see tiny bubbles everywhere in the tank, does that mean that the co2 isn't reaching all of the plants?

Cbwmn · 11-05-2009, 01:50 PM

Dempsec

I didn’t see what kind of filter you are using.
I inject my pressurized CO2 into the intake of my XP2 canister filter. The impellor chops the bubbles up and I don’t see any in the water all. I just heated some hard tubing, bent it 90 and put it in a small drilled hole in the intake. Also there is NO noise from the CO2 being injected.
Works for me.
Charles

dempsec1 · 11-05-2009, 02:08 PM

For my 75g I have a xp3 still in the box. I was thinking about doing what you suggested also. I read that the XP's don't get a gas build up like other canister filters but wanted to also get the most distribution. In my 29g i have it pumped right into my HOB aquaclear 70 intake. I see the tiny bubbles throughout the tank but not totally sure if thats all co2 or also o2. I am interested in opinions of other ppl's trial and errors. I guess i was hoping to learn from others mistakes and find the best way to inject.

10-28-2009, 04:29 PM	#1 (permalink)
dempsec1 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Clifton Heights, PA Posts: 64	Diffuser Suggestion Hello all, I am getting ready to setup my 75 as a planted tank. I have a 5lbs pressurized CO2 bottle. Any suggestions on a difusser for a tank that size? I will not have much surface disturbance and i have a Coralife Aqualight Double Linear Strip Compact Fluorescent Fixture, 4X65 Watt, 48 inch. Thanks, C

11-01-2009, 05:29 AM	#2 (permalink)
Hoppy Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (22/100%) Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 5,690	I think I would look into a needle wheel powerhead to use as a CO2 diffuser. With one of those, or a DIY version of one, you inject the CO2 into the powerhead inlet, and let the pump rotor chop it into tiny bubbles and blow them around the tank. This gets CO2 into the water quickly, it makes it easy to see where the CO2 is going by watching the tiny bubbles, so you can adjust the tank water circulation to get CO2 to all of the plants, and it is pretty cheap. The disadvantage is that it is in the tank, and some people dislike the carbonated water appearance of the tank water. __________________ Hoppy

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11-05-2009, 01:32 PM	#3 (permalink)
dempsec1 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Clifton Heights, PA Posts: 64	Thank you for the reply! One more question... Is the goal for the tiny bubbles to reach and touch every plant? Could I hide the powerhead in the back of the tank behind plants and make sure i have good curculation? I guess my question is, if I dont see tiny bubbles everywhere in the tank, does that mean that the co2 isn't reaching all of the plants?

11-05-2009, 01:50 PM	#4 (permalink)
Cbwmn Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: El Paso, Texas Posts: 96	Dempsec I didn’t see what kind of filter you are using. I inject my pressurized CO2 into the intake of my XP2 canister filter. The impellor chops the bubbles up and I don’t see any in the water all. I just heated some hard tubing, bent it 90 and put it in a small drilled hole in the intake. Also there is NO noise from the CO2 being injected. Works for me. Charles

11-05-2009, 02:08 PM	#5 (permalink)
dempsec1 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Clifton Heights, PA Posts: 64	For my 75g I have a xp3 still in the box. I was thinking about doing what you suggested also. I read that the XP's don't get a gas build up like other canister filters but wanted to also get the most distribution. In my 29g i have it pumped right into my HOB aquaclear 70 intake. I see the tiny bubbles throughout the tank but not totally sure if thats all co2 or also o2. I am interested in opinions of other ppl's trial and errors. I guess i was hoping to learn from others mistakes and find the best way to inject.

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