H.O.T. Magnum as diffuser?

[dogg76]

Maybe I should have posted this in diy...not sure.
Has anyone used the H.O.T. Magnum as a co2 diffuser? If you have, how did it work? I was thinking of trying this so I could get my diy diffuser out of the tank. If I did start using it, would the co2 levels drop a lot when I took the filter out for cleaning?

[MantisX]

Well ive never intentionally used it as a diffuser. However, one day I was diatoming my water and I left the c02 on by accident. Naturally the bubbles were sucked into the intake. It churned them up pretty clean. The only reason I dont use it as a diffuser is because the tank in question is only 10 gallons. Its like a tornado in there If I were to use the hot as a diffuser, I would use the carbon cartridge, minus the carbon in it. You might want to monitor the water flow too, ive heard these slow down alot when theyre really clogged.

Hope this helps

[Rex Grigg]

If you have an cannister filter why not build a DIY reactor?

[dogg76]

I have already built the diy diffuser using the gravel vacuum. I was just wondering if letting it bubble into the canister would be as efficient as the diy. If it is, then I could get the diy out of the tank.

[fishyboy]

he's sayign if you have a canister (says you do in profile, why don't you make a external DIY reactor

[Wasserpest]

If the filter can handle it, it's definitely a very efficient (simple, safe, cheap...) way of diffusing CO2. You should really try it and monitor the filter. If it runs quietly and does not fill up with air (CO2, O2, whatever) it should work well.

I know there are a few of us that use their XP canisters as diffusors, but mine fills up with gas and starts to burp. Next best method is - like Rex suggested - an external reactor connected to your canister filter.

[MantisX]

I wonder would c02 have to be constantly pumped to it? I was thinking about hanging mine on the back of my 10 gallon and turning it on for an hour or 2 a day and shutting off. I wonder would it diffuse enough c02 into the water for that day? I paid 40 for it and it does an awesome diatom job, but I figure I might as well use it for something else since I paid for it.

[Wasserpest]

That's a good question! All of the CO2 systems that I am familiar with provide some sort of constant flow, so my first thought was that this would probably not work, and it would stress occupants of the tank due to the fluctuating pH values. I don't know if anyone has actually measured how long it takes for CO2 to deplete, so letting it run for an hour or two say in the morning might be better than not running it at all.

In any case, a HOT Magnum can not be directly connected to a 10 gal tank, it is way too strong for it. Unless you use oversized sponges to reduce the whirlpool effect.

[Hop]

If this is the Hot Magnum 250 HOB, it doesn't work very well as a diffuser on tanks larger than about 50 gallons. To hold 30 ppm on my old 55 the filter would air lock about every two days. Now if this is a Magnum 350, cannister, I hear they work very well, but have never used one. I guess that if I had a 350 I would still use an inline reactor, be it be store bought or home made.

[ThatNewGuy]

I use my HOT Magnum as a diffuser on my 29 Gal and have not had any problems. Mine has an air ejection tube inside that prevents it from getting air locked so no problem there. In fact I have had to turn the airpump back on to stir the water and reduce CO2 once in awhile.