Co2: Diffuser or Reactor

[Aquarist14]

I'm in the process of getting all the equipment needed to cycle and start my 75 gallon tank. But I'm stumped. What are the advantages and disadvantages of both and what's the better choice? I don't have much experience with co2 at all so all help will be appreciated.

Thanks!

[kevmo911]

A reactor is probably about as efficient as a really good diffuser (basically, an Atomic-style diffuser). A DIY reactor will probably cost about as much as an Atomic. An Atomic (inline or in-tank) is smaller and requires less work to set up. It will fill your tank with micro-bubbles. A reactor requires some thought and a trip to Home Depot, and then some work to put everything together. It will also add another 2 feet or so of head to the canister filter, which will inevitably slow flow a bit. But there are no in-tank bubbles, and if you do it right you'll get 100% CO2 diffusion. An Atomic does require a minimum of 30 psi to function, while a diffuser can be run with a much lower pressure.

P.S. You'll need a canister filter or a powerhead to run a reactor. You don't need either to run an in-tank Atomizer, though you do to run an inline Atomizer.

[Hcancino]

If you already have a powerhead that you aren't using then a reactor will be cheaper and if build it correctly it will be more effective than a diffuser. Look up Barr Venturi Reactor

[Aquarist14]

I'm close to ordering the fluval 406 canister filter. I also want to buy a Koralia nano 240 gph powerhead. But I sorta like the idea of the diffuser, it requires less work. Although I might have micro-bubbles I can diffuse those even better with the powerhead.

[KrazyFish]

Go with the reactor. You will hate the 7Up look of the diffuser.

A Fluval406 will work great with one attached inline.

[kevmo911]

With something as big as a 75g, you may want to use two reactors. There's no possibility of getting a bubble count with a single nv/bc - meaning you'll need a bps of higher than your eyes can count. Which itself doesn't mean you need two lines, but it means you'll have to rely on a drop checker and fish reactions, as well as plant growth and algae over time, to get your needle valve dialed in.

For a general reference, with a JBJ-style bubble counter, I was running 3-4 bps in a 30g tank, with water as the bc solution, using a Grigg reactor, to get a greenish-yellow color on my drop checker.

[Aquarist14]

With the use of a reactor, how much does it affect the flow of the canister?

[dantra]

If I'm not mistaken that depends on the length and width of the reactor.

[sundragon]

Originally Posted by Aquarist14

I'm close to ordering the fluval 406 canister filter. I also want to buy a Koralia nano 240 gph powerhead. But I sorta like the idea of the diffuser, it requires less work. Although I might have micro-bubbles I can diffuse those even better with the powerhead.

First hand experience - no micro bubbles with my inline atomic diffuser. You can see on the thread.

I have it on a Fluval 406 as well with a Hydor inline 300w heater.

I can post a video of the output if you want.

[oscarsx]

I've recently went with a diy reactor from having an atom diffuser... won't go back.

Sent from my DROID X2

[Aquarist14]

So I see that reactors are the way to go.

But, what are the downfalls with a glass in-tank diffuser?

My other main question is, What is an atomic diffuser? I really don't get what it is.

That would be unbelievable if you could post a video on this sundragon.

[Hcancino]

Originally Posted by Aquarist14

So I see that reactors are the way to go.

But, what are the downfalls with a glass in-tank diffuser?

My other main question is, What is an atomic diffuser? I really don't get what it is.

That would be unbelievable if you could post a video on this sundragon.

the only downfall to glass in tank diffusers are that they might not completely diffuse the CO2 and therefore some will be wasted. just go to youtube and type in atomic diffuser and you should be able to get some videos

[Doc7]

I used two inch PVC on an Eheim 2217 for my Rex-style diy Reactor and had to drill out the holes bigger in spraybar to slow down the flow in tank. Didn't see big losses when I used one that big.

Sent from my BlackBerry 9650 using Tapatalk

[150EH]

I use the Carbon Doser external reactor and it's very efficient on larger tanks, hidden under the stand, fully dissolves all the gasses before they can enter the tank, and never needs cleaning, plus I detected no reduced flow.

I think in line or in tank diffusers are fine for smaller tanks and I have never used one so I'm no authority on them but I know if you see bubbles the gas has not dissolved and they need to be cleaned.

This is my opinion on reactors, the simplest model is a RexGrigg reactor, a step up would be the Cerges reactor which is a RG with a wider housing and a center tube, and the ultimate reactor is the Carbon Doser which is a Cerges with foam half way up the center tube and pump to recirculate the water and break up all the gas before it call leave the reactor.

[sundragon]

Originally Posted by oscarsx

I've recently went with a diy reactor from having an atom diffuser... won't go back.

Sent from my DROID X2

Was it an inline or intank diffuser?