CO2 Diffuser

Cthulhu · 01-07-2013, 04:25 PM

I'm looking to buy a CO2 diffuser. Inline ones seem the best option. It will be used with a Eheim 2217 filter.
This is my first time into CO2 so I really have no idea how to judge the quality of the diffusers I see.
Basically, here are the choices I find on ebay and elsewhere.
(random non-ebay links to show the products I'm talking about)

UP Aqua CO2 Atomizer
http://bestbuyproducts.pusku.com/201...omizer-system/

Ista Max Mix Co2 Reactor
http://www.aquabuys.com/p/ista-max-m...or-medium.html

ISTA External CO2 Ceramic Reactor Diffuser 16/22mm for aquarium plants Spiral
http://www.aquarist-classifieds.co.u...131231037.html

There is also this more expensive one from Aqua Medic
http://www.petsandponds.com/en/aquar...p17652800.html

Or do you have other suggestions?

I don't mind paying more for better quality to avoid problems.

zico_aqua · 01-07-2013, 04:41 PM

I have been using Upaqua for over a couple of years now, never seemed to give me a problem ever. The CO2 enters the tank literally 100% diffused. Can't comment on the others - haven't used them before

**bababooey** · 01-07-2013, 04:52 PM

build a cerges reactor. cheaper or the same cost as most ceramic diffusers, more efficient, and no 7up from misting. i have one hooked up to my 2217 right now and couldn't be happier from the results.

Cthulhu · 01-07-2013, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bababooey

build a cerges reactor. cheaper or the same cost as most ceramic diffusers, more efficient, and no 7up from misting. i have one hooked up to my 2217 right now and couldn't be happier from the results.

oh wow, I just looked it up and that seems great and not too hard to build!

watercage · 01-07-2013, 06:01 PM

I just put a Cerges on my 2217

I bought everthing, minus check valve, from Home Depot for around $30.00

I splurged a bit and bought the Dennerle Check Valve, mostly for piece of mind. That alone was $30, but alot of people use cheapy valves for a few bucks.

Cthulhu · 01-08-2013, 08:51 PM

I suppose a cerges reactor will reduce the flow of the filter? How much?
If it's too much I guess I could use another pump for it. What would be the minimum flow required?

I looked for a suitable water filter to build a cerges but couldn't find anything with a reasonnable price. So I think I'll build it all myself. I'd use PVC pipe and drill holes for the fittings and make sure the whole thing is perfectly sealed.
What is a good size? I'm thinking 4" PVC pipe and 1' high, would that be ok?
If I have trouble finding the right size PVC parts, would ABS be ok? I know ABS is an absolute no for saltwater, but I'm not sure for freshwater.

watercage · 01-08-2013, 10:19 PM

I didnt notice any significant flow decrease on mine.

FYI, your return hoses are 1/2"

Im not sure how you could make a Cerges out of PVC because of how these water filters are designed to send the water into the housing and shoot it up the tube. You'd need to somehow have the 2 stages in the PVC. Sounds like your idea is just an inline diffuser, which works, but isnt as efficient as the Cerges.

Cthulhu · 01-08-2013, 10:43 PM

I don't see what a water filter has that can't be achieved with PVC tubing.

I'll make a 1' high cylinder made of 4" PVC, but not cap the top yet.
Near the top I drill holes on opposite sides and insert fittings.
The fitting one side is the intake and stops there.
The fitting on the other side is the exit. It extents to the middle of the cylinder, then a 90 degree elbow, and a tube that goes down to about 1' of the bottom.
The CO2 intake is inserted in the lid
And everything is sealed in place.

Don't you think it does exactly the same as this?
http://aquascapes.info/forums/?page=...E-5351A2CE0DA2

teaklejr · 01-09-2013, 06:50 PM

I made a reactor out of PVC also. I believe the tube is about 2 feet tall and 2 inches around I think. Water goes in the top co2 comes in the side of tube a few inches below the top and flows out the bottom. I have an external pump that runs it. I will get a picture when I get home.

Cthulhu · 01-09-2013, 07:36 PM

Other people who have a cerges reactor, what are the dimensions?

sactown9 · 03-29-2013, 03:39 AM

Which CO2 Diffuser did you decide on? I currently have the Ista Max Mix and I'm not really happy with it. I'm considering the ISTA External CO2 Ceramic Reactor Diffuser 16/22mm for aquarium plants Spiral.

mwuf15 · 03-29-2013, 05:43 AM

i was thinking of building one. what size inlet/outlet on the filter housing should i get. i have seen 1/2", 1/4", 3/4",3/8" but don't know which one is a good size to use.

gSTiTcH · 03-29-2013, 05:31 PM

I built a Rex Griggs style reactor out of 1 1/2" PVC. It works OK, but I have identified a few design flaws that I will be correcting soon in v2. First, I'm going to 2" PVC. Second, I'm incorporating a mount that will keep it perfectly straight.

01-07-2013, 04:25 PM	#1
Cthulhu Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Montreal Posts: 138	CO2 Diffuser I'm looking to buy a CO2 diffuser. Inline ones seem the best option. It will be used with a Eheim 2217 filter. This is my first time into CO2 so I really have no idea how to judge the quality of the diffusers I see. Basically, here are the choices I find on ebay and elsewhere. (random non-ebay links to show the products I'm talking about) UP Aqua CO2 Atomizer http://bestbuyproducts.pusku.com/201...omizer-system/ Ista Max Mix Co2 Reactor http://www.aquabuys.com/p/ista-max-m...or-medium.html ISTA External CO2 Ceramic Reactor Diffuser 16/22mm for aquarium plants Spiral http://www.aquarist-classifieds.co.u...131231037.html There is also this more expensive one from Aqua Medic http://www.petsandponds.com/en/aquar...p17652800.html Or do you have other suggestions? I don't mind paying more for better quality to avoid problems.

01-07-2013, 04:41 PM	#2
zico_aqua Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: India Posts: 140	I have been using Upaqua for over a couple of years now, never seemed to give me a problem ever. The CO2 enters the tank literally 100% diffused. Can't comment on the others - haven't used them before __________________ Abhradip Choudhuri Good judgement comes from experience, and experience comes from bad judgement. Few of my works

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01-07-2013, 04:52 PM	#3
bababooey ba - ba - BOOEY (View User Tanks) PTrader: (21/100%) Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 142	build a cerges reactor. cheaper or the same cost as most ceramic diffusers, more efficient, and no 7up from misting. i have one hooked up to my 2217 right now and couldn't be happier from the results.

01-07-2013, 06:01 PM	#5
watercage Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Phila Suburbs Posts: 117	I just put a Cerges on my 2217 I bought everthing, minus check valve, from Home Depot for around $30.00 I splurged a bit and bought the Dennerle Check Valve, mostly for piece of mind. That alone was $30, but alot of people use cheapy valves for a few bucks.

01-08-2013, 08:51 PM	#6
Cthulhu Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Montreal Posts: 138	I suppose a cerges reactor will reduce the flow of the filter? How much? If it's too much I guess I could use another pump for it. What would be the minimum flow required? I looked for a suitable water filter to build a cerges but couldn't find anything with a reasonnable price. So I think I'll build it all myself. I'd use PVC pipe and drill holes for the fittings and make sure the whole thing is perfectly sealed. What is a good size? I'm thinking 4" PVC pipe and 1' high, would that be ok? If I have trouble finding the right size PVC parts, would ABS be ok? I know ABS is an absolute no for saltwater, but I'm not sure for freshwater.

01-08-2013, 10:19 PM	#7
watercage Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Phila Suburbs Posts: 117	I didnt notice any significant flow decrease on mine. FYI, your return hoses are 1/2" Im not sure how you could make a Cerges out of PVC because of how these water filters are designed to send the water into the housing and shoot it up the tube. You'd need to somehow have the 2 stages in the PVC. Sounds like your idea is just an inline diffuser, which works, but isnt as efficient as the Cerges.

01-08-2013, 10:43 PM	#8
Cthulhu Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Montreal Posts: 138	I don't see what a water filter has that can't be achieved with PVC tubing. I'll make a 1' high cylinder made of 4" PVC, but not cap the top yet. Near the top I drill holes on opposite sides and insert fittings. The fitting one side is the intake and stops there. The fitting on the other side is the exit. It extents to the middle of the cylinder, then a 90 degree elbow, and a tube that goes down to about 1' of the bottom. The CO2 intake is inserted in the lid And everything is sealed in place. Don't you think it does exactly the same as this? http://aquascapes.info/forums/?page=...E-5351A2CE0DA2

01-09-2013, 06:50 PM	#9
teaklejr Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Sykesville, MD Posts: 12	I made a reactor out of PVC also. I believe the tube is about 2 feet tall and 2 inches around I think. Water goes in the top co2 comes in the side of tube a few inches below the top and flows out the bottom. I have an external pump that runs it. I will get a picture when I get home.

01-09-2013, 07:36 PM	#10
Cthulhu Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Montreal Posts: 138	Other people who have a cerges reactor, what are the dimensions?

03-29-2013, 03:39 AM	#11
sactown9 Newbie (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: sacramento, ca Posts: 1	Which CO2 Diffuser did you decide on? I currently have the Ista Max Mix and I'm not really happy with it. I'm considering the ISTA External CO2 Ceramic Reactor Diffuser 16/22mm for aquarium plants Spiral.

03-29-2013, 05:43 AM	#12
mwuf15 Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (13/100%) Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: sf Posts: 234	i was thinking of building one. what size inlet/outlet on the filter housing should i get. i have seen 1/2", 1/4", 3/4",3/8" but don't know which one is a good size to use.

03-29-2013, 05:31 PM	#13
gSTiTcH Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 334	I built a Rex Griggs style reactor out of 1 1/2" PVC. It works OK, but I have identified a few design flaws that I will be correcting soon in v2. First, I'm going to 2" PVC. Second, I'm incorporating a mount that will keep it perfectly straight.