Easy CO2 reactor

cich · 08-19-2003, 06:16 PM

I have an Aquaclear Mini (2 actually) laying around unused, and I was thinking, why not turn it into a CO2 reactor! I'm planning on drilling the intake tube just before the impeller, and the air hose can go there, and fill the media area with bio-balls or whatever slows the rising of the bubbles.

Let me know what you guys think of this idea!

--cich

Saluki · 08-19-2003, 06:27 PM

Why not just fill it with sponges. In this configuration, it will provide excellent mechanical, biological and do the job of the reactor.

cich · 08-19-2003, 06:29 PM

good point

Some times I get obsessed with doing different things.

I'm also wondering.... Will all that CO2 harm the bio-filtration at all, or am I worrying too much?

--cich

Saluki · 08-19-2003, 06:49 PM

It shouldnt. People use filters for DIY CO2 reactors all of the time.

I run my DIY CO2 into the intake of my Eheim 2233. I never detect any ammonia or nitrites, and the tank is not so heavily planted that the plants would use up all available nutrients.

**GulfCoastAquarian** · 08-19-2003, 08:08 PM

This is a fine idea if you're using pressurized CO2. But if you're using Yeast-Generated CO2, then the filter will exert negative pressure on the Yeast/Sugar mix (venturi effect) and will most likely end up pulling the nasty mix into the tank.

Saluki · 08-19-2003, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GulfCoastAquarian

This is a fine idea if you're using pressurized CO2. But if you're using Yeast-Generated CO2, then the filter will exert negative pressure on the Yeast/Sugar mix (venturi effect) and will most likely end up pulling the nasty mix into the tank.

I have never had that problem, and I have always used filters as my difussers. The venturi effect is just not that strong.

**GulfCoastAquarian** · 08-19-2003, 09:24 PM

Hmmm, it has happened to me a few times. And I didn't even plumb the hose right before the impeller, where the suction is strongest. This is just with the tube near the filter intake. I think my Aquaclears are a little too strong for my tanks, though.

Saluki · 08-19-2003, 10:11 PM

How full were your bottles? There is a good 3 or 4 inches of air space above my yeast/sugar/water mixture in my generation botles. The suction would literally have to be strong enough to collapse the bottle material to bring the water level anywhere near the end of the air tube that goes in through the bottle cap.

cich · 08-19-2003, 10:41 PM

As a general rule I never fill my 2-liter bottles more than half full to prevent such an event.

--cich

**KyleT** · 08-20-2003, 01:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GulfCoastAquarian

This is a fine idea if you're using pressurized CO2. But if you're using Yeast-Generated CO2, then the filter will exert negative pressure on the Yeast/Sugar mix (venturi effect) and will most likely end up pulling the nasty mix into the tank.

I don't think the mini is strong enough to do that Sam, so long as the bottle isn't almost completely filled that is. I have been running this exact set up on my 10 Gallon for just over 1/2 year now and so far everything has been doing just fine. *crosses fingers and knocks on wood*

Kyle

Wasserpest · 08-20-2003, 04:33 PM

From what I read esp on the Krib collapsing soda bottles do happen, and it won't really be affected by the fill levels of the plastic bottles.

I would not place the CO2 outlet close to the impeller. Especially if you are using additional filter sponges, when they get dirty the vacuum inside the pump increases and soon you might have a big mess on your hands.

Make sure the pressure of the CO2 mix pushes the bubbles out of the air tubing, and then direct them to the impeller.

Just as Sam said...

skzzle · 01-07-2004, 03:50 AM

About 5 years ago i was using DIY yeast co2 injection and using my canister filter as the reactor and things when to hell. I had cats and they loved my tank. I'm sure some of you see where this is going. Anyhow, "somehow" my yeast bottle was knocked upside down, needless to say, when I came home from my 3 day vacation, my entire 55 gallon tank was a white cloud and most of my fish were either belly up or gasping for oxygen. I think I lost about 85% of everything because of that. I had to start completely over. I will never go back to yeast.

malkore · 01-07-2004, 02:57 PM

Just use glass juice jugs for the yeast solution...then it cannot collapse.

Rolo · 01-07-2004, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cich

good point
Some times I get obsessed with doing different things.

I'm also wondering.... Will all that CO2 harm the bio-filtration at all, or am I worrying too much?

--cich.

I opened a post on this a week ago...my conclusion is kinda long so if you want the short answer, no.

http://www.plantedtank.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4098 (5th one down).

Raul-7 · 01-08-2004, 02:43 PM

Would this method of diffusion work on big tanks(50g-100g) too?

08-19-2003, 08:08 PM	#5
GulfCoastAquarian Planted Tank VIP (View User Tanks) PTrader: (6/100%) Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Winston-Salem, NC Posts: 3,577	This is a fine idea if you're using pressurized CO2. But if you're using Yeast-Generated CO2, then the filter will exert negative pressure on the Yeast/Sugar mix (venturi effect) and will most likely end up pulling the nasty mix into the tank. __________________ - Sam P - plantedtanker in limbo - all tanks currently in storage

08-19-2003, 09:24 PM	#7
GulfCoastAquarian Planted Tank VIP (View User Tanks) PTrader: (6/100%) Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Winston-Salem, NC Posts: 3,577	Hmmm, it has happened to me a few times. And I didn't even plumb the hose right before the impeller, where the suction is strongest. This is just with the tube near the filter intake. I think my Aquaclears are a little too strong for my tanks, though. __________________ - Sam P - plantedtanker in limbo - all tanks currently in storage

08-20-2003, 04:33 PM	#11
Wasserpest Are these real? (View User Tanks) PTrader: (140/100%) Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Monterey, CA Posts: 14,643	From what I read esp on the Krib collapsing soda bottles do happen, and it won't really be affected by the fill levels of the plastic bottles. I would not place the CO2 outlet close to the impeller. Especially if you are using additional filter sponges, when they get dirty the vacuum inside the pump increases and soon you might have a big mess on your hands. Make sure the pressure of the CO2 mix pushes the bubbles out of the air tubing, and then direct them to the impeller. Just as Sam said... __________________ All my tanks Autodosing Water Change Temperature Monitoring Cheap Filter The Wasser-Controller

01-07-2004, 02:57 PM	#13
malkore Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lincoln, NE Posts: 2,165	Just use glass juice jugs for the yeast solution...then it cannot collapse. __________________ Malkore Filstar XP2 PIMP #3 Visit my aquarium pages - see specs on my tanks, and photos of how they've evolved

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08-19-2003, 06:16 PM	#1
cich Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Kelowna, BC, Canada Posts: 1,062	I have an Aquaclear Mini (2 actually) laying around unused, and I was thinking, why not turn it into a CO2 reactor! I'm planning on drilling the intake tube just before the impeller, and the air hose can go there, and fill the media area with bio-balls or whatever slows the rising of the bubbles. Let me know what you guys think of this idea! --cich

08-19-2003, 06:27 PM	#2
Saluki Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Springfield, Illinois, USA Posts: 70	Why not just fill it with sponges. In this configuration, it will provide excellent mechanical, biological and do the job of the reactor.

08-19-2003, 06:29 PM	#3
cich Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Kelowna, BC, Canada Posts: 1,062	good point Some times I get obsessed with doing different things. I'm also wondering.... Will all that CO2 harm the bio-filtration at all, or am I worrying too much? --cich

08-19-2003, 06:49 PM	#4
Saluki Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Springfield, Illinois, USA Posts: 70	It shouldnt. People use filters for DIY CO2 reactors all of the time. I run my DIY CO2 into the intake of my Eheim 2233. I never detect any ammonia or nitrites, and the tank is not so heavily planted that the plants would use up all available nutrients.

08-19-2003, 10:11 PM	#8
Saluki Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Springfield, Illinois, USA Posts: 70	How full were your bottles? There is a good 3 or 4 inches of air space above my yeast/sugar/water mixture in my generation botles. The suction would literally have to be strong enough to collapse the bottle material to bring the water level anywhere near the end of the air tube that goes in through the bottle cap.

08-19-2003, 10:41 PM	#9
cich Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Kelowna, BC, Canada Posts: 1,062	As a general rule I never fill my 2-liter bottles more than half full to prevent such an event. --cich

01-07-2004, 03:50 AM	#12
skzzle Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Lansing, MI Posts: 13	About 5 years ago i was using DIY yeast co2 injection and using my canister filter as the reactor and things when to hell. I had cats and they loved my tank. I'm sure some of you see where this is going. Anyhow, "somehow" my yeast bottle was knocked upside down, needless to say, when I came home from my 3 day vacation, my entire 55 gallon tank was a white cloud and most of my fish were either belly up or gasping for oxygen. I think I lost about 85% of everything because of that. I had to start completely over. I will never go back to yeast.

01-08-2004, 02:43 PM	#15
Raul-7 Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4/100%) Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Lomita, CA Posts: 1,650	Would this method of diffusion work on big tanks(50g-100g) too?

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