thanks for the help.
I have a similar but smaller setup (40G). Definitely one difuser (if you decide to go diffuser way). 2nd brings no value. Just be ready to see a full display side of micro CO2 bubbles. I found no way around it. I played with over the counter reactors in the sump compartment (ista mix) but they were always too loud after some time and never provided enough CO2. I ended up with an external filter in addition to sump and connected a diffuser to the outline of the filter. The outline goes into the sump (overflow part) through a few layers of filter flosses (so no microbubbles make it to the display section through sump pump). Some say those microbubbles of CO2 are beneficial to plants but I do not like the appearance. Regarding the number of pumps, I have 1 pump through a ball valve and T-fitting at level of nozzles but more flow is better.View attachment 1029057 I have a 65 gallon JBJ all in one that I plan to add CO2. I have two return pumps in the sump with 1/2 inch tubing. I think I have enough space to add the diffusers, but wondering if I’m missing anything. Would it work if I just put it one inline diffuser in or would I need two? I can also get a single return pump and put a Y on it although I might run out of space since it’s a 22 inch aquarium in height.
thanks for the help.
Thanks for the reply. Was the reason you didn’t just put the inline diffuser on the outline tubing of the return pump the bubbles in your display tank? Would you happen to have a picture of your setup. Did you go with a canister filter in addition to the sump filter?I have a similar but smaller setup (40G). Definitely one difuser (if you decide to go diffuser way). 2nd brings no value. Just be ready to see a full display side of micro CO2 bubbles. I found no way around it. I played with over the counter reactors in the sump compartment (ista mix) but they were always too loud after some time and never provided enough CO2. I ended up with an external filter in addition to sump and connected a diffuser to the outline of the filter. The outline goes into the sump (overflow part) through a few layers of filter flosses (so no microbubbles make it to the display section through sump pump). Some say those microbubbles of CO2 are beneficial to plants but I do not like the appearance. Regarding the number of pumps, I have 1 pump through a ball valve and T-fitting at level of nozzles but more flow is better.
Hope it helps.
I have tried that in both an all-in-one and cabinet sump and didn't have much luck. Whatever I tried, most of the bubbles seemed to go up rather than get sucked into the pump.Thank you all for your feedback. I’m wondering if I could throw in a diffuser right next to the return pumps and that might be the easiest route. It would help disperse the CO2 across the entire tank this way. Has anyone tried that?
@Mr.Shenanagins Sounds like I need to do some more research on these. Essentially, I could put this in the pump area, run the CO2 to the reactor, run the return pump tubing to the reactor to mix with the CO2 and then the outbound line would then go back to the tank? Am I understanding that correct? Do I need to buy a diffusor for inside the reactor? Does something like the below work?I have tried that in both an all-in-one and cabinet sump and didn't have much luck. Whatever I tried, most of the bubbles seemed to go up rather than get sucked into the pump.
I think the internal venturi @Mr.Shenanagins mentioned might be your best bet with an AIO.
Yup that’s the one. Simple and effective.i think this is the design: Tom Barr's DIY Internal Reactor w/venturi
Yes, I tried attaching diffuser in the sump and it will fill the display section with bubbles that you could barely see anything. I tried Tunze co2 reactor and was not able to tweak to have enough CO2 and not to have occasional burst of bubbles. I had Ista reactor (similar to the one listed by another person here) and same thing. Would either burst some bubbles or have a built up of CO2 and have no saturation after that. I did reactor myself but still was not able to tweak it and not to either lose flow significantly or have bubbles.Thanks for the reply. Was the reason you didn’t just put the inline diffuser on the outline tubing of the return pump the bubbles in your display tank? Would you happen to have a picture of your setup. Did you go with a canister filter in addition to the sump filter?
I appreciate you showing your setup. I don’t have a lot of extra room, so I’m trying to keep everything in the sump area. I’m now looking into creating something like the Rex reactor.Yes, I tried attaching diffuser in the sump and it will fill the display section with bubbles that you could barely see anything. I tried Tunze co2 reactor and was not able to tweak to have enough CO2 and not to have occasional burst of bubbles. I had Ista reactor (similar to the one listed by another person here) and same thing. Would either burst some bubbles or have a built up of CO2 and have no saturation after that. I did reactor myself but still was not able to tweak it and not to either lose flow significantly or have bubbles.
Below is how I have the pump and canister setup:
View attachment 1029129
View attachment 1029130
View attachment 1029131
The canister will take water out on left far corner of the display, on the outflow tube of Eheim there is a diffuser, and the outflow will go into far right corner of sump. All the micro bubbles will be trapped by filter floss in that sump column. Then the return pump from sump will return water into main compartment. I also have a Vortech MP10 on the low right front of the display just for changing some flow patterns. The pump in the sump has a straight up tube, then T-joint, 2 straight pieces into two L-elbows that came with the nozzles. This is probably not the best setup but I have zero CO2 bubbles in the display and everything is dead silent.
Internal means that the reactor is INSIDE the tank or sump. Attached is the one I made for my sump.Quick question that I was hoping you all could help me out with. When people talk about the DIY Venturi loop CO2 reactors, they often say external or internal. Does that mean external or internal to the tank? Silly question, but one I couldn’t find an answer to
Hoping it works works well. Did you just drill a hole into the intake of the pump and stick the tubing in there or is there a nipple in the pump you attach it to for the Venturi loop?I remade it using a viewtainer container but yeah works great. You should hit optimal levels pretty fast. Mine takes longer and I use more CO2 with an actual sump, the AIO is more efficient in terms of keeping CO2 in the water column
drilled a hole, very easy to do.Hoping it works works well. Did you just drill a hole into the intake of the pump and stick the tubing in there or is there a nipple in the pump you attach it to for the Venturi loop?