Ive searched and cant find it...how to diffuse a DIY Co2?

This seems relatively simple. However, what is the tube on the left and what preceeds it with the cord?

From the gas separator, the tubing can go to a number of options: powerhead, filter intake, air stone, or an actual diffuser. A cheap CO2 diffuser from ebay will cost you less than 10 bucks with shipping. I was hesitant about using one with a DIY system due to concerns about pressure, but the cheap plastic/ceramic diffuser i bought off ebay worked just fine after enough pressure built up.

The cord to the unit is a power head. The Silicon tubing goes directly into a drill-out size hole into the Reactor. Notice the tiny hole, look at it carefully. It overlaps the power head and goes into the Reactor. From there, the gas just sucked all over which then the power head picks it up and shoots it out.

I was under the assumption I could go right from the 2L bottle to the diffuser, with a check valve inline. Can the tube go directly into a powerhead or into the filter basket in my AC50.

I seen DIY Co2 Yeast system go from a single 2L botter to a Power head/Filter. As long as the Yeast Fermentation doesn't rise too high and out the cap where the tubing goes through then that's fine.

People use two 2L bottles to prolong the life of the yeast mixture. Another added 12oz bottle is used for gas exchanges as pictured above. Only the co2 gas will be here in and will exit directly out from the tubing straight to reactor or a powerhead/filter.

There are different ways to go about this. All will work fine.

Can I go right from the bottle to a Hagen/Nutrafin Ladder diffuser?

I take it you can, I'm not familiar with that setup ladder but I have seen fish shop used them. And that's all the co2 gas goes through. Not sure how efficient that ladder goes as far as diffusing co2 gas.

Not sure myself. Gonna try it though. Is there a way to measure the Co2 in your tank? Other than the health of your fish...

we4wieners said:

Can I go right from the bottle to a Hagen/Nutrafin Ladder diffuser?

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You can but, you still at least, want the check valves. With the check valves in place, water from the aquarium can't back up into the 2 liter bottles when the CO2 pressure drops.

I have a check valve. I was also suggested to use a syringe along with the check valve... http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/...cts/14453-diy-co2-guide-pictures-recipes.html

as far as i can tell, that syringe does what the gas separator does - it keeps any of the muck that accidentally enters the line (from shaking, or dropping, or knocking over, etc.) from ending up in your tank. it ends up in the 2nd bottle instead. it's honestly nothing to stress out about - it's an easy, cheap, fast setup.

kevmo911 said:

as far as i can tell, that syringe does what the gas separator does - it keeps any of the muck that accidentally enters the line (from shaking, or dropping, or knocking over, etc.) from ending up in your tank. it ends up in the 2nd bottle instead. it's honestly nothing to stress out about - it's an easy, cheap, fast setup.

Click to expand...

Cool, Thanks !!!