Reactor issue or just need more CO2?

1423 Views 14 Replies 7 Participants Last post by tazcrash69, Mar 13, 2007

Jessica

Discussion Starter · Mar 12, 2007

I'm wondering if I need a 'more powerful' reactor to push the CO2 into my tank. I have about 4 bubbles per second cranking and am still not "in the green" compared to the charts and calculators.

Some info:

125g

pH: w/o CO2: 7.8 - With 4 bubbles per second: 7.3-7.4
kH: roughly 7 degrees
gH: roughly 16 degrees (what is that... 175 ppm? roughly?)

My photoperiod for my lighting is about 12 hours; 4x96watt power compacts.
20# cylinder w/ "Complete Ultimate CO2 System" from Aquarium Plants.com

My reactor is pumped with a Rio --- looks like this (in the little collage from the site)

The surface tension is slight, there is little no breakage.

So I'm wondering if my reactor is just not hammering it out "correctly"/efficiently (?) or if I just need to go gangbusters with more bubbles per second.

Or perhaps I'm completely misunderstanding something, which is entirely possible

any ideas?

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1 - 15 of 15 Posts

turbowagon

· #2 · Mar 12, 2007

Increase your bubble rate.

Jessica

Discussion Starter · #3 · Mar 12, 2007

That's what I was thinking too. Thanks for the advice

Rex Grigg

· #4 · Mar 12, 2007

For a 125 gallon tank it really helps to inject CO2 at two points in the aquarium. Also if you are using that blue silicone tubing you are losing a lot of CO2 through the tubing.

Jessica

Discussion Starter · #5 · Mar 12, 2007

*goes to the Rex Grigg site to look for tubing*

2wheelsx2

· #6 · Mar 12, 2007

Yep, what Rex said. I've just ordered an ultra mini manifold (from Rex) to use with two diffusors at either end of my 125 gallon. My experiments with a single diffusor and DIY CO2 has shown that the CO2 just doesn't get to the other side of the tank.

BTW, Rex's stuff is worth every penny. I've paid for lots of stuff I don't use or don't like in this hobby, but none of it has been Rex's.

Standard disclaimer: I have no affiliation nor do I make any money from endorsing rexgrigg.com. I just happen to use and like the products.

Jessica

Discussion Starter · #7 · Mar 12, 2007

2wheelsx2 said:
Standard disclaimer: I have no affiliation nor do I make any money from endorsing rexgrigg.com. I just happen to use and like the products.

Haha! That's awesome.

I know Rex knows his stuff. I'll definitely look into his stuff.

Thank you for your input!

tazcrash69

· #8 · Mar 13, 2007

FWIW, I am running about 7 BPS ( no I don't count that fast. A Milwaukee regulator split using a mini manifold from Rex each running about 3-4 BPS) , into 2 reacotrs on either end of my 125. I'd actually like to get more in there, but I think I am at the limit of what my reactors (2 X AM1000s) are capable of handling since my reactors develop large gas pockets during the day.
my water is similar to yours kH 8, gh ~18

Rex Grigg

· #9 · Mar 13, 2007

tazcrash69 said:
FWIW, I am running about 7 BPS ( no I don't count that fast. A Milwaukee regulator split using a mini manifold from Rex each running about 3-4 BPS) , into 2 reacotrs on either end of my 125. I'd actually like to get more in there, but I think I am at the limit of what my reactors (2 X AM1000s) are capable of handling since my reactors develop large gas pockets during the day.
my water is similar to yours kH 8, gh ~18

Time to build some DIY PVC reactors.

I just built six on Saturday. Kind of got carried away working with the PVC. Now I have to wonder what I'm going to do with five reactors since I only needed to build one.

tazcrash69

· #10 · Mar 13, 2007

Rex Grigg said:
Time to build some DIY PVC reactors.

Yea, I know. I just need the time to pick up the PVC tube (I already have the barbs, and ends), and the time to assemble.

kzr750r1

· #11 · Mar 13, 2007

With higher bubble count my PVC reactor was having a gas pocket issue as well. Plus I have decreased my over all flow from the filter, not just the reactors fault either. I opened up the spray bar holes as well...Your mechanical unit may have a limit too...

Till I have time for a plumbing rebuild an additional mechanical reactor was added. Took an old Fuval #1 and added a hole in the bottom for a CO2 feed.
Using a T off the bubble counter Both reactors now mix the CO2 well enough to change the PH from 6.6 to 6.0 in one photo period and an evening. I didn't want to wake up to gassed out fish so at that rate I decided to put the CO2 solenoid on the timer...Well see how it goes.

At some point I was running into dead spots so adding the additional pump at the other end hopefully will solve that for the time being.

Now this in a 4' 55g tank, may not seem like much. But when there is allot of wood and bio mass the currents are reduced. So in all if you can increase your flow throughout the tank things will improve for you.

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Jessica

Discussion Starter · #12 · Mar 13, 2007

Great input everyone, I appreciate it.

Sounds like it's time to get another reactor. I'm trying to decide if I'm happy with the one I have already. It has a huge gas pocket/bubble that just hobbles there at the bottom/mouth of the reactor. Seems like a major waste to me!

LS6 Tommy

· #13 · Mar 13, 2007

Jessica said:
Great input everyone, I appreciate it.

Sounds like it's time to get another reactor. I'm trying to decide if I'm happy with the one I have already. It has a huge gas pocket/bubble that just hobbles there at the bottom/mouth of the reactor. Seems like a major waste to me!

I may be wrong, but it seems to me that if it's not "burping" the gas out, it isn't being wasted. It'll eventually absorb.

Tommy

2wheelsx2

· #14 · Mar 13, 2007

Rex Grigg said:
Time to build some DIY PVC reactors.

I just built six on Saturday. Kind of got carried away working with the PVC. Now I have to wonder what I'm going to do with five reactors since I only needed to build one.

Dang, if I had known, I would have asked you to ship one with the stuff I ordered from you recently. Oh well.

tazcrash69

· #15 · Mar 13, 2007

LS6 Tommy said:
I may be wrong, but it seems to me that if it's not "burping" the gas out, it isn't being wasted. It'll eventually absorb.

Tommy

The problem for me is that it will eventually absorb when the lights are out and the solenoid has turned off the CO2, so it is a waste, and potentially harmful to the inhabitants.
The bigger problem is not being able to get the levels as high as I should get them when the lights are on.

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