if money was no objection, which is your choice?
I already have one of the better co2 reactors on the market, however, I find the setting up (tubing) is quite a hassle due to the fact that it needs a pump to run it. initially, I hooked it up to filter output, but now I'm going to move it to chiller output. but I think the tubing is a real hassle when you take the filter or chiller for maintenance and want to clean up the hoses as well.
I'm beginning to find the glass spiral type of diffusors extreme attractive now due to ease of maintenance.. (ie: just bleach, won't clog)...
An external reactor for sure. Response time is very fast with those high flow units.
Chris, why not run it using an individual powerhead instead. I run mine off a maxi-jet 900 (235gph) hooked up to the light timer. The Aqua Medic Reactor 1000 is a pretty good reactor in my opinion. If only we can get the pvc reducers easily in singapore, DIY is better. (I haven't had much luck getting those 2" - 0.5" reducers and 0.5"- 1/4" barbs.).
Regards
Peter Gwee
The choice would also very much depends on the size of tank. i believe for tanks larger than 4ft, one will need a reactor to acheive maximum CO2 dissolve rate. as fer smaller tanks, the spiral diffusor shld do the trick.... and for even lesser maintenance, those ceramic types (like airstone) shld be just fine.....
yeah, the thing is, I would then have chiller pipes and filter pipes AND co2 pipes..
Money is the problem for me basically when considering a reactor. Not to mention the hassle and pipes and all that too. However, if money isn't a problem, of course I'll go with a reactor.
The ceramic diffusor is a more practical choice for me now
[quote:c13faaade2="|squee|"]Money is the problem for me basically when considering a reactor. Not to mention the hassle and pipes and all that too. However, if money isn't a problem, of course I'll go with a reactor.
The ceramic diffusor is a more practical choice for me now
If you DIY your own reactor, you may be surprised that there are little diff in cost when you compare the 2.
anyway, I resolved the issue. just wired it up to my chiller anyway.
[quote:d9891aaf16="Nicky"]
If you DIY your own reactor, you may be surprised that there are little diff in cost when you compare the 2.[/quote:d9891aaf16]
:P I'm not really a handy person, and the size numbering systems and all that are greek to me. I'm not sure that my fliter's flow rate is fast enough too... so
I've used interenal and external reactors as well as diffusors. I find the internal reactor to be the least trouble some. Especially if you have two. Just replace the dirty one while you soak the soiled one in very hot water.
Diffusors are more suitable for smaller tanks up to 2 ft in size for asthetic reasons.
Cheers,
I have dwarf cichlids in my tanks! Do you?
i vote reactor..
my planted tank is a small 12\"x7\"x10\"(height)
I vote for reactor, although it is quite troublesome to set up
as Benny has said.
For internal reactor, it will get dirty overtime and is a chore to clean it
External reactor is better, however, the fear for leakage there.
To get the best of both world, use both.
One at each end. That's what i think.
Cheers
My vote goes to diffuser. I just love the look of my ADA beetle
ThEoDoRe
Reactor for me. Don't think they will ever get choked. Dirty also never mind since it is hidden behind the plants (mine is the 3 ball internal type). Negligible maintenance.Originally Posted by benny
koah fong
Juggler's tanks
Internal reactor for me as I don't have to worry about water leakage problem.
Since we are on this topic, will it be better for large tank (eg 5/6ft) to have 2 CO2 injection points (2 ext reactors connected to 2 ext filters with one CO2 sys using a 2way spliter which can get from NA).
I think in theory, this will dissolve CO2 faster and better distribution around the tank.
we can also clean one filter without affecting BB on the other.
Anyone got such setup and share your experience.
Reactor vs Diffuser
A few thoughts:
I think the idea of having two inlets is very good for a big tank (>5ft)!
One thing that I am unsure, since the plants take in dissolved CO2 in the water, isn't reactors the best since they allow the CO2 to dissolve more thoroughly then diffusers? The latter only makes ultra fine bubbles of CO2 to increase the rate of dissolving? Ultimately its the dissoled CO2 that counts right?
If that is the case, reactors are definitely better? I can introduce 1bps yet the rate of dissolving still allows CO2 to accumulate in the reactor, until they can dissolve into the water. So actually I save on CO2, is it? No point pumping so much CO2 into the water when theres only so much it can take? Since the plants also take in those that are dissolved in the water?
Any advice?
Yes Lemonz, a reactor is definately better, and allows for lower bubble count and higher/faster saturation of C02.
Hi Lemonz,
This is exactly what happen when i switch from diffusor to reactor. When i was using diffusor, i set it at about 4 bubble per sec and getting a pH of 6.5, after switch to reactor and with the same bubble count, pH down to about 6.0. Therefore, we need to make fine adjustment to CO2 injection.
Using chiller will also have a lower pH with the same amount of CO2 injection as compare to a tank without chiller.
reactor better. minimal loss of co2 => means co2 can last longer => means less frequent to carry the heavy cylinder for top up
+ no maintenance at all (at least to me)
Resistance is futile, you will be administrated!
You don't need 2 reactors... one reactor is efficient enough. But you need to split out the return to the tank. I'm running a 6 foot tank with the following setup.
+-> tank left side
|
splitter <- chiller <- reactor <- filter <- tank
|
+-> tank right side
You don't need to worry about extra CO2 equipment, (CO2) splitters, etc.
Vincent - AQ is for everyone, but not for 'u' and 'mi'.
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A woman: without her, man is nothing.
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