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Thread: Diffusor or Reactor?

  1. #1
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    Diffusor or Reactor?

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    Which one is more efficient? It seems like when using the diffusor, the bubbles still reach the surface of the water. But according to the Amano magazine, the air that reaches the surface is no longer carbon dioxide but waste gases.

    In the case of the reactor, all the air seems to be dissolved.

    So which one better? Or are they the same?
    "For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for nature cannot be fooled" - Richard Feynman, 1986. Rogers commission into the Challenger disaster

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    it will oso depend on the quality of the diffuser u using.. if u look at the ceramic portion of any diffuser, and the size of bubble produce from it.. example: the ADA pollen glass produce very fine bubbles

    as for reactors, the mixing will dissolve C02 better?

    gotta test both out and see the result, overall for me, not much diff.

    cheers

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    i think reactors dissolve the CO2 faster also... I've used both and when i test pH after the CO2 has been on for a while.. when i use the reactor it's always more CO2... and CO2 not wasted... my plants bubble much more wen i use the reactor....

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    I think if you compare a diffuser and a reactor of similar price, the diffuser will seem more attractive and works better.

    Apart from the ADA pollen glass that Simon mentioned, another good value for money diffuser is the one sold at the Taiwan shop. Cost only about $40 plus. The bubbles produce are quite fine. [:]

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    Just some thoughts.

    Using diffuser, the distance for bubble to travel is depth of tank, maybe ~20".
    Using reactor, 1 revolution in a 2" diameter is ~6". If more that 4 revs, then CO2 will be in water longer.
    Also, maybe CO2 conc surrounding the diffuser is slightly higher so absorption is slower. Whereas in the reactor, 'depleted CO2' water is passing through all the time.

    I have never used either, just DIY CO2 into an airstone. In the process of DIY reactor. Hope it works!
    thomas liew

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    also... if you have surface scum but no skimmer... then the bubbles from the diffuser will get stuck and will be very ugly...

  7. #7
    I would go for a reactor as the dissolve rate is much better than a diffuser.

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    there are people who have tried both
    not me, i'm always into diffusors
    the main feedback from them is that the reactor tends to slow down with time, and the co2 dissolution rate getting to be very bad
    with diffusors you can clean them with bleach easily (especially the eheim models)
    reactors i haven't tried

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    Efficiency wise.... reactor would be the answer.

    Which is better it would dependes on personal preference. Reactor is big, ugly and bulky. Diffussor looks nice, small and professional but not as efficient as reactor of the same price.

    I'm presently using the taiwanese reactor (the green one) but intend to switch to the ADA glass diffuser.
    Cheers!!

    Sherwin Choo
    [email protected]

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    ----------------
    On 12/22/2001 12:26:49 AM

    I'm presently using the taiwanese reactor (the green one) but intend to switch to the ADA glass diffuser.
    ----------------
    aren't we all []

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    the major disadvantage of using a reactor is the size, difficult to hide and its an algae collection point

    the other way is a mixer, an external reactor, out of sight

    but ADA nice []

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    I think it depends on your size of your tank. A diffusor I think would work well with a small tank 2ft and smaller, not good for larger tanks as the CO2 dissolution is localised and requires some time to be uniform in the tank. For reactors they are better with larger tanks. As mentioned by fellow forumers, the reactor is hard to hide and collection of algae... The diffusor gets stuck very often, reducing its efficiency.

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    my diffusor in my 2ft tank has never been cleaned once
    however, the one in my 4ft has had to be cleaned out twice
    i'd surmise it depends on your tank conditions as well (algae or not)

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    Hi people,

    Talking about CO2 thingy, has anyone used the electrolysis CO2 generator?

    I saw this device about a year back in one of the fish expo... it was ang moh selling (think made in Germany)... very ex... think it was a few hundred S$.
    Last week i went to a big fish shop in JB and they offer me the same product but made in Taiwan and they quoted me RM100.

    the device has 2 parts, a power supply where u can control the power output (=bubble rate), and the electrodes which is submersed, about 10x5cm and 1cm thick. Now after long while, the electrodes will be used up and needs to be replaced.

    Dont know if this device actually increase temperature, or have any other negative impact.

    does anyone got any experience with this?

    BTW, good job on this great sites, guys!

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    in the long run, cylinder is cheaper but more troublesome..

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    the thing you're talking about is probably the carbo-plus system
    a few things were brought up about it IIRC

    the size
    the length of time it can be used for
    cost
    mechanism, especially in softwater

    the overall conclusion was that cylinder co2 would have been a better investment

  17. #17
    Just wonder can someone post some pics on the reactor and diffuser ?

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    this is how a dennerle reactor looks like


    a ADA diffuser

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    Wah! The ADA diffuser looks cool.
    Available in Sin?

    Anyway can't use it as I am using DIY.
    thomas liew

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    ----------------
    On 12/22/2001 8:50:55 AM

    Wah! The ADA diffuser looks cool.
    Available in Sin?

    Anyway can't use it as I am using DIY.
    ----------------
    yes

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