Ceramic Diffuser vs Internal Reactor

[R&L]

Hi, i have read a few threads here on using creamic diffuser to help in dissolving CO2.

Would like to know if it would be better to use those green colour internal C02 reactor with bio balls?

Thanks for replying.

[|squee|]

Both are equally effective if you use them well.

Ceramic diffusors need to be used with a good water current, i.e. the stream of bubbles hit a current flow and get messed up all over the tank. Regular maintainence is also needed (at least weekly) to ensure the diffusor ceramic plate is not clogged by detritus/algae.

The internal CO2 reactor depends on good flow rate and regular maintainence. The bioballs have proven unnecessary take a look at Tom Barr's Internal reactor at the Equipment forum.

[eggy]

hi for my case, i wld prefer to use the reactor..
i thinks its easier for the co2 to dissolve as to the diffuser
the diffuser's case u can see the co2 bubbles coming out which i believe means wastage of co2 if they do not "mix" with the water before they hit the surface and disappear...
reactor's case, the co2 is already mixed with the water when it is being released into the tank... unless u can see tiny bubbles coming out...
which also means a little wastage of co2 ( thats wad i think... correct me if i am wrong..hehe)
hope this help abit
i am using the green stuff with the balls if you must know..hehe
works fine

[grey_fox]

Likewise I am also using an internal reactor which came with the bioballs, orginally had 3, but I added 2 smaller ones to further dissolve the CO2. Works like a charm along with the proper rainbar positioning

Like what Terence mentioned, the cermaic plate diffuser is good enough as well if you have the proper flow of water current to dissipate the CO2 around the tank.

I guess it would all eventually boil down to personal choice of either having something big and green (or whatever other color combination there is) in your tank (which you can later conceal with tall plants) or a cermaic diffuser plate that can be easily concealed but the trick is to have the proper current flow to it.

In the end, both serves the exact same purpose.

Hope this helps.