CO2 reactor question

[eggz]

Hi Guys,

Got a question regarding CO2 reactors.

I'm currently using that green internal reactor with 1 ball. There is quite a bit of slimy stuff inside and the ball occasionally gets stuck. Also, after about 6 hours, more than half of it is filled with undissolved CO2. I think this might be wasteful, since quite soon after this time, the lights go off and although the CO2 left in the reactor will eventually dissolve, during this "dark" period, it probably gets wasted, is this true?

Question, apart from an external reactor, do you think the ANA or Dennerle (turbo?) reactors will be significantly better. Any recommendations?

Perhaps the cheapest way is to just get another timer for the CO2 and set it such that the CO2 turns off 1-2 hours B4 the lights?

thanks,


eggz

[eggz]

Hi Guys,

Got a question regarding CO2 reactors.

I'm currently using that green internal reactor with 1 ball. There is quite a bit of slimy stuff inside and the ball occasionally gets stuck. Also, after about 6 hours, more than half of it is filled with undissolved CO2. I think this might be wasteful, since quite soon after this time, the lights go off and although the CO2 left in the reactor will eventually dissolve, during this "dark" period, it probably gets wasted, is this true?

Question, apart from an external reactor, do you think the ANA or Dennerle (turbo?) reactors will be significantly better. Any recommendations?

Perhaps the cheapest way is to just get another timer for the CO2 and set it such that the CO2 turns off 1-2 hours B4 the lights?

thanks,


eggz

[eggz]

Hi Guys,

Got a question regarding CO2 reactors.

I'm currently using that green internal reactor with 1 ball. There is quite a bit of slimy stuff inside and the ball occasionally gets stuck. Also, after about 6 hours, more than half of it is filled with undissolved CO2. I think this might be wasteful, since quite soon after this time, the lights go off and although the CO2 left in the reactor will eventually dissolve, during this "dark" period, it probably gets wasted, is this true?

Question, apart from an external reactor, do you think the ANA or Dennerle (turbo?) reactors will be significantly better. Any recommendations?

Perhaps the cheapest way is to just get another timer for the CO2 and set it such that the CO2 turns off 1-2 hours B4 the lights?

thanks,


eggz

[eggz]

Hi Guys,

Got a question regarding CO2 reactors.

I'm currently using that green internal reactor with 1 ball. There is quite a bit of slimy stuff inside and the ball occasionally gets stuck. Also, after about 6 hours, more than half of it is filled with undissolved CO2. I think this might be wasteful, since quite soon after this time, the lights go off and although the CO2 left in the reactor will eventually dissolve, during this "dark" period, it probably gets wasted, is this true?

Question, apart from an external reactor, do you think the ANA or Dennerle (turbo?) reactors will be significantly better. Any recommendations?

Perhaps the cheapest way is to just get another timer for the CO2 and set it such that the CO2 turns off 1-2 hours B4 the lights?

thanks,


eggz

[sherchoo]

Getting another timer would not be a good idea as what we want is the co2 to get dissolved. If it's not doing that, then your plants will not receive enuff co2.

[ZeRoC00l]

Yes, tt's what i do. I semi off the CO2 to 1 b per 10sec in the evening.

My lighting hrs 12pm -9.30pm. Hence, CO2 on at 10am, and off at 6pm.

Save CO2 and save $$$ []

Have to manually twist till i save for my solenoid []

[M0rph3us]

zero how u get 1 bubble per 10sec? yr regulator wat brand? i just cant seem to get a very slow count leh.. everytime slow count the co2 will auto shut off

[sesom]

Hi Eggz
I have been using same reactor with 1 ball with very good result, what I mean CO2 dissolved very well with very mininal wastage. It is powered by a Eheim 2026 at full blast, with the outlet facing the corner of my 3 ft tank. Previously I faced the outlet to the diagonal end of the tank but it was too strong for the plants. A good amount of pressure from the output is ideal for such reactor to work well. Otherwise, you will be left with slow ineffective dissolution of CO2, accumulating in the reactor and wasted away after lights off(I shared your same experience when I did not use full blast output). Btw, I am using 2 bubbles per second.My CO2 and lights are using the same timer. A separate timer, if you have spare $, would be good, though not neccessary. cheers!

[bigjohnstud]

Agree with Sesom that the outlet pressure into the reactor must be strong enough to create sufficient 'action' for the CO2 to dissolve. Also had an experience once when the reactor filled up with 'air' and the bioballs stopped spinning. Realised later that air had seeped into my canister filter and ultimately discharged into the reactor. Make sure to check all joints and connection in and out of the external filter for any small leakage.

[wks]

Eggz, I solved the excess CO2 problem by stopping the supply a few hours before the lights off time. This gives the reactor sufficient time to discharge the excess CO2. So when its bed time for the fishes, there wouldn't be CO2 left in the reactor.

[c.y.]

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On 10/29/2002 9:21:27 AM

Eggz, I solved the excess CO2 problem by stopping the supply a few hours before the lights off time. This gives the reactor sufficient time to discharge the excess CO2. So when its bed time for the fishes, there wouldn't be CO2 left in the reactor.
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Can I just turn off the main valve at the co2 cylinder and just let the solenoid on? cos I use same timer plug for both my ligths and solenoid.

[loupgarou]

my technique: 5 liter tank, co2 on manual regulator, ac fan.
turn on fan at full blast during "night" time with a timer. co2 runs continuously for 24/hrs.

I guess the cost to me might be an extra $20 a year for wasted co2.


(as compared to a selenoid for $85 that may not last 4 years)

[vinz]

First, clean out the reactor.

Second, since your CO2 is not dissolving fast enough, lower the CO2 injection rate... this way less CO2 trap, ball more likely to spin and might dissolve more CO2 then when the rate was higher. It'll take a few days to find the 'balance'.

[eggz]

Thanks for all the tips!

Vinz, ok will clean out the reactor. It must be the slim/algae/whatever that is in there causing the ball to get stuck. I remember when the reactor was clean and new the ball was spinning more freely.


eggz

[wks]

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On 10/29/2002 9:25:32 AM

Can I just turn off the main valve at the co2 cylinder and just let the solenoid on? cos I use same timer plug for both my ligths and solenoid.

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cy, you can do that. But you must always remember to turn on the main valve. Get another timer for the solenoid, its less hassle.

[c.y.]

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On 10/29/2002 10:17:30 PM

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On 10/29/2002 9:25:32 AM

Can I just turn off the main valve at the co2 cylinder and just let the solenoid on? cos I use same timer plug for both my ligths and solenoid.

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cy, you can do that. But you must always remember to turn on the main valve. Get another timer for the solenoid, its less hassle.
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Thanks