External CO2 reactor

[Sleepy_lancs]

Hi All,

Anyone knows where I can get a good quality and efficent external CO2 diffuser for a 4ft tank? My internal diffuser seems to be a letdown. I can't get the ph level down to 6.8 even with 6 bubbles per sec. *sigh* []

[hmph]

hi,
why don't you get an internal co2 reactor? lotsa options available and they beat diffusers anytime.

[Sleepy_lancs]

Reactor? Isn't that the DIY CO2 producer? I am currently using a CO2 cylinder.

[PohSan]

Sorry but what is a external diffuser? I thought all diffuser should be in tank.

[Bandit]

can try nature.....think they have it.

[sherchoo]

Reactor is what we refer as the cylindrical shape container where water and co2 is mixed. It comes as internal and external. Where as diffuser is we refers as those glass with ceramic plates where tiny bubbles are produce.

There is a DIY type external reactor by Chan (NA Nature) which you might want to have a look at. Simple design and quite effective but rather large in size. If you have a place to hide it below you tank, it would not be a problem.

[PohSan]

Anyone enlight me what is a external diffusor? diffusor normally put inside tank to produce tiny c02 bubble. So how does a external diffusor works? Thank

[Sleepy_lancs]

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There is a DIY type external reactor by Chan (NA Nature) which you might want to have a look at. Simple design and quite effective but rather large in size. If you have a place to hide it below you tank, it would not be a problem.
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Has anyone use it before? Please comment. I DIY once and its a complete failure []

[David]

Hi Sleepy Lancs

Incidentially did you check your KH level?

[Sleepy_lancs]

Hi David,

Yeap. My tank's KH is at 4.

[BFG]

I am using the external reactor by Mr Chan of Nature Aquarium. In fact, I am using it for both of my planted tank. It is connected from the external filter via the output tube. There is another tube that is connected from the co2 tank to the reactor. This supply the co2 to the reactor to be mixed with the tank water that came from the external filter. Do visit Nature to view the reactor yourself in person.

[Sleepy_lancs]

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On 11/9/2003 11:21:41 PM

I am using the external reactor by Mr Chan of Nature Aquarium. In fact, I am using it for both of my planted tank. It is connected from the external filter via the output tube. There is another tube that is connected from the co2 tank to the reactor. This supply the co2 to the reactor to be mixed with the tank water that came from the external filter. Do visit Nature to view the reactor yourself in person.
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How big is your tank, may I ask? How long have you been using it? Can you see if all the CO2 has been completely dissolved? How much did you pay for it? Sorry for asking so many questions at one time.

[sherchoo]

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On 11/9/2003 10:38:41 PM

Has anyone use it before? Please comment. I DIY once and its a complete failure []
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Sorry, I did not mentioned I aws using it too. It replaced my glass diffusor. Before change CO2 was at 20ppm, after switching, CO2 at 50+ ppm. Luckily there were no casualties. Reduced to 30ppm CO2 since.

[PeterGwee]

Sleepy_lancs, for a 4footer, you would need good circulation in order to get the CO2 rich water around to the plants. From what it seems, you seem you have lack of good circulation? Try to pipe the return line of the filter just above the diffuser and spray it across the tank so that it covers as much of the tank as possible. If budget is not a problem, you can get the reactor from Nature Aquarium which is pretty efficient...just pipe the return of your filter return into the reactor and then to a spray bar at the bottom back of the tank just above the substrate and spray it across the substrate so that the CO2 rich water flows into the plants and slowly creep up to the surface to be recycled again. Good luck.

[vinz]

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On 11/9/2003 9:57:19 PM

Anyone enlight me what is a external diffusor? diffusor normally put inside tank to produce tiny c02 bubble. So how does a external diffusor works? Thank
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No such thing.

[cks]

this is one external reactor your may want to DIY
http://aquabotanicwetthumb.infopop.c...p;m=1276009343

[geoffrey]

Was told by the shopkeeper of Choong Sua his external reactor he got from Aquatechnic. Alternatively, I find the internal Bioplast reactor has good surface area/volume ratio for good gas exchange. Pretty expensive for both containers.

[Sleepy_lancs]

[/quote]
Sorry, I did not mentioned I aws using it too. It replaced my glass diffusor. Before change CO2 was at 20ppm, after switching, CO2 at 50+ ppm. Luckily there were no casualties. Reduced to 30ppm CO2 since.

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[/quote]
Hi Sherchoo,

I am interested in your Glass version of it. Seems really good. Do you have a picture of it? Where did you get it and how much does it cost? Internal or external? BTW, how big is your tank?

From what you wrote, it seems as the diffusor from NA isn't doing its job very well.

[Sleepy_lancs]

Hi PeterGwee,

I think you might be right. Mine is at a corner and the exit is facing the glass wall because I do not force of the water to push at my plants. I'll see what I can do.

Do all of you put your spray bar almost near the bottom of the tank as what Peter discribed? Wouldn't it blow your plants to a bent position? I placed mine 3 inches below the water surface.

[vinz]

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On 11/10/2003 11:51:08 AM

Sorry, I did not mentioned I aws using it too. It replaced my glass diffusor. Before change CO2 was at 20ppm, after switching, CO2 at 50+ ppm. Luckily there were no casualties. Reduced to 30ppm CO2 since.

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[/quote]
Hi Sherchoo,

I am interested in your Glass version of it. Seems really good. Do you have a picture of it? Where did you get it and how much does it cost? Internal or external? BTW, how big is your tank?

From what you wrote, it seems as the diffusor from NA isn't doing its job very well.
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[/quote]
Sleepy_Lancs,

Wake up leh... Sherwin said he switched from and a glass diffusor to a external reactor. It is implied that he did not reduce the CO2 injection rate and the CO2 levels in his tank went from 20ppm (using diffusor) to 50ppm (using ext. reactor). This means the reactor is much more efficient in dissolving CO2.

Do you know what is a diffusor and a reactor?