can't get CO2 diffuser to work properly... help!!!

[toledosun]

I bought a CO2 diffuser from Petmart. It's the $15 type whereby the CO2 is supposed to spiral up the tube and then come out through the white ceramic top.

For some strange reason, my CO2 refuses to go through the tube. It escapes from the hole at the side then then goes out. I noticed that the water level inside the diffuser is very low. Do I need to make sure the diffuser is filled with water or something? And if so, how do I top up the water level inside?

Thanks.

[PeterGwee]

Pressurised or DIY CO2? You cannot use a diffuser for a DIY CO2 system...there just ain't enough pressure to push it through.

Regards
Peter Gwee

[confusekid]

Does the CO2 go through the white ceramic? If so, it is ok if teh CO2 do not sprial down the tube. Maybe you can reduce the CO2 amount to see.

[toledosun]

it's a pressurized system from NA. My bubble rate is very low already about 1 bubble per second because not much plants. Any way to make it go up through the spiral? Looks more high tech that way.

[vinz]

Hole at the side? There shouldn't be a hole at the side. If there is, pressure will not build up to push the CO2 thru the ceramic plate. Care to describe?

[toledosun]

sorry for the confusion, the hole is not in the glass surrounding the spiral, but in the tube inside.

Ok, far as I can tell, CO2 goes from plastic tube down a long glass tube outside the cylinder and into a u-shaped bend into the glass cylinder. In theory it should then go into that spiral where it makes its way up and then escape from the ceramic top. There is a gap in the glass just before the spiral starts. I guess that's to enable water to be pushed into the cylinder as well. However, instead of going up the spiral, the bubbles are just coming out from the side where the opening is and making it way up. So it's bypassing the spiral altogether.

Have no idea what I'm doing wrong

[vinz]

Errr... can I assume that it is actually diffusing, but just doesn't have the bubble traveling up the spiral tube effect?

After running thru a few scenarios of the actual design could be like, I can only suggest that you must make sure that the whole diffusor is filled with water before you use it. How? I have no idea. After that, start with a lower CO2 injection rate, see if it works as it should, then increase it a little bit more and repeat.

[toledosun]

yep.. vinz, you smacked it on the ceramic head. It's diffusing without the spiral effect.

anyway, I've called and checked with petmart. According to them, it'll take a few days before the water completely fills the cylinder. Once that happens, the bubbles should go through the glass spiral

[hwchoy]

ha, happened to me when I was using a DIY system. I wouldn't describe the gymnastics I went through to make it work (mah lu man, hahahaha).

I think you can get the water to fill into the diffuser by back pressuring the CO2 (MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A ONE-WAY VALVE!). What you do is to turn up the CO2 and get it to bubble a lot (like 10bps). The gas should be diffusing out of the ceramic and basically the pressure is very high inside (make sure your silicone tubings don't come flying off). Now turn off the solenoid. The pressure will start to fall and water will get sucked back into the diffuser. That's why you need a one-way valve to prevent water from reaching the needle valve and the cylinder.

I'm using an ADA glass beetle but should work the same.

[PeterGwee]

You don't need to care if the bubbles are making their rounds in the spiral...what is more important is to get the CO2 to good levels in your tank. That is the most important thing. []

Mr Choy..branded stuff ah...[]

Regards
Peter Gwee

[hwchoy]

----------------
On 12/1/2003 3:49:58 PM

You don't need to care if the bubbles are making their rounds in the spiral...what is more important is to get the CO2 to good levels in your tank. That is the most important thing. []

Mr Choy..branded stuff ah...[]

Regards
Peter Gwee
----------------

don't you know the saying: "CO2 must not just be dissoved at good levels, it must be SEEN to be dissoved at good levels"

of course lah, must support AQ ADA sale mah (actually Simon bigger size than me lah), kekekeke.

[TBI]

toledosun,
if u want the effect in the diffuser u can fill the TUBING with some water first, the pressure will force the water in the tubing into the diffuser...thus causing the effect that u wanted. but your diffuser is diffusing alrite! actually u don hv to worry about it ma....
are u a fussy man???? just joking.

[williamng]

Hi

I used this diffuser before: -

1) Force water into the whole diffuser with the help of a water hose. Just force water in.

2) When water completely fill up the diffuser, connect CO2 tubing to inlet.

3) On CO2, the bubble will move along the spiral.

Very difficult to get the water in, really hate thus duffuser. Surprisingly my dad got it working..

[toledosun]

thanks for all the advice guys. Actually, I was more worried that the diffuser may be spoilt.

After the tele-conversation with petmart, I sort of figured water in the cylinder was the key so... guess I'll wait for a few days. If still no bubble through the spiral, then maybe I'll take drastic measures like pumping water in.

p.s. TBI, not say very very fussy but seeing that I paid $5 more just to see the silly bubbles going through the spiral... I'm going to make sure I get that $5 worth

[chua]

Hi.

Actually, i had encountered the same problem before.

I used it for my 2ft tank and the CO2 bubble does not spin.
But when i used it for my 3ft tank, it spins.
The reason that i came up with is because of the pressure exerted on the diffuser. With a 3ft tank which means a deeper and higher volume tank, it exerts a higher pressure as compared with my 2ft tank.

You may want to try it out.

But as everyone had said, it is not a problem at all.
Thks.

[toledosun]

thanks Chua,

that sounds possible as well. Especially since I didn't even top up the water to the brim for my 3 ft tank. Let it half full since my fish load is small and I wanted to get more light on my plants (& reduce temp. at the same time).

[yappeyap]

Yo mates:

No worries. For DIY Co2 set (Wow since when Co2 also got set one nei, haaaaa...) What you need to do is to connect the diffusor when it is in it's dry state to the Co2 outlet tubings. Left it in the open for a good 20-30 min (Theory - to let the Co2 to built enough pressure in the diffusor) then you introduce it in the tank.

Points to note:
- Never water into the diffusor on else you will wet the ceramic surface then in will reduce the bubble formation.
- Get a check value to stop the pressure back flow from your set.

Cheers!
[] [] []

[Blue Whale]

aiyo...CO2 tank or DIY both also no problem one. saya diffusers work like charm. except that I dun use spiral spiral thingy...heh heh.. Just a thinker, if u can't force the water in, try sucking one end with the other end dip into a bucket of water. Dun always force, sometimes the other way helps.

[TBI]

actually toledosun u must pratice alot of sucking before u can really really SUCK the diffuser.

anyway if u still pressure the tubing no water will enter diffuser, it is not like wat the petmart guy told u, unless u shut the regulator then it will cuz a siphone effect and the water will slowly suck back into the diffuser. u knw wat i mean????

but if u really wanna suck the diffuser.......there is nothin i can do about it my dear boy....
hahahaha. cheers!!!
[:0] [:0] [] []

[Blue Whale]

[] ha ha ha ha...