CO2 Diffuser options?

[baconnlegs]

Currently, I have a DIY CO2 system (2L pop bottle) running directly into my filter intake. It chews up the bubbles a bit, but I feel a proper diffuser would be more effective. There are lots of designs, which do you prefer, and why? I'll likely buy from Amazon, so if I can find it there, bonus My tank is a lightly-stocked, FugeRay-lit planted 10G with a small Aquaclear on back. Thanks!

[Rainbowfish Alan]

I don't know of many effective diffusers for diy co2. The reason is the low pressure. I think feeding it into your filter intake is about the best solution. Ivused that until i boughtva co2 tank. But it does depend on your filter type. My daughter lauren91 bought a filter off amazon for that purpose but she hasn't set it up yet. PM her for details.

[Admin]

For DIY you will be limited as Alan has stated due to its low pressure. An air stone can work for DIY Co2 or feeding directly into an intake or combining them both. Use an air stone to diffuse the co2 near your filter intake or near a pump.

[baconnlegs]

in the past, I'd used a ladder for a slightly larger tank. it seemed to work alright, and it certainly was convenient, if not a little ugly. thoughts on those?

[Rainbowfish Alan]

I've never used a ladder so I have no first hand experience. However, I haven't read great things about it. To be honest, the videos I've seen still have sizeable bubbles coming out of its exit, so I don't really buy that there is a lot of dissolving occurring. Just my 2c worth.

[Admin]

I have never used a ladder, but I have heard they are okay. They work a little different in that they maximize the amount of time the co2 bubble have contact with the water (hence they go up/down a ladder instead of just floating away or diffusing into smaller bubbles). I THINK they can be used with lower pressure systems but they are kind of unsightly. Again people seem to have decent results with them, but it still won't compete with an atomizer or reactor.

[gabor129]

The only diffuser I had, is a DIY one! A 500 ml pop bottle top cut @ 2", stuffed with coarse sponge, and a wooden air stone running under it! So the co2 runs to the wood air stone, and as the bubbles go up they have to pass through the sponge it acts to increase the time the bubbles spend in the water therefore more efficiently diffuse.

[fin]

I have used a co2 system made by nutrafin I believe. it uses the ladder type defuser and the bubbles were almost gone by the end, but it was in a 24" deep tank so if you buy a "t" and two defusers i'm sure it will slow down the bubbles enough to the point where the bubbles will dissolve.just an idea you might want to think about .good luck.

[baconnlegs]

gabor129, that's similar to what's happening now. I have a sponge over the intake (for the shrimp), and the bubbles get caught in the sponge. It's not the best for absorption, but the dwarf baby tears are pearling and the crypts have a tiny string of bubbles coming from their centers. They seems happy, and that's all I want.

[gabor129]

The co2 might be more absorbed into the water than you think. If the filter picks it up, the impeller chops up the bubbles and that is a good way to defuse the co2.

[Stellar]

My ottos and shrimp have always used the "ladders" as hotels...

[Darren and/or Sarah]

I was literally about to put together a 2L pop bottle diffuser. Just wondering if that's going to produce enough c02 for a 55g tank?

[guppyguy]

Hey Darren you could use the 2L pop bottle method on smaller tanks But will have a hard producing enough for a 55 gallon tank with that method.

[Darren and/or Sarah]

That's what I was thinking. I'll have to hold off on buying more plants for the time being. I think I may have exceeded the amount of plants liquid c02 will support.

[baconnlegs]

Darren, why not make 2 bottles and run them together with a t-connector to the tank? I did that with a bigger thank kn the past, and staggered the refills to every 2 weeks, so each bottle lasted a month but they overlapped to keep concentration up.