internal filter to minimize co2 loss???

[serjuanca888]

I am planning a 20g planted tank and am curious about using an internal filter so as to not lose CO2. I plan on using DIY CO2. Would you use an internal filter or a HOB filter?

[rdmpe]

I would use a canister filter such as the smallest eheim ecco model (2231 ?) or the small classic model 2213. I would just put the return line under the water surface. I like the canisters since they take up less room in the tank.

If you use an internal filter or a canister filter, you should be able to hook the output up to a DIY co2 reactor which is a big plus.

Then again, if the fish load is light and the plants are healthy, you may eventually be able to run with little to no filtration.

[serjuanca888]

The smallest canister filter is $45 when I can get an internal for $20.

I think somebody used an internal filter as a CO2 reactor.

[TwoTankAmin]

The key to successful use of co2 is the minimization of surface aggitation. The co2 comes into the tank in bubbles which need to be broken up and made finer. Many folks do this by letting the co2 go through the inpellor of a filter which breaks up the larger bubbles into much finer ones.

When using diy co2 you have to be careful not to have the co2 output too close to the filter intake. Unlike bottled gas, diy is created by a nasty concoction which you never want to get into the tank. Putting the co2 out into the filter intake can result in sucjing the slop into the tank. I suggest you place the co2 out just below the filter intake so the bubbles coming out will be sucked into the filter from the water rather than directly from the end of the co2 line. This should eliminate the possibility that the filter can suck up the contents of the bottle.

Some people will not disperse co2 through a canister because it might cause a vapor lock from the co2 inside the canister. However, I can report that I have been putting the output from pressurized co2 through my Eheim Pro II 2026 for the past 15 months with no ill effects. I don't think I would try this with other brands.

[rdmpe]

Originally posted by serjuanca888
The smallest canister filter is $45 when I can get an internal for $20... Money well spent IMO :)