Cannister filter problems

[DarkDH]

Hey!

Since I am soon rigging up DIY CO2, I was wondering, could I add a really small canister filter hooked to CO2 to my tank or not?

Tank has a HOB and a tiny cannister filter on one side. I'm thinking of adding another tiny one to the other.

[echoofformless]

The popular thought when it comes to planted, CO2 injected tanks is to run only canisters to ensure the minimum amount of surface agitation, therefore keeping the most Co2 in the tank as possible.

As far as running it through the canister, I believe I recall reading that Eheim filters are the wisest choice for that due to their ceramic parts, which will not be corroded by the CO2 the way that other companies' metal parts would be. But don't quote me on that. Hopefully someone else will chime in with the necessary wisdom on that.

[jm1212]

Echo's got it. canisters do help in keeping injected CO2 in the water. you will need to run an airstone at night though (just get a timer) because after the lights go off, the plants go from bringing in CO2 to brigning in O2, and if a CO2 injector is running at the same time, it can be risky for the fish.

[guitarkev13]

for a small canister filter you can try the rapids mini canister filter rated for up to 25 gals i got one on my 10 gal shrimp tank and its awesome

[DarkDH]

Thanks!

I have my current pump (40 gal) which I can run at night (overkill?).
An Alternative is a small 10 gal pump w/ Airstone.

Would DIY CO2 pose that much of a threat to my fish at night?

[Canuck]

I've run DIY CO2 for years in my 20 and have had the tank literally packed with plants by times, I've never had a CO2 overdose and have never aerated at night. YMMV.

[echoofformless]

There are a lot of factors in regards to the importance of the night time air stone idea. The main is the amount of CO2, and the amount of plants as per tank volume. In a 20g with a small amount of plants, I wouldn't sweat it too much. But in a 20g with loads of fast growing plants I would consider the air stone. It also depends on how much CO2 your DIY is producing.

[Draal5]

I have killed 3 balla sharks once because I forgot to turn on the air at night. That was a bad morning 3 6' sharks dead and the rest of the fish gasping at the surface. A hard lesson learned but an important one.

The latest best way to inject co2 is to break co2 up into tiny bubble like a mist plants seem to absorb it better this way. I say latest as the preferred method has changed 3 times in the last year. go to thebarrreport.com he is the expert on injecting co2 into tanks warning more than you could ever imagine.