Opinions on my CO2 Adjustment

[jere1558]

My first real stab at live planted aquarium...
55 long
2 heaters
Rena XP3
2 largish driftwood (hard well water)
gravel substrate
2 Pearl Gourami
1 Clown Pleco
2 Otos
Too many snails (got my lettuce leaf in)

Got a RedSea CO2 injector. Says it's good for up to 40g (I know, gotta get another). The bubbles seemed to be drifting up very quickly. So, I put a couple of geodes over the out valve. They are concave on one side. Makes a little cave for the bubbles. I was thinking they would trap the bubbles and keep them under water a little longer for CO2 dispersion. Am I on the right track?

[livingword26]

Doesn't the RedSea system come with a power head to disperse the co2?

[Draal5]

sounds like you are on the right track. I'm no sure what that injector is I cant seem to find what you are talking about.

The longer the co2 bubble is in contact with the water the better if you could get the bubble in the intake of you filter thats even better.

[jere1558]

it's a tiny valve that releases bubbles in a timed manner. The bubbles quickly go to the surface (I watched). I just thought if I was able to capture the bubbles and keep them under water longer I would get more co2 injected.

[livingword26]

Is this your system?

http://akamai.edeal.com/images/catalog3684/folder24579/img3041635med.jpg

[jere1558]

yep. that's the one.

[livingword26]

Thats a power head. It should be chopping the bubbles up into tiny particles and blowing them out.

[livingword26]

Here's the product desctription:

The Bio-Generator generates CO2 by a pH buffered natural fermentation process. It will supply a tank up to 40 gallons in size with CO2 for up to a month. Included is a reaction canister which sits outside your aquarium and manufactures the CO2. The CO2 then travels through the tubing to a pump inside the aquarium. This venturi pump injector will then diffuse very small bubbles of CO2 throughout the water.

[jere1558]

I understand that. But, they are streaming up one side of the tank. I want a little more dispersal/injection into the water column. i thought if I had the bubbles trapped for a short period of time I would get more co2 in the water.

[livingword26]

Forgive me if I am asking a dumb question, but are you sure the pump is running. The bubbles should be spraying out of it. They should be small enough that they don't go directly to the surface. They should wonder around a bit, like air bubbles from a wooden air stone, before they reach the surface.