Which CO2 reactor?

[The Gipper]

Would the Plantguild reactor handle my 120 gal (4x2x2) or should I go with the bigger 1000 reactor? Currently I am using a wet-dry and running the CO2 directly into the submersible return pump. I am not getting any kind of saturation at all, my 10 lb. CO2 canister lasts about 2.5 weeks, the bubble stream is constant and fast, and I am still only able to get pH to 7.0!!!

I am considering going to an Eheim Pro. The main reason I chose wet-dry was for surface skimming, as I had much surface scum in a previous planted tank with an Eheim.

Regards...Mark

[djlen]

Either you have a ton of surface disturbance, which bleeds off the CO2 into the atmosphere, or you have a leak in your line between tank and aquarium.
I don't know what you mean by your "bubble stream is constant and fast" though. If you are feeding a stream of CO2 into the aquarium and not getting good saturation I tend to think you're losing it into the atmosphere.
What is your CO2ppm.....kH to match up with your 7.0 pH?
I may be wrong on this, but I think surface skimmers are not a good mix for CO2. I'm sure you will get more informed opinions on this however.
Len

[plantbrain]

Djlen addressed the other issues,
This is a simple device:

http://www.aquaticscape.com/articles/co2reactor.htm

They are extremely easy to make. Cost 10$ or less. 100% efficicent.
External, works with wet/dry or with Canister.

I have switched to a canister on most of my tanks since they are near where I sleep and I want quiet.

Each filter has it's advantages/disavdantages.
Canisters are pretty good, I've done very well with wet/drys also.

For larger multi tank systems, I will go with w/d filters personally.

Regards,
Tom Barr

[The Gipper]

I have checked for leaks - none. I believe I am just not getting any CO2 saturation in my water. The submersible pump is not churning it up enough, and also it collects in my homemade water return in my tank (a "T" about 3 inches above gravel) and bubbles up every now & then as a giant CO2 bubble.

I think I need a real reactor as to just passing the CO2 into my submersible pump.

For a 120 gal (4x2x2) heavily planted, which Eheim pro would you use (2026 or 2028). Any other brand/model that might work.

BTW Tom, I couldn;t get the link to work, even if I just tried www.aquaticscapes.com

Regards, Mark

[125gJoe]

Originally posted by The Gipper
....., my 10 lb. CO2 canister lasts about 2.5 weeks, the bubble stream is constant and fast, and I am still only able to get pH to 7.0!!!
...Did you "calculate" how much CO2 is in the water? Did you use the CO2 chart?

(edited to add)
What is your water like to start with? Very "hard" water -- "soft" water?

[The Gipper]

According to KH/CO2 chart, I'm only at 12 for CO2. I want to get the pH down to 6.5-6.6, but I'd have to craete a roaring flow of CO2 to get there with my current setup.

BTW, the aquaticscape link now works.

[djlen]

It's gassing off.
Modify your present system or better yet, get the cannister. You won't believe the difference.

Len

[The Gipper]

80gal,
My water to start with is KH 3, pH 7.8 to start with.

[plantbrain]

KH of 3 is pretty good for OH.
Add enough CO2 to get a pH range of 6.4-6.5 or so.
Keep it there during the day.

I'd use more than a single canister filter for a 120, maybe two. I like the ViaAqua filters, 2 of those would do very well. They are less $ than the Ehien and appear well made/last a long time etc. While folks tout how long the Eheim last, the new filters have not been around long, so we don't know about those anymore than the ViaAqua's, but all things considered, they should do the same job, except one is about 1/2 the cost.
Regards,
Tom Barr

[The Gipper]

Hi Tom and anyone else familiar with the ViaAqua canisters:

What size canister would you get two of for a 120gal?
Do they have similiar media trays to Eheim?
Do they come with quick disconnects, etc.

Thanks in advance...Mark

[djlen]

I have no experience with them, but use a FilStar and am very happy with it. It's much more reasonable than the Eheims.
For price I haven't seen better prices than www.bigalsonline.com
I bought my FilStar there. They also give you the flow rates on all their cannisters and if you call will assist you with a choice of size for your tank.
I agree with Tom's assessment of 2 filters rather than one for your size tank. One thing cannisters will do unless you provide an interior water mover(small power head) is give you dead spots. For a tank your size rather than one large, I'd consider two smaller ones, one on each end.
I'm good at spending your money, huh?

Len

[plantbrain]

Any of the three companies are good IMO/IME.
You get more flow out of Rena and the Via Aqua and about the same media holding capacity. Similar baskets, they sell extra sponge so you can use nothing but sponge and bio media etc.

Regards,
Tom Barr

[carpguy]

aquaticscapes.com (http://www.aquaticscapes.com) is an entirely different site from aquaticscape.com (http://www.aquaticscape.com).

Just to try a second go at that link…

DIY Reactor (http://http://www.aquaticscape.com/articles/co2reactor.htm)

It costs more than $10 unless you've got a bunch of the parts lying around, but it works great.

[Robert H]

You are talking about the mini vortex reactor. This was designed for small tanks. Bill actually designed it at my request.

It was really designed for very small tanks, 6 gallon and up. He figures the maximum it can handle is 30 gallons. The regular power reactor from Plant guild is larger and does better in larger aquariums. It can handle your size tank just fine.