CO2 reactor....

[Paintballer99]

Can they work on DIY systems? If so, should I go with that rather than a glass diffuser?
BTW: 20 gallon long tank (not set up)

P.S I still may be able to run co2 thorugh my canister filter still trying to figure that out

[thrak76]

I was under the impression that a reactor is really only appropriate for pressurized co2. I've been using a powerhead w/ a sppnge over The output to diffuse my diy co2. I'm thinking about trying a glass diffuser and placing it low in the tank; beneath the Intake for my c220. I haven't tried sticking the co2 directly in the canister....yet.

[coach_z]

if i were you, i'd run your DIY co2 through an airstone that is placed directly below the intake of your canister filter

[Paintballer99]

OK, I'll forget about the reactor

[timwag2001]

reactor works fine for diy

[mgarrido]

If don't use a reactor you waste a lot of co2

[Riiz]

I was under the impression that a reactor is really only appropriate for pressurized co2. I've been using a powerhead w/ a sppnge over The output to diffuse my diy co2. I'm thinking about trying a glass diffuser and placing it low in the tank; beneath the Intake for my c220. I haven't tried sticking the co2 directly in the canister....yet.

Reactor's work for all applications, DIY Co2 into a reactor would actually be a good idea, since it would preserve as much gas as possible.

But Thrak, DIY through a glass diffusor does not always work, usually there is not enough pressure.

[Paintballer99]

IDk If im ready to spend $30 on it yet, when ican spend $10 on a glass diffuser.....

[Riiz]

IDk If im ready to spend $30 on it yet, when ican spend $10 on a glass diffuser.....

As I posted above, glass difusers do not work very well or at all with DIY CO2. Some work and some dont, but if you dont want to spend the money on a reactor or deal with plumbing one into an existing setup. Limewood or wooden airstone works very well btw. They are usually only a dollar or two, and even petco's sell them in 4 packs, albeit at a much higher cost than a LFS.

[Paintballer99]

Maybe i'll start out with an airstone..then eventually move to a reactor.

[thrak76]

Reactor's work for all applications, DIY Co2 into a reactor would actually be a good idea, since it would preserve as much gas as possible.

But Thrak, DIY through a glass diffusor does not always work, usually there is not enough pressure.

Well, i won't try one of those then! :D
Any money saved is good. I have tried the diffusion through the airstone thing, but i would only get one large bubble through it, and it seemed to always bypass the filter intake. Perhaps i can try a different placement. Maybe securing the airstone directly to the intake screen with a rubber band....

[SMinNC]

Maybe i'll start out with an airstone..then eventually move to a reactor.

Your canister is your reactor. And you don't need nuthing but that L-bow.
No stones no nuthins.

[67chevelle]

Your canister is your reactor. And you don't need nuthing but that L-bow.
No stones no nuthins.
Exactly.Since you bought a cannister filter,run the tube from the CO2 right into the intake for the filter,that's it.The filter will then mix up the CO2 and put it back into your tank.No need for a glass diffuser,which probably won't work,or a reactor.

[Paintballer99]

67chevelle, SMinNC, You are my heros hahaha. I'll get that L-bow!

[SMinNC]

: ) Just trying to help. And yea, I realize its alot of different info to soak up.

[67chevelle]

It will all start to make more sense when your tank is up and running.

[smokey2957]

I made a reactor out of an old gravel vaccum and a power head that I had. I went to my local hardware store, go to the plumbing dept, find an elbow and a screw on fitting with a barb that will fit the the outflow of the power head and the hose of the gravel vacc. I went into the lawn irragation area. I pushed the elbow onto the outflow of the power head and screwed on the other fitting onto the elbow, then attach a small piece of the gravel vacc hose to the fitting with the barb, then to the top of the gravel vac, I melted a small hole in the side of the gravel vac and made it just big enough so a small piece of hard tubing would fit, adjusting it so that it would release bubbles under the water stream, then attached the co2 line to it. Add piece of sponge filter to the bottom of the gravel vac so the co2 will bounce around in the gravel vac, and get disperesed with the water. It works for me, it increased my concertration of co2 in my 30 gallon.