Suggestions for CO2 reactor

J

jlemay

Registered Member
Jan 27, 2005
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I've been keeping fish, and even plant tanks for quite some time, but got rid of my CO2 stuff after a catastrophe a few years back. I think I'm ready to try CO2 again, can anyone recommend their favorite non-powered reactor. I see swirly one, ceramic disc ones, membrane ones; all I know is I don't think I want to use a powered one (the tank is in my bedroom and I don't like noise). This is for a 45 pentagon with 2 x 36w PC lights. I will probably use DIY for a few months until I feel comfortable enough to go pressurized again. Thanks for any input,

John
 
jlemay said:
I've been keeping fish, and even plant tanks for quite some time, but got rid of my CO2 stuff after a catastrophe a few years back. I think I'm ready to try CO2 again, can anyone recommend their favorite non-powered reactor. I see swirly one, ceramic disc ones, membrane ones; all I know is I don't think I want to use a powered one (the tank is in my bedroom and I don't like noise). This is for a 45 pentagon with 2 x 36w PC lights. I will probably use DIY for a few months until I feel comfortable enough to go pressurized again. Thanks for any input,

John
Click to expand...

How big is your tank?

Ive heard that the hagen ladder works very well, and can be had for like 12 bucks. Captainhook on these boards has used it on his 72 gallon, and has been able to reach the 30ppm mark. I plan on trying it as well, but i cant seem to find the ladder alone here in Toronto. Ill have to look around......
 
The ladder alone is available through Big Als online, it's listed as a bubble counter/ diffuser. I am using the ladders in a couple tanks, one of which I run pretty large amounts of Co2. By design, the ladder should work about the same with any number of bubbles per minute. as non-powered reactors go, it is about as good as any. If you are neurotic like me and don't want your co2 bubbles to escape the tank at all the ladder will be a dissapointment. I have modified both of mine a bit but still get an occasional bubble out the top of the tank.

BTW a homemade power reactor can be totally silent, mine is. A fully submersed powerhead will make no noise, and if you put the bubbles in after the powerhead you won't create any noise. if you are interested, there are plenty of design details here and on the web. If not the ladder is about as good as it gets IMO.
dave
 
Thanks for the input. I should have specified 45 gallon pentagon, I imagine many of you folks use liters (and litres too). I'll check out the Hagen at Big Als
 
daveedka said:
The ladder alone is available through Big Als online, it's listed as a bubble counter/ diffuser. I am using the ladders in a couple tanks, one of which I run pretty large amounts of Co2. By design, the ladder should work about the same with any number of bubbles per minute. as non-powered reactors go, it is about as good as any. If you are neurotic like me and don't want your co2 bubbles to escape the tank at all the ladder will be a dissapointment. I have modified both of mine a bit but still get an occasional bubble out the top of the tank.

BTW a homemade power reactor can be totally silent, mine is. A fully submersed powerhead will make no noise, and if you put the bubbles in after the powerhead you won't create any noise. if you are interested, there are plenty of design details here and on the web. If not the ladder is about as good as it gets IMO.
dave
Click to expand...

Just out of curiosity, how big is your biggest tank running on the Haggen reactor, and how much C02 in ppm are you getting on that tank. Also, how exactly did you modify it, do you have any pics?
 
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