My tank averages 70-120 ppm of CO2 right (KH = 4, pH driven down to 6.3-6.1 range) now running the hagen system with the mist. Considering I barely pulled 15 ppm with the ladder and had rampant BBA problems, I must mention the improvement. The nice thing with the mist system is that I can turn CO2 off at night by switching the powerhead off eliminating the stress of chronic high CO2 levels.
Add a second DIY Co2?
- Thread starter justintoxicated
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Ok, So I am convinced I need one, but shoudl I get the Mighty Mini or Mighty Momato?
still don't understand how it works? It does not look like it plugs into anything?
still don't understand how it works? It does not look like it plugs into anything?
diffusers like the mighty and mini momatos simply connect to the airline. As the CO2 gas builds up it is pushed through the airline into the diffuser, which uses porous ceramic disks to break up the CO2 bubbles into much tinier bubbles. The smaller bubbles will dissolve more efficiently into the water.
For those that have used both the momato diffusers and a reactor (that mixes CO2 and water in a chamber), how do you compare the 2? Currently using a reactor but it is an eyesore.
For those that have used both the momato diffusers and a reactor (that mixes CO2 and water in a chamber), how do you compare the 2? Currently using a reactor but it is an eyesore.
You don't shut off diffusers. Reactors like the venturi one that rrkss uses is basically a water pump so you simply unplug it or plug it into your light timer to go off with the lights.
Depending on your water parameter, the increase in CO2 lvl at night may not be at a dangerous lvl. If you're worried about it, you can add an airstone with a water pump to generate surface agitation and gas off the excess CO2.
Depending on your water parameter, the increase in CO2 lvl at night may not be at a dangerous lvl. If you're worried about it, you can add an airstone with a water pump to generate surface agitation and gas off the excess CO2.
The reactor is a simple design where a powerhead output nozzle is placed in some sort of container. I used a 24 oz pepsi bottle for mine. Then an airline is used to catch excess CO2 and route it through the powerhead creating a mist. My powerhead is on the same timer as my lights so lights out = reactor out and no more CO2 diffuses into the water column.
I've had excellent results by running my CO2 into a sumbersed pump which chops the bubbles up and blows them down into a gravel vaccum tube where they swirl until they are almost completely dissolved. I see next to no bubbles coming back out of the diffuser and those that I do see are extremely tiny.
This is a pretty standard DIY diffuser design which I integrated into my 3D background.
This is a pretty standard DIY diffuser design which I integrated into my 3D background.
A 24 oz Pepsie bottle sounds like it would take up alot of space in my 20 gallon tank. Would I be better off just sticking with my Bubble Counter? The only problem I have with it is that when My plants really start to grow they can impede the bubbles from making it very far up the counter...
rrkss said:
rrkss I am wondering about your co2 ppm, isn't that very high? The recommended that I've read is 30ppm. I am really wondering how high one can go. I am close to 30ppm, 6.5ph at 3kh but still am getting some bba, hair, and some spot. Right now I have one 2 liter and a hagen unit running.
My regulator and tank are arriving today so I am really curious how far to go on co2 without hurting the fish.
