Effectiveness of ADA Glass Beetle diffuser?

Bmeasure

Bmeasure

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Aug 6, 2004
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Since Amano continues to use this type of glass diffuser, I was wondering if they were more efficient than, say, injecting into a canister filter's intake tube? I've tried several types of diffusers/reactors, with plenty of bumps along the way. So far it's been most effective to just pump it into my Filstar XP3 intake tubes. The problem with that is that there was a frequent "burp" and I'm wondering if it breaks down the gaskets over time? The burping is a bit distracting and people who are around when it happens think that something is going wrong. I can see the worried look on their faces as they ask, "WHAT'S THAT?"

Since I've been setting up an aquarium for a client, I'm interested in finding a more subtle and efficient way. What works best for all of you?
 
injecting to the intake is the best way i can think of,
when you use pollen glass, most of the co2 reach the surface before it dissolves. if i remember correctly wtih pollen glass 70% of the co2 dissolves in the water but almost 100% with intake tube.
plus pollen glass is hard to take care, you need to clean a lot or else the bubbles become too big and wont dissolve.
if youre doing the intake tho, i have DIY plan for that.
 
Great points....and thanks! I'm about to add two of the largest Pollen Beetles to a 150 gallon tank (on at each end of the 7' tank) and 1 of them I can place below a Filstar intake, to possibly catch some additional micro-bubbles. I may be able to place the other underneath a SEIO 820 powerhead to allow additional turbulence and further absorption.

Although the canister filters seem to be the most efficient, when you think about it, mine was burping about once per hour or two. When it would burp, it would release (in a loud obtrusive manner) hundreds of large bubbles from the spray-bar. It's one think injecting slowly into a 30 or 55 gallon tank, and completely another thing pump it into a 150 gallon. I am running about 2 bubbles per second, and I don't think a single Filstar (even the largest model) can keep up with all the bubbles and break them up into solution. This causes the large, frequent "burps", and I can only imagine how much CO2 is lost in that way. 70% absorption sounds pretty much right on what might be formed in the Filstar......on a GOOD DAY. I'm gonna try these Pollen Beetles and see if the hassle of cleaning them regularly outweighs the benefits.
 
Very interesting, but looks a bit small for my larger tank. I suppose I could split it 2 or 3 ways to several of these, and still be cheaper than the ADA brand.
 
what you can do is cut the outtake tube(further from the tank, the better), and put an eheim diffuser. put the co2 tube where you're suppose to put the air tube. some like this
a0049090_20391596.jpg

a0049090_20391596.jpg

a0049090_20412956.jpg

when you do that, you must put that diffuser part horizontal.

this is what you need:
eheim diffuser (dont know how big your tubing is)
the white adapter thing - can get this at a hardware store
tube - to connect the diffuser and the adapter
hose clamp - to ensure that theres no leak

this one is split into two branches because one is for aeration and one is for co2
 
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uhhhh.....I'm completely confused as to what I'm looking at! Can you maybe back off your picture so I can get a picture of whether that is tubing is coming/going from your canister filter, or if it's airline/CO2 tubing coming from the Cylinder. I'm pretty good at understanding what a reactore does and how it operates in various setups, but I HAVE NO IDEA what I'm looking at in your pics. I must say they are very clear, close shots though :)
 
that was when i was back in japan, i used to have that setup but now im not injecting co2. so i cant take any more pictures of it but i can show other peoples one. if i can find it taht is. sorry
so heres the rundown
tank -> intake tube -> canister -> outtake tube-> diffuser -> outtaketube -> tank.
so the diffuser goes on the outtake tubing side.
does that make sense?

heres the little sketch i did, hope this helps
 
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CO2 difusser

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/diy/22296-rex-reactor.html

Have a look at this site. It is a CO2 "reactor" DIY. Goes in the outlet line of a cannister filter. Easy to build, efficient and not in the tank. I am using an Elite Mini filter. The filter is submersable and I simply run the CO2 line directly into the pick up. The filter is quite small and takes very little space and is easily hidden.
Cheers;
 
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