How important is the Reactor in a Pressurized CO2 system?

G

gcis

AC Members
Jul 12, 2008
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So with xmas right around the corner I am getting ready to order my pressurized CO2 system. this is the one that is the cheapest so far that I have found with a ph monitor (I would like one because I travel a lot):

http://co2-canisters.com/index1.html?lang=en-us&target=p10597.html&gclid=CMDF8JLX45YCFSAUagodCwqxPg

Now, my question is........I have a variety of reactors that I could get with the system ranging from $15 up to $80. I am definitely willing to pay for a quality reactor if it provides a distinct benefit to the system, but I want the experts on AC to give me their opinion. Here are my options:

1. Reactor 100 Aquamedic or Boyu Glass Spiral ($15)
2. Membrane CO2 Reactor ($18.99)
3. Reactor 500 Aquamedic ($28.50)
4. Reactor m ($59)
5. 1000 by Aquamedic ($80)

Also, for a 55 gallon tank what would be a good size tank that would last awhile?
 
1 - size isn't an issue. I have an inwall tank so I can just set it on the ground

2 - noted

3 - I have HOB filters right now (I know, I know.......I am working on getting the canister filter but one thing at a time). I do have powerheads I could use but I really don't want to increase any surface agitation. Is there one that is listed that you would suggest?
 
1- ill send you a pm with a co2 tank

2- the reg/ph controller im talking about is from www.water-testers.com

3- with HOB's keep your water level high.
I would just go with a simple glass diffuser. Place it at the lowest point in the tank directly under a powerhead or a HOB overflow and you should get good diffusion.
I wouldnt go with buying one from the list.. rather then just make my own.
 
Yeah, I have two HOB's on my 55 gallon. I keep it topped off and only run them at about half flow. I really don't have a lot of surface agitation or air bubbles from it.

I was planning on just running the CO2 from the system to the glass diffuser like BK said but is there anything else that I need to consider since I don't have a cannister filter or pump?
 
I tried the Aquamedic 500 Reactor with the power head, and while it got the job done, it was huge and it broke within a year. After that, I tried the double membrane reactor, and it sucked. Finally, I tried the Seachem 500 reactor and it works great. I was using a single one on my 75 gallon tank for a while and then decided to go with 2 once I added a bunch of new plants to the tank.

At first, I was using two Whisper 3 HOB filters on my 75 and was trying to figure out why I couldn't get the ph and K hardness where I wanted it even with CO2 injection. It seemed like the CO2 was always on. Then, I read about how bad HOB filters are at bleeding off CO2 and I replaced them with a Fluval 405. The 405 was working so great that I bought another one for the tank to use with a skimmer. Then, I decided to go with a Fluval 105 for the skimmer because it didn't need all the power of the 405 and the 405 could be used elsewhere more efficiently. I love canister filters. The reason I was using HOB filters to start with is because I had been using them for 20 years in fish only tanks and when I started with plants I had no idea what I was doing.

The longer you are in this hobby, the more you learn.
 
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