One last question, if i were to get the hagen system, where would i put the ladder? Because I'm getting a HOB filter(s) I know that co2 placement is important.
INserting Co2 into the tank,
- Thread starter Paintballer99
- Start date
i would put it as far away from your hob's as possible. i have a hob on my tank as well (the 50). they agitate the surface somewhat regardless. having it on the opposite end gives the benefit of having to travel across the whole tank before it's dissipated.
i am running a cascade canister (cheapo emergency buy before vacation) and a whisper 30/60 hob. i am too lazy to lift the lid for ferts so it stays... lol. :grinyes:
i am running a cascade canister (cheapo emergency buy before vacation) and a whisper 30/60 hob. i am too lazy to lift the lid for ferts so it stays... lol. :grinyes:
well that's cause of the way they're planning on keeping the bubbles underwater/reacting them. they plan on small bubbles getting stuck in a downward current. this will react itself through the ladder. also exchanges happen at the surface. this makes hob's a double edge sword that rarely follow the rules. on some filters having it react and break up inside is not a bad thing. in an hob having it go up the tube exposes it to much more surface area than it would be in the tank alone. it hits the surface at large percentages on the way out of the filter. then plummets through the surface once again only to have the gas off still rise out. it's more like a physics thing... and yes it is weird.
funny thing... the atmosphere actually contains more co2 than water likes to hold so even an airpump and stone can add a little. it tends to gas off more when the surface is agitated if you're adding it pure because you're adding it at a much higher concentration which moving water cannot sustain.
funny thing... the atmosphere actually contains more co2 than water likes to hold so even an airpump and stone can add a little. it tends to gas off more when the surface is agitated if you're adding it pure because you're adding it at a much higher concentration which moving water cannot sustain.
I agree that the ladder isn't all it's cut out to be. However, I will say it is a good starting point when beginning with DIY. I initially started with one (still have it too...just don't use it). It was fine for awhile and then it became a wee bit troublesome so I wanted something more.
I then migrated to the Limewood diffusers. Again a very nice option and got micro fine bubbles. Shortly after use, I would develop the gunky buildup on it and sometimes they would turn black. Nothing a wire brush couldn't solve.
I stumbled across a glass diffuser on a bulk purchase I made and decided to give it a whirl. Didn't work right out of the gate with my DIY setup. I wound up having to silicone around the tubes in the bottle caps. They now work extremely well. I place these right next to the sponge prefilters and believe I am getting very nice diffusion in the tank. Drop checker stays constantly green for a long time.
I also use the Jell-O method which enables me to go much, much longer between bottle recharges.
GL with your setup. You're plants will thank you for it. ;o)
I then migrated to the Limewood diffusers. Again a very nice option and got micro fine bubbles. Shortly after use, I would develop the gunky buildup on it and sometimes they would turn black. Nothing a wire brush couldn't solve.
I stumbled across a glass diffuser on a bulk purchase I made and decided to give it a whirl. Didn't work right out of the gate with my DIY setup. I wound up having to silicone around the tubes in the bottle caps. They now work extremely well. I place these right next to the sponge prefilters and believe I am getting very nice diffusion in the tank. Drop checker stays constantly green for a long time.
I also use the Jell-O method which enables me to go much, much longer between bottle recharges.
GL with your setup. You're plants will thank you for it. ;o)
i say if you're thinking about hagen get it. set it up and evaluate you're needs. if you find you need more than definitely try out another type of diffuser. it's a start and that's the important part. once you're familiar with it all the other options make a lot more sense.
good luck... you'll work it out.
good luck... you'll work it out.
^^ right - you've seen a ton of options & variations, so it's up to you to figure out what will work well for you.
If you go ladder, it doesn't need to be under the filter. If you go airstone, you can use the filter waterfall effect to help delay bubbles reaching the surface.
In any event, HOBs are generally not helpful in terms of keeping CO2 in the water, but they can also help prevent overdoing it... it's all checks and balance w/ DIY. At any rate, having a drop checker may help you sleep better at night, especiall if you get aggressive w/ DIY CO2.
If you go ladder, it doesn't need to be under the filter. If you go airstone, you can use the filter waterfall effect to help delay bubbles reaching the surface.
In any event, HOBs are generally not helpful in terms of keeping CO2 in the water, but they can also help prevent overdoing it... it's all checks and balance w/ DIY. At any rate, having a drop checker may help you sleep better at night, especiall if you get aggressive w/ DIY CO2.
With the Hagen system, diffusion is not going to be the main problem. The container is not going to be large enough to make a sufficient batch for a 20L. You only get about 10 gallons worth of CO2 out of that thing...
