More CO2 questions?

L

Lucas Kane

AC Members
Oct 10, 2005
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Hey guys I was looking through the CO2 injection sticky and it helped me with a few things and I have DIY CO2 setup now but I was hopping to get some clarification. So just tell m if im getting this right :D

The CO2 builds up in the bottle then goes through the tube into the tank. Would putting the tube under the substrate diffuse the CO2? also someone mentioned putting the tube into the filter intake would that work? or would it just give more time for the CO2 to escape. I guess im just not getting how the CO2 is reaching the plants lol im sorry if this is a stupid question
 
Me too!

Yeah, I don't really get it either, and sorry for interupting your thread :)
 
CO2 will reach the plants in dissolved form. This means that you want to dissolve all the CO2 that you produce. It will dissolve when you divide your big bubbles from the tube into really small bubbles. Just putting the tube under the gravel won't achieve that.

Putting the outlet tube into the inlet tube of the filter is not a bad idea, because there the impeller will divide the bubbles from the tube into small bubbles. You might lose some CO2, because it will be immediately subjected to the surface turbulences at the filter outlet (and the filter may get loud or stop working). Dissolving the CO2 far below the tank surface is more efficient. Most people use diffusers. I heard that limewood airstones might work, though they are not the best idea. You can buy some cheap glass diffusers on ebay. Another way would be to put the tube outlet of your CO2 line sideways into the outlet stream of a powerhead (not directly into the venturi!), which implies at least the cost of a powerhead and a bit of DIY (or more money for buying a ready solution). The last solution is something like diffusion ladders, which double as bubble counters. Hagen produces one for below $10.

I hope you guys use check valves and some safety vessel in your CO2 line. Good luck with your project!
 
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Thanks alot Ulan that explains many things :D

So simply placing the tube into the tank wont do it heh well as far as difusing the CO2 bubbles wont an airstone creat more oxygen and carry the bubbles to the surface?
 
Nope, you want the CO2 to diffuse into the water. If you just stick the tube into the water, the CO2 bubble will rise to the surface within seconds and you'll just waste it.

You can go to Aquatic Eco Systems and get one of these: http://www.aquaticeco.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/product.detail/iid/9751

They work pretty well. Or like Ulan said, a good diffuser from eBay will work well. With CO2, you don't want any air pumps since the turbulence of the bubbles from the air pump will outgas the CO2 and waste it.
 
Ok so if im understanding this which I think I am now thanks heh :D

Would this work?
I hope its the right thing but if not could some1 check out petsmarts website and pick one out for me heh. The reason I say petsmart is because I have a gift card and its close to my house :P thanks you have all been very helpful in clarifying things for me

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I don't think those will work. I have one of those for emergency aeration (like during medication), and they make very large bubbles. At least my Petsmart doesn't sell any airstones suitable for CO2 delivery.
 
Hmmm that puts me in sort of a bind. Are there any suitable homemade diffusers I could make?
 
For the beginning, just try them. They are cheap. The limewood ones have finer bubbles, if you can find those. Place them near the bottom of the tank so that most of the CO2 dissolves when the bubbles rise.
 
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