My idea for C02 injection

[Wrench]

I'm working on my DIY CO2 setup today, and this is how it went. I have the outlet tube from my fluval exiting into the reservoir of an only power filter that I have hanging off the back of the tank.I did this a few months ago b/c the fluval was creating too much current and with it set up this way I have less turbulent tank water but still maintain excellent surface turbulance. I have made two 2 liter bottles daisy chained together as my reactor and have the airstone from the reactor right next to the outlet of my Fluval. This puts the bubbles right into the path of the water returning to the tank. Inside the reservoir, the water is very turbulent before it re-enters the tank, so I think this will allow for better diffusion than just an airstone submerged in the tank. It's kinda inbetween the airstone method and powerhead method of diffusion.

What do you all think? Suggestions? Comments? Tips? I'll let you know how it works.

 

[djlen]

It can be dangerous to use an air stone at the end of the gas line. They tend to load up with a snot like substance when using DIY/CO2 and clog over time, causing back pressure into the bottles. I have seen explosions occur from this.
If possible, run your line directly into the intake of the filter for dispersal.

Len

 

[deocder]

with it set up this way I have less turbulent tank water but still maintain excellent surface turbulance

In a planted tank you want to have the least amount of turbulence no matter where the water is. Anywhere there is turbulence, you are losing CO2.

I have made two 2 liter bottles daisy chained together as my reactor and have the airstone from the reactor right next to the outlet of my Fluval.

The two liter bottles with your sugar/yeast mixture is not the reactor. The reactor is your airstone which is not a very effective way to dissolve the bubbles. I also suggest to not daisy chain the bottles. Instead run each bottles airtube into a gang valve. Doing it this way will allow you to shut off the supply on the bottle that you are switching out to recharge. Otherwise you will lose pressure in the daisy chain scenario.

I just put this together last night:

It is an inline reactor placed on the intake side of my canister filter. Prior to this setup I was running my co2 into the intake on my powerhead. I hope to increase the efficiency with this inline reactor.

 

[happychem]

Or even just run the two bottles to a T connector then have a single line going to your filter intake. Yes, there the input does shut down while you're replacing one bottle, but it only takes about half an hour and I don't think that the CO2 levels drop that much. Besides, I try to change my bottles in the evening close to or after lights out, that way while the new bottle is getting going, the plants aren't looking for CO2.

You may actually want to go with 3 bottles into a union. I've got 2 going using the above setting into a powerhead reactor for my 33g and it keeps the CO2 conc pretty steady around 25ppm. For a 55, it may be worth a 3rd bottle, changing one every week.

 

[djlen]

The method happychem describes is the way I did it when I used DIY. Keep a third bottle clean and mix up the recipe in it and cap it for a few minutes. Then pull the older bottle off at the 'T' and plug in the new one. Never used a gang valve, but it's a good idea.

deocder - If you could list the PVC parts you used to make that reactor, and where you got them, I would appreciate it.

Len

 

[happychem]

The method happychem describes is the way I did it when I used DIY.

Not surprising since you gave me the idea in the first place!

 

[Wrench]

I ended up using two bottles, one at each end of the tank all the way at the bottom. I used open airline with a check valve towards the end and they're each bubbling away.