Problem with CO2 diffusing???

Ramphonic

Ramphonic

AC Members
Mar 31, 2009
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So I've been having these problems with BBA and other algae. I have lowered the light in there and it seemed to help. I just bought a red sea CO2 indicator and it shows the level is low in the tank. Are these 100% accurate?? Right now I am diffusing DIY CO2 through a powerhead and the tank is full of micro bubbles.

is there a better way to diffuse this??? Without buying expensive injected that I cant afford.
 
could you give some more information? (i.e. size of tank, type of CO2 system, water kH if you have a kit for that, bubble rate, etc.)
 
I've been incredibly successful with a version of this diffuser: http://www.barrreport.com/articles/41-diy-internal-reactor-great-yeast-co2-users.html

I also had decent results taking what you've got already, sticking a an extra gravel siphon on out outflow, and pointing it downward. For your 29g you probably need to chop part of the gravel vac off. Ideally, you'll additionally create a swirl in the gravel vac with an elbow. If you add the loopback deal to this assembly, then you'll have basically the same thing as the aforementioned diffuser.

Now, you may still need more than one bottle of CO2 going, too. For a 50gal, I had two 2-liter bottles going and rotated one of them out at a time about weekly so that one of them was always peaking as the other dies.

I'm not sure which one is the preferred recipe for co2, is it still the jello mixture? For how long has your mixture been going?

To be perfectly honest, I'd suggest watching for inexpensive (but quality) pressurized components: I ebay'ed a new cylinder for about $50 shipped and a regulator/solenoid deal for 90. If you can find used stuff, then you'll be able to get these things for even less. (A used cylinder is fine as long as it's current on hydrostatic test because you'll swap it out anyway.)

In the extremely long run, I think you'll make up the extra cost in time, sugar, yeast, and frustration. Maybe sell some plants to offset the cost a little, too. But give the DIY diffuser a shot, and possibly tweak your solution/configuration to give a little more gas. and good luck!

Sam
 
I dont know what that solution is but if its in the red sea kit then yes

I have one DIY 2 liter bottle. I will not put 2 as this tank is already full of mist bubbles from it.

I have a ahsupply 55w kit over it. As of a few days ago i pulled the reflector out to knock down the light amount.
 
I'd first see what happens after diffusing the co2 a little more. Like I said earlier, that reactor works great. I think there's a thread on this forum about the gravel vac reactor, too. Works fine. I'm thinking those tiny bubbles probably need to have a little more contact time before they float up to the top and dissipate.

Sam
 
I'm not sure of what to look for in a pressurized used systm. I know I need a regulator. But do i just get the bottle from airgas??? or something like that?
 
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