CO2 diffusers...which one for a 40watt LED

[anteleon]

hi guys,

I've been experimenting with different diffusers over the past few weeks. I was wondering which diffuser you would recommend me using for a 15gallon with a 40 watt LED emitter fixture. Im starting to get just a touch of algae growth, on the glass, I am also doing EI dosing+ GH booster. So it would indicate that at the last few days my CO2 has been too low. In the last few days, I have been using Tom's style yeast diffuser using the viewtainer container. As i said while using this diffuser the fish havent onced complained, as in gone to the surface to gasp for air, this hasn't happened at all while using this diffuser. I am also running about 2.5 bubbles per second using this diffuser and the diffuser seems to be operating correctly, venturi functioning normal, etc. I know the light I am using is quite intense, 40w LED is alot of light, especially for such a small tank. The tank is a Fluval Edge Tall by the way. Perhaps i need to use a different different diffuser with this amount of light. I have 2 other diffusers, one a cheap chinese glass amano style in tank diffuser, the other a GLA (green leaf aquariums) 65mm diffuser. I experienced complaints from my fish with the chinese diffuser when i was running too many bubbles per second, and with the GLA diffuser i experienced almost instant fatalities with high bubbles per second with that diffuser. You should have seen it, literally my pepperment bristlenose look like he was asleep upside down on a plant leave, it was quite scary, i immediately disconnected the gas input and ran my Aquaclear Hang-On filter to try to lower the CO2 in the water before anyone in the tank died. Luckily my bristlenose and other fish survived the GLA diffuser! I dont really like the chinese diffuser, the GLA diffuser is a very good diffuser but i think its overkill for my tank, nothing wrong with it, i just bought the wrong size diffuser from GLA for this tank size. Thumbs up to GLA by the way these diffuser really are great. I'm now scared of using the GLA diffuser because of its incredibly high performance, i really dont want my 40USD peppermint bristlenose to die. I guess i could down grade my light a little, but i really like the light i chose for this tank, its a 14K LED fixture that was quite expensive and works well for me, regarding color output and size fo the actual fixture as it fit on top of my Edge really well. Also to note, im using pressurized CO2 with a solenoid.

So in summary, essentially my question is, is the Tom Barr style viewtainer diffuser enough for a small tank, with very high light?? or should i try the GLA diffuser with a low bubble rate??

thanks guys,

will let you know the results,

cheers,

anteleon.

 

[mathman]

You could try to lower the pressure (less bps) using the GLA diffuser; however, I'm not sure if it will work as some are rated to be used high pressure. Either way it never hurts to try.

 

[Original]

As i see it, the diffuser which creates the smallest bubbles and has the co2 merge into the water the most efficient saves gas, and in turn, money. Find out which one is most efficient and adjust your flow rate to compensate using a drop checker to estimate the rate of flow for maximum photosynthesis and least impact on fauna. Its very basic. You want all the co2 in the water, in amounts safe for the creatures you are keeping.

The larger the surface area the lower the pressure needed to force gas though it, so depending on diffuser you should have to change flow rate accordingly to create a suitable exchange.

Why downgrade lighting? all you need to address is safe amounts of co2. Twiddle your needle valve until you find the sweet spot.