I've been experimenting a bit with various types of CO2 misting systems, and I want to pass on to my fellow aquarists (in my case a very loose term) what I personally feel for me is the best setup, especially for larger and longer tanks. I'll include web sites for procuring some of the materials I used, but there may well be some other firms with better prices, more favorable location, etc., but these are the locations and people I have dealt with and found to be efficient and reputable. Material substitution can probably done as well, it's the distribution of the CO2 that's important. I will add that there is quite a bit of misting that does occur with this system, but by adding or decreasing the flow of CO2 through a needle valve, the individual should be able to minimize the visual effect of the misting.
I have a 75 gallon tank, roughly 18"x18"x48". I mount a Rio 600 RVT pump, (available at http://www.marinedepot.com/md viewI...dproduct=TA3191) to the aft, lower left wall of the tank (as you view the tank from the front), so the output of the pump is as close to the substrate as possible, and pumping water along the length of the back wall. I place a short piece of Eheim tubing 12/16mm (available at Big Al's Online at http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalogu/product.xml?product_id=25085;category_id=2627) over the outlet of the pump. I then use a short piece of Eheim 16/22mm ( available at Big Al's Online at http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/product.xml?product_id=25079;category_id=2627 ) to connect the pump to a 39" long, 3/8" clear PVC pipe, with approximately 15 #40 (3/32") drill bit holes drilled evenly along the length of the tube in a straight line, with the holes pointing to the front of the tank. The clear PVC pipe ( available at http://www.clearpvcpipe.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=121 )was selected for aesthetic purposes, but CPVC pipe, 1/2", could also be used, which would be cheaper, but is off white in color, and very noticeable in my tank. 1/2" suction cups are used in 3 places to secure the pipe to the aft tank wall.
The misting has been terrific. The main advantage with this system is this- I have 15 separate dispersion points for points for the CO2, not a singular, inefficient outlet that requires a high pump output to disperse it, blowing plants all over the place. Admittedly, the pipe is there and visible, but there always seems to be some sort of compromise that needs to be made with almost any system or procedure. Outlet pressure could be increased or decreased by adding/deleting some of the holes, using a smaller/larger pump, et., that's up to the individual. I cannot say enough about this, I've tried stones, reactors, etc.,but nothing comes close to this.
I need to apologize to everyone, my computer skills are limited, or I would have included a diagram, and a direct method to access these websites. Best of luck with this, feel free to contact me if you need more help.
Walter :gw
I have a 75 gallon tank, roughly 18"x18"x48". I mount a Rio 600 RVT pump, (available at http://www.marinedepot.com/md viewI...dproduct=TA3191) to the aft, lower left wall of the tank (as you view the tank from the front), so the output of the pump is as close to the substrate as possible, and pumping water along the length of the back wall. I place a short piece of Eheim tubing 12/16mm (available at Big Al's Online at http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalogu/product.xml?product_id=25085;category_id=2627) over the outlet of the pump. I then use a short piece of Eheim 16/22mm ( available at Big Al's Online at http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/product.xml?product_id=25079;category_id=2627 ) to connect the pump to a 39" long, 3/8" clear PVC pipe, with approximately 15 #40 (3/32") drill bit holes drilled evenly along the length of the tube in a straight line, with the holes pointing to the front of the tank. The clear PVC pipe ( available at http://www.clearpvcpipe.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=121 )was selected for aesthetic purposes, but CPVC pipe, 1/2", could also be used, which would be cheaper, but is off white in color, and very noticeable in my tank. 1/2" suction cups are used in 3 places to secure the pipe to the aft tank wall.
The misting has been terrific. The main advantage with this system is this- I have 15 separate dispersion points for points for the CO2, not a singular, inefficient outlet that requires a high pump output to disperse it, blowing plants all over the place. Admittedly, the pipe is there and visible, but there always seems to be some sort of compromise that needs to be made with almost any system or procedure. Outlet pressure could be increased or decreased by adding/deleting some of the holes, using a smaller/larger pump, et., that's up to the individual. I cannot say enough about this, I've tried stones, reactors, etc.,but nothing comes close to this.
I need to apologize to everyone, my computer skills are limited, or I would have included a diagram, and a direct method to access these websites. Best of luck with this, feel free to contact me if you need more help.
Walter :gw
