Diffuser/reactor/needle wheel

[belladee]

I have a 75 gallon with 2x54w T5HO's and 1 regular fluorescent flora grow. I planted and everything looked great but now there is algae and the plants are getting somewhat brown so I decided on CO2.

I think I understand the tank end of it all but am a bit confused at the other end.

It seems to me you can attach the tube that is going to give off the CO2 to the tank in a few different ways...

a diffuser, a reactor, a needle wheel (power head) and a last option perhaps just hooking it up through the filter?

Is that correct?

Which of these is the most effective way to get the CO2 distributed to the tank?

Id like to do it the best way the 1st time

 

[Gerryd]

Hi,

Many choices here. Also depends on the setup you have now and whether you want an internal (diffusor or reactor) or external (reactor or needle wheel).

If you have a sump, a needle wheel will work nicely, as will a reactor.

Do you mind stuff in the tank? What type of filter do you have now?

More info will result in better advice.

 

[belladee]

I have an Eheim classic and a rena powerhead. I also have an elete mini that i have put away in a drawer that ive read people use also for "misting"

I dont mind stuff in the tank but if it is all the same it is better to have less in the tank.

 

[Orlando]

I really like needle wheel pumps for large tanks. They are easy to install and maintenance free.

 

[shoggoth43]

Do you mind seeing bubbles in the tank? Some people do, so for them some sort of reactor will be a pretty good option.

Flow in the tank is very important as well. If you don't mind some bubbles here and there, placing the CO2 tube into the inlet on a powerhead is a pretty good option. The bubbles will get chopped up by the impeller and blasted around the tank dissolving as they go or sticking to the plants. The powerhead will give you some additional flow which is useful.

-
S

 

[belladee]

I decided on the Hagen mini airstone modification and went to the LFS today to get the air stone and they didnt have it.

I did see a zoo med power sweep. It didnt have a needle wheel but did have a different kind of impeller
http://www.bigalsonline.com/edealinv...rison+Shopping

I liked how the powerhead moves side to side and was wondering if this would have the same misting effect as the Hagen mini with the air stone modification? or be as effective?

Thanks

 

[tim85]

I really like needle wheel pumps for large tanks. They are easy to install and maintenance free.

Is/are there needle wheel pumps that I can but off the shelf that does not need any mod for our planted aquaria? What would you recommend for a 180g ?

 

[shoggoth43]

Rio makes a couple but I have no idea if they're any good. The RVT series. There's a Danner? pump as well. If you look around for the pumps the reefers use for their protein skimmers you can find them. Often times any "mods" needed are an impeller swap you can buy as a separate part/kit for the pump in question.

-
S

 

[Tom Barr]

A rio 800 ought to do the trick, snip the impeller blades into 3 sections and bend them back away from eachother. See other needle wheel thread.

Drill a hole and add the CO2 in there.

Plug the solenoid for CO2 into a timer. You can also aerate with this by adding a small tiny air pump and have the time go on about 30 minutes after the lights go off and then turn off the air pump 30 min before the CO2/lights come on.

Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[Panda]

I did see a zoo med power sweep. It didnt have a needle wheel but did have a different kind of impeller

I liked how the powerhead moves side to side and was wondering if this would have the same misting effect as the Hagen mini with the air stone modification? or be as effective?

A rio 800 ought to do the trick, snip the impeller blades into 3 sections and bend them back away from eachother. See other needle wheel thread.

Drill a hole and add the CO2 in there.

Tom Barr

Or do both !! I have a powersweep on a 90G and enjoy the powersweep action and it has holes on the impeller...works great. I do have another one around here and will do the impeller modifications that Tom suggest, which I think is a great simple idea.