Looking for some help with CO2 Diffusion

[vosstc]

I'm trying to find the best set-up for my tank and having a hard time deciding so I thought maybe I should just ask the experts

I'm trying to work with a standard 180 gallon tank. The current setup is amazonia soil, 9x55 watt PC lighting, pressurized CO2, an eheim 2260 (502 gph) and 2215 (160 gph). The current diffuser is an aqua medic 1000 inline on the 2215, which is obviously not ideal. Both pumps are set-up with the spray bars that came with them and the 2217 is below that of the 2260 pushing water from the right side of the tank to the left (where the intakes are)

Now with a somewhat limited budge I'd like to over-haul the plumbing to work with a new diffuser. I'd prefer something inline and was thinking a diy diffuser as what Tom had posted. I'd also be up for trying a mazzei, but from what I understand I'd need a separate pump for that which I don't really want to do that.

The two filters would need to remain on 2 separate loops right? Also if I should add a DIY diffuser what would be the best dimensions for it? Should I make a new spray bar?

Thanks everyone for the help already with all the information around here!

 

[vosstc]

Maybe this belongs in the new to aquariums section?

 

[Tom Barr]

Well, I'd add more current overall, the Ehiems are pretty wimpy for the tank.
I'd add another Rio 1100 or something.
These are cheap and relatively small.

The impeller can be modified and snipped to make a needle wheel, this is what I use on my 180 Gal, I recently took out the Iwaki and added 2 Rena XP3's and in line heaters.

I still have another maxi jet with a boat propeller to add 2000gph on top of this and mixes the CO2 and has a high current in the tank.
Overall, this reduced the labor and energy requirement, but it's still a high flow tank and well mixed.

Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[vosstc]

Alright, so maybe the best addition would be another dedicated pump with the diffuser in that loop. Would 1 DIY diffuser, 3x24" be enough for diffusion with a spray bar that sat along the bottom of the tank?