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New Glass Inline CO2 Diffuser from Cal Aqua Labs

Discussion in 'CO2 Enrichment' started by shane, Jan 12, 2007.

  1. shane

    shane Lifetime Charter Member
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    I got an email from Cal Aqua Labs. They have a new glass inline CO2 diffuser. What do you guys think of this?

    Here is the link:

    CAL AQUA LABS - CO2 Glassware
     
    #1 shane, Jan 12, 2007
  2. VaughnH

    VaughnH Lifetime Charter Member
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    It looks like it would be a very nice looking diffuser. But, why would you care what it looks like if it is under the tank in the cabinet? So, that's one strike against it. Then, it is awfully small for an inline external diffuser, with a minimum of dwell time for the CO2 bubbles in the slower water flow. (Two strikes) And, if it is connected as they show, it doesn't even have the advantage of counterflow to increase the dissolving of the CO2. (Three strikes!)
     
    #2 VaughnH, Jan 12, 2007
  3. shane

    shane Lifetime Charter Member
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    I agree with the fact that perhaps making a external CO2 diffuser out of glass is not needed (extra costs and more chance of breakage). I do like the idea of being able to do C02 misting externally; IF it works well. I personally am trying to keep as much equipment out of the tank as possible. I like the clean look inside a tank. No heaters, powerheads, cables, etc. That is why I have been using CO2 reactors instead of diffusers. Of course, there may be tradeoff doing that. A nice clean look with not optimal performance.

    Wether this external CO2 diffuser actually works is to be seen. Is it equivalent to having the diffuser in the tank? Do you lose performance by doing it externally?
     
    #3 shane, Jan 12, 2007
  4. Tom Barr

    Tom Barr Founder
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    I like it.
    Looks well made, but making it out of glass is not really needed as it's out of view, but..........why place it out of view?
    Slap on the return away from the tank light etc, but where you can see it.
    Add a Ruby check valve/bubble counter and you can eye ball the flow rate.

    I admit it's small, 160 GPH is not much, the point is that this is not based on dissolving the CO2 per se............it's firing CO2 mist into the outflow of the Canister filter out put.

    You can use a venturi in the same fashion and this is perhaps better for larger systems or where glassware might be broken.

    The other thing about a venturi, it reduces flow, this should not do that at all.
    The venturi only has a suction positive pressure, this will has negative backpressure, so a check valve it needed, and while a venturi should have a check valve as well, it's often never needed.

    I ordered one out of curiosity.
    The glassware knock offs of ADA is a good idea.

    I think they'd do well to run a deal with Mike at Aquatic magic and import a lot of Rhinox diffusers and other ADA like knocks offs, as the local shipping etc will help build their market.

    I think competition is good for ADA.
    They act like they are the only player on the court when it comes to such things.

    I have some vendors that make great tanks like ADA for about 60-70% less.
    The only thing I really need from ADA now is the Soil.
    I know how to make it, but I'm not about to get into the making products for the hobby.

    Maybe Greg at SeaChem will develop some.
    I'll ask him to develop a pH/CO2/KH ref "CO2 alert" for our tanks also and also sell KH ref solution at 10KH and folks cna then dilute to whatever range they are interested from there.

    I know Greg' will be very accurate, more so than any of us about that.

    Regards,
    Tom Barr
     
    #4 Tom Barr, Jan 12, 2007
  5. shane

    shane Lifetime Charter Member
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    I suppose one could put the external CO2 mister in plain sight inside the stand along with a bubble counter and check vaalve. In my new setup that is where I plan to have it, all in the cabinet.

    Let us know how well the external CO2 diffuser works Tom.

    I saw a post on the PLanted Tank about somebody in Oregon selling the Rhinox glass diffusers for cheaper than Aquatic Magic.

    I think it would be nice to have some precision KH reference solution availiable to buy as well.
     
    #5 shane, Jan 12, 2007
  6. Tom Barr

    Tom Barr Founder
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    I left a message for Greg Morin to make the KH ref solution as well as a pH/CO2/KH ref alert like their Ph and Ammonia alert type visual test kits.

    Hopefully they will do that.
    I have a small 20 gallon I'll try the Cal Labs diffuser on.
    I think once you get into the larger sizes, about 200-300gph, the venturis are better idea, so this is useful for small tanks that cannot really use the venturis.



    Regards,
    Tom Barr
     
    #6 Tom Barr, Jan 12, 2007
  7. edacsac

    edacsac Prolific Poster

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    How did that diffuser work out for ya? I might try one.
     
    #7 edacsac, Mar 7, 2007
  8. Tom Barr

    Tom Barr Founder
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    Still have not gotten around to it honestly.

    Regards,
    Tom Barr
     
    #8 Tom Barr, Mar 8, 2007
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