A Couple Of Questions

[coldcazzie]

I've been looking at [url="http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/Aquarium-Co2-Atomizer-System-Diffuser-08-12mm-D508-08-/160377832375?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item25574383b7]these[/url] and just wanted to be clear on a couple of things.

Firstly, the tube sizes. It comes in 8/12, 12/16 and 18/22. Does that mean the smaller size is for the co2 tubing and the larger size for the filter hose? Just to be annoying my filter hose is 19mm internal diameter also, I'd need bigger tubing for the co2 wouldn't I'd as normal airline sized tubing is none of those sizes...

Secondly, I know the recommendation is to put the reactor/atomiser on the filter outlet, but has anyone put it on the inlet? Surely then it would be even more dissolved because not only has it been through the atomiser but also through the impeller? Or are there issues about whether it would dissolve properly because the water in the pipe is only siphoning out so is at less pressure than the water going back into the tank...?

 

[angelfishguy]

the sizes for example 18/22 will do hoses from 18mm to 22mm so this is the size youll need,

cant help with the other question as i have mine on the outlet hose

 

[Plecostomos Fan]

It may well be my ignorance but I can't understand why you would need to have this device connected to your filtration system, connected to your Co2 unit makes sense, unless it has a dual purpose, please enlighten me as I am sort of confused.

 

[StandbySetting]

The numbers quoted are internal and external diameters 18/22 would indicate 18mm internal and 22 external diameter of the filter hose, the CO2 line is a standard size.

You can put it on the inlet, but some are worried about it ruining impellers, I can't vow for that but whenever I've used an inline diffuser on the outlet, the gas is all dissolved into the solution by the time it exits the hose.

@Plecostomosfan - An internal diffuser is pretty much the same as a glass diffuser, except that it is more discrete and will dissolve the CO2 better as the CO2/water contact time is longer than it would be with a glass diffuser.

 

[coldcazzie]

It may well be my ignorance but I can't understand why you would need to have this device connected to your filtration system, connected to your Co2 unit makes sense, unless it has a dual purpose, please enlighten me as I am sort of confused.

I don't need to I just want to, so that I have less stuff in the actual tank. Same as I would like one of those Rena Smart Heaters: I don't need it - the heater I have is perfectly sufficient - but if I could choose I'd rather have the least amount of miscelaneous equipment in the tank as possible. It is a display tank after all and I'd like it to be mostly fish and plants, rather than loads of equipment!

The numbers quoted are internal and external diameters 18/22 would indicate 18mm internal and 22 external diameter of the filter hose, the CO2 line is a standard size.

You can put it on the inlet, but some are worried about it ruining impellers, I can't vow for that but whenever I've used an inline diffuser on the outlet, the gas is all dissolved into the solution by the time it exits the hose.

Yeah that's what I thought. I want to go for the 18/22 model then yes?

If it doesn't make a right lot of difference then I guess on the outlet would be ok, I just have more pipe to play with on the inlet, plus I was wondering if it would make a difference in terms of how dissolved it would be? If not then I guess it's swings and roundabouts.

 

[StandbySetting]

Yes go for 18mm, if it's a tight fit, boil some water place it in a suitable jug and then place the ends of the hose in it or a minute or two to soften the plastic, then place over the pipes.

It wont make much of a difference in my opinion, when I used one all of the gas was dissolved by the time it came out of the lily pipe and that was when it was connected to the outlet.

 

[coldcazzie]

Yes go for 18mm, if it's a tight fit, boil some water place it in a suitable jug and then place the ends of the hose in it or a minute or two to soften the plastic, then place over the pipes.

It wont make much of a difference in my opinion, when I used one all of the gas was dissolved by the time it came out of the lily pipe and that was when it was connected to the outlet.

Yeah I've done that before for fitting pipes so no worries

And cool thanks! I'll order one of those then.

 

[Plecostomos Fan]

So basicaly this product takes the Co2 directly into the filter and then circulates it around the tank through the outlet? sry for being a bit thick but I havn't heard of this before and I am wanting to replace my current diffusor as I have said in other posts.
But if I didn't ask questions then I would never learn anything.

 

[StandbySetting]

It can take it into the filter but having it on the outlet will be sufficient, it's just another way of distributing CO2, the bubbles will mostly dissolve into the water before they leave the filter pipe, but if not they'll get blown around the tank and dissolve that way.

 

[coldcazzie]

With a normal diffuser, there's always the risk that the co2 bubbles will rise to the surface and just pop into the air - meaning that some of your co2 is wasted. You have to strategically place the diffuser so that the bubbles are caught by the filter flow and circulated around the tank for as long as possible.

With an inline diffuser/atomiser/reactor/whatever the co2 is already dissolved into the water by the time the water leaves the filter output (spraybar/lily pipe), meaning you don't have to worry about diffuser placement and whether or not all your co2 is being ciruclated or just gassing off into the air above the tank.

Or at least, that's the idea. Some are more effective at it than others.

Part of my query was whether putting the atomiser on the filter in pipe would mean it was better dissolved, as not only would it be forced into the water, but any remaining bubbles would be further broken up by their passage through the filter, or whether it would not be as good because the pressure of the water in the pipe would be less than the filter out pipe. Some people have concerns about whether putting it on the filter inlet can damage your impeller - they are designed to push water after all, not bubbles! I've never heard of anyone's filter actually being damaged in this way though...