Co2 - Glass Diffuser Or Ladder

[Smalleyboy]

I'm about to set up a pressurised CO2 system and was wondering what is the best way to diffuse the CO2 into the tank. I have looked at glass diffusers with a ceramic top/diffuser but note that they might need a bit of regular cleaning. The other alternative is a ladder system such as that used by Dennerle. My concern is that I want to diffuse the CO2 at the back of the tank and when all planted up it won't be that easy to see the diffuser and assess if it needs cleaning.

What does everyone else use and what are your thoughts on the most reliable means of diffusion.

Tank info is 300 litre, 2.05WPG, will be heavily planted, pressurised CO2 bottle, community set up.

 

[Jen]

I find I have less problems with the glass on with my pressurized system. The ladder never seemed to hold the bubbles in. I really like the glass one. Smaller and easier to hide.

 

[Smalleyboy]

Jen,

Do you need to clean the ceramic diffuser regularly?

 

[Themuleous]

For a tank that size I would get a glass diffuser. Apart from their ability to increase diffusion of CO2 into the water (because they created very small bubbles that have a massive surface area, increasing diffusion) they are also far more discrete IMHO. And BTW a ladder diffuser needs cleaning too from time to time

The other option you have would be to get a CO2 'reactor'. This goes on the outside of the tank (that's another bit of kit that's not taking up space in the tank ) and attaches to the external filter outlet.

Example 1
Example 2

Or you could pipe the CO2 directly into the intake of your filter, George did that and it looks simple enough to do if you have the bits spare.

Sam

EDIT - to clean my glass diffusers I just leave them in a diluted bleach solution for an hr or so, then replace it when a dilute dechlorinator solution for another hr or so, that usually gets rid of any algae build up.

 

[Smalleyboy]

Thanks for that.
I hadn't considered an external reactor but as my tank is a Juwel, it has an internal filter and therefore I think I shall go for a glass diffuser.

Just got to assemble all the kit and test it before ordering the plants.

Do most people use a non return valve on their setups and if so where is the best place to place it? I have a night time shut off solenoid and guess that it and the regulator need protection from any back siphoning of water and therefore the valve should be between them and the tank. Do you agree?

 

[Spinal]

I too would go with a reactor. Imho, ladders should be limited to small tanks and yeast systems. I have found that I need to clean my ladder alot more often than the glass "bell" diffuser I bought on eBay. With the ladder, even the snails get in the way, and love laying their eggs on them!

A reactor has the advantage of diffusing 100% of Co2 you pump into it. Also, its unobtrusive and quite easy to maintain. Its disadvantages are that it will slightly reduce water flow from your filter (if you connect it to the outlet of your filter), and they can be expensive to buy. You can make them yourself with some PVC pipe, some bio-balls and some tube connectors for 10/15£ though...

A NRV is absolutely neccesary. Simple
Michele

 

[Themuleous]

Yeh wack on a non-return valve, they are cheaper than having to replace a regulator when you get backflow! And trust me you will get backflow at some point! Put it between the regulator/solenoid and the diffuser, if using a separate bubble counter between that and the reg/solenoid.

Sam

 

[themissingelf]

I faced the same dilema a short while ago... Settled on the Azoo diffuser, which is plastic. I've avoid glass in the tank cos I know I'll break it in the tank and can't face having to empty the whole thing. The Azoo is my only experience of this type of diffuser but I can't fault it.

 

[Fillet 'O' Fish]

I use a Dennerle ladder in my 450 litre tank with no problems. It works fine. It came with a pressurised dennerle CO2 set for tanks up to 600 litres.
I would not necessarily agree that ladders are only for small tanks or Dennerel would not sell them with their set ups, and their top end range go up to 1500 litres.
One thing I would agree on is that they do get covered in algae, but you can open them up to clean them. They are also unsightly compared with your glass bell diffusers.

 

[Smalleyboy]

Thanks for all the feddback. I am going to go for a spiral glass diffuser with a ceramic disc. Will post some pics once I get it set up.