Co2 Pressurized System...?s

[RRasco]

i am trying to put togethor a pressurized co2 system for my 55 gallon tank. i am looking at getting the milwaukee regulator with a solenoid and bubble counter.

http/www.aquacave.com/detail.aspx?ID=4

and i also know that i need a reactor. i have seen different types of these, some with pumps and some with out.

WITH PUMP:
http/www.aquacave.com/detail.aspx?ID=434

WITHOUT PUMP:
http/www.aquacave.com/detail.aspx?ID=9

question being...is a pump necessary? is the one without a pump just merely that, and you have to buy the pump additionally? or can you just hook the silicone tubing up to the reactor? or is a reactor even necessary and can i just use a bubble diffuser instead?

Diffuser:
http/www.aquacave.com/detail.aspx?ID=232

other than the cylinder and tubing, are there any additional components that i have not mentioned? or recomended brands of regs, diffusers or reactors? thanks in advance guys and girls.

 

[anodized]

i picked up the JBJ regulator and an aqualine buschke membrane reactor (4 chamber)

i'm a little worried about the dreaded tank dump syndrome, should be solved though by keeping an eye on it each week. i tested the regulator/solenoid, no loss of CO2 through the regulator in several days. still waiting for the diffuser to come in the mail.

the yeast into the intake tube method is causing my pump to prime itself occasionally, so i went with the pressurized method.

afaik best diffusion of co2 will happen when there's good water flow for the CO2 to dissolve into. i'm going to put a small pump beside the diffuser in the tank and hide the whole bunch among the plants.

good luck picking a diffuser, i've seen some glass ones but imho they're too pricey and will still probably waste co2

 

[RRasco]

the question still being....are reactors and diffusers practically the same thing, just different methods? and with reactors, is a pump necessary?

 

[Themuleous]

Mate forget the reactor, not only is it not really necessary, but those are chuffing huge compared to a diffuser!

There is probably an argument that a reactor diffuses more CO2 into the water and therefore keeps CO2 usage down but they are well ugly IMHO. That diffuser would work just as well and is far more discrete, or you could try a glass diffuser like this one, which looks the business IMO. A diffuser is also cheaper

Sam

 

[RRasco]

thanks...that is exactly what i wanted to know...figured there were opinions that one is better than the other, but its not necessary. thanks again.

 

[Themuleous]

No probs