Co2 Questions....

[Irf]

Hi all,
I'm new to pressurised CO2, and I've now got this kit from a guy in Germany.
This kit appears to be good quality, apart from the glass diffuser which seems to release most bubbles from the edge of the ceramic disc where it joins the glass.
I wanted to know a couple of things:

• - I have the solenoid connected to the same timeswitch as the lights - will this avoid the pH swings?
  - What is the best way to get the co2 into the water? I am unconvinced by the glass diffuser sent with the kit. Is this diffuser any good?

All advice gratefully received.....

Irf.

 

[nicklfire]

I have the solenoid connected to the same timeswitch as the lights - will this avoid the pH swings?

Well if you have the co2 on during the night time the plants aint going to be using that co2 because there is no light for photosynthesis so the co2 is just going to polute your water and potential kill your fish with a high co2 content in the water. But is it going to avoid ph swings... yes in a way. You still are going to need a ph drop checker (which you can find on ebay and tons of topics on this) that will tell you how much co2 you got in the water and you can adjust accordingly

What is the best way to get the co2 into the water? I am unconvinced by the glass diffuser sent with the kit. Is this diffuser any good?

Ceramic diffusers are definately the best way, the problem you are having.. i have the first time i hooked up mine, after struggeling with it for a couple hours i just left it , next day i found that the bubbles coming out of the sides were gone and it was going through the ceramic diffuser... i think it just needs some time. You can also find other diffusers on ebay that are better quality than that one. Or you can try a inline reactor which basically goes inline with your canister filter and the bubbles just dissolve that way... (search reactor co2)


Pressurized pretty cool system, im very happy with my current setup accept mine cost 400$ lol... you can click my journal to see it.. anyways that should put you on your way :0
I'd just leave your current diffuser for a couple hours see what progresses.

 

[SuperColey1]

I put my ceramic in about 1 month ago and only now is it starting to go throught centre of the disc.

My drop checker always stayed on green so it was releasing the correct amount so I doubt it matters if the CO2 comes out the side or the middle as long as it is enough.

andy

 

[Irf]

Thanks to both for your responses.

I will give it a while and see what happens with the ceramic disc. I was wondering if it was just a quality issue and that a better diffuser might work better, but I'll wait and see if it changes.

I also though about putting a tiny drop of aquatic silicone in the part of the joint that seems letting the CO2 out. Again, perhaps I'll wait and see.

As you guys have both tried these, perhaps you can tell me another thing?

Is it normal for the "bell" to fill with water? It was empty at first, but day by day more and more water has been entering it. It's almost full now.

Many thanks again.

Irf.

 

[Themuleous]

Is it normal for the "bell" to fill with water?

Yes both mine do it, it isnt a problem and wont affect how the thing works

Sam

 

[Irf]

Great - thanks again.....

Irf.