Co2 System All Ordered!

[TrickySpot]

Pretty excited about my CO2 system, will post photos when it all arrives.....just one question though, my DIY systems all use push on fittings, do I have to get a diffuser with the screw/compression type fitting when using pressurized CO2?
 
Also, the glass diffusers start out great with tiny bubbles the first few days, then a white substance builds up on them and the bubbles get bigger and bigger (less and less able to be absorbed!), does anybody know what is chemically going on here?
 
Thanks, will post photos once its all installed!
 
 

 

[mike455555]

my guess is its limescale if so soak it in vinger over night (or have 2 and swap them soaking 1 then the other) for my DIY one i used fag filters worked well(fitted in airline) but dont look to good and no you shouldent need more than push fittings as the pressure of the CO2 should be reduced to a manageable amount by the regulator 

 

[Zikofski]

i use push and compression fittings for my pressurised co2 the only time push fittings will not work is if there is a block and obviously they will pop off no problems for me tho so far but with your possible limescale problem you shouldn't get limescale in a fish tank I've never seen that before, your de-clorinator not take it out? but vinegar will remove it like mike said 

 

[DrRob]

I've seen scale in fish tanks, although I'd be somewhat surprised to see it around a CO2 diffuser, as it should be a fairly acidic environment at the plate.
 
Now all sorts of other things will react and gather around the diffuser plates, and some of them need the occasional bleeching to get them running properly again.

 

[TrickySpot]

I'm done with the glass diffusers, now that I've found the wooden ones, its them all the way.

 

[mike455555]

wooden diffusers? 

 

[TrickySpot]

LOL
 
Yes!
 
IMHO,
 
1. airstones give the biggest bubbles,
2. Glass diffusers with ceramic discs are next
3. My LFS sells wooden blocks with a air hose attachment, it releases such small bubbles it's more like a mist

 

[daizeUK]

I've tried glass, ceramic and wooden diffusers.
 
I found the wooden diffuser got dirty really quickly although the bubbles were fine,
 
I currently use a Fluval ceramic diffuser in one tank and nano glass diffuser in the other and I give both a bleach dip every week to keep the bubbles fine.
 
Thin bleach solution with no perfume additives, leave the diffuser/disc soaking in neat bleach for 10-20 minutes then rinse well and dunk into a strong dechlorinator solution for a few more minutes.  Rinse again and it's good as new.