D I Y In-line C O 2 Reactor

[George Farmer]

I've been thinking of ways to keep as much equipment out of my tank as possible for when I set it all up again.

I previously ran the CO2 output straight into my filter inlet. This worked fine but there was an extra hose running down the filter pipe and there was a slight noise. I also used a glass-type diffuser with success but this again was too visible for my liking.

So I've come up with this idea.

Equipment

Nutrafin CO2 canister
Two sections of correctly sized rigid pipe
Bio-balls (or cut up pieces of filter sponge etc.)
Silicon sealant
Drill

Method

1. Two holes are drilled, one in each end of the canister large enough to fit the rigid pipes
2. Rigid pipes are siliconed in place
3. Canister is filled with bio-balls
4. Output of external external filter hose is connected in-line to each end
5. CO2 output connected to "nipple"

And that's it.

Water flows through the canister and churns up the CO2 bubbles. The bio-balls ensure the CO2 is dissolved, hopefully before it reaches the output. The CO2-rich water then flows out into the tank.

I have no idea how well this may work. I imagine with high flow rates the CO2 may not get the chance to dissolve fully. Also I'm not how filter flow rates will be affected.

In theory though I think it's a good idea and very cheap to make, especially if you have an old Nutrafin canister that's not being used (like me).

Any feedback very welcome.

 

[gt568]

Interesting theory, but I think you may have a point about pressurized co2 dissolving before being released into the tank. I tried something similar with my JBL, due to the fact that the diffuser is somewhat inelegant, shall we say. I ran the output of the cylinder into the bottom of the internal filter of my rio 240, but I found that I was losing massive amounts of co2 and my levels dropped dramatically. However I had great success with DIY co2 and this method, it just didn't transfer to pressurized for me.

 

[Themuleous]

Interesting idea, dont think Ill try it myself for the time being but would be keen to know how well it works

Sam

 

[George Farmer]

Thanks George and Sam.

Of course the other option is to place it in-line with the filter input, rather than the output - like a pre-filter/CO2 reactor. This way any undissolved CO2 bubbles would effectively dissolve in the filter.

The only downside to this is that the unit would need cleaning regularly. At least this would be easy because of the Nutrafin canister design - unscrew the lid and rinse.

 

[ChrisP]

Sounds like it would work to me I have seen similar designs to that before.

Only problem I see is getting the piping water tight as those nutrafin units arent perfectly flat on the top or bottom.

 

[simonbrown403]

Sounds good to me, I've been looking at a similar thing here all the stuff needed is easy to buy from the plumbers merchants, but its even better when you have the stuff handy

How about a couple of service valves ether side of the reactor to make for easy cleaning and priming, or maybe two pairs of the self sealing hose connectors for garden hose pipes, so you could just clip it in and out to make life easy, just an idea.

 

[qwikimpss]

I like the idea of it being on the filter outlet. There will be no cleaning required. It sounds pretty good, I may have to try this after I move when I get a canister filter for my planted tank. I also am going to get an in line heater so there will be nothing but the filter inlet and outlet in the tank itself.

 

[scott67892002]

i'd have the inlet to the reactor on the side to create as much tubulance as pos!

 

[Themuleous]

How about a couple of service valves ether side of the reactor to make for easy cleaning and priming, or maybe two pairs of the self sealing hose connectors for garden hose pipes, so you could just clip it in and out to make life easy, just an idea.

This sounds like a good idea to me, simple and effective.

 

[George Farmer]

How about a couple of service valves ether side of the reactor to make for easy cleaning and priming, or maybe two pairs of the self sealing hose connectors for garden hose pipes, so you could just clip it in and out to make life easy, just an idea.

This sounds like a good idea to me, simple and effective.

Agreed - thanks Simon.

 

[oldwhitewood]

It's an intriguing idea. If you also put an external heater in line with the external filter output it would be really cool.