Glass Co2 Diffusers

[suzanne]

I have just purchased a glass co2 diffuser (link below) for my aquarium as a better alternative than my nutrafin ladder (which looks huge and the bubbles don't always travel up the ladder properly)
an hour after connecting the diffuser to my nutrafin bottle there is no co2 being diffused and instead the nutrafin bottle is leaking round the lid. there doesn't seem to be a blockage in the air line & the diffuser looks as is pictured.

diffuser link

would love to hear from anyone using this type of diffuser, and their experiences
am I missing something ?
is there a better diffuser ?

 

[nry]

Sounds like the lid is not on correctly or not on tight enough, there is not much chance that the pressure required to put CO2 through the diffuser is high enough to blow the lid on the cannister. Mine takes 30-60 minutes to build up pressure to push CO2 through my diffuser, though mine is a bit larger than yours I think, so that may make a difference.

 

[DevUK]

From what I understand the glass/ceramic diffusers require a lot more pressure to get the CO2 out. It may be that with the ladder it didn't need much pressure so it wouldn't leak. Now the pressure is higher it's escaping. Screw the lid on tighter if you can, and check where the tubing connects.

Also, is it the case that with these types of diffusers you soak them in bleach to clean them before using them? I'm sure I read that somewhere. (Don't quote me on that).

 

[Neo8223]

I had to mod my DIY CO2 botles and put silicone sealent where the connecters were. They do require very high pressure and do put your co2 kits to the test. If its escaping through the very end, put a zip strip to hold it in place. This was required for in my tank as the CO2 diffuser kept popping out.

 

[cleekdaFish]

I used to have the same prpblems as u..probably the ring is not tightened enough , fiddle around wid it , if that doesnt work soak ur whole ceremic glass diffuser in bleach , that should help to unclog something and get micro bubbles

 

[nry]

Do they generally need soaked before initial use? I think mine is too big for the amount of CO2 passing through it, it is ~1" in diameter and I get 4-5 streams or large-ish bubbles and no mist or similar.

 

[Neo8223]

I'm rather lazy and clean mine once a month. Its coming up to 3 weeks and the bubbles are still going good. I never cleaned mine before start-up, although i did give it a rinse just incase there were ay materials left over from the making of it. If you have a plec employed, then they clean it a treat so i dont have to clean it as much.

A really easy way to clean it is by injecting it with bleech using an ink-jet refiller. I used a needle from the hospital as my mum works there. Although u can get them quite easilly... some less legit than others. (druggys)

 

[suzanne]

thanks for the replys,
but I have now joined the "broken my glass diffuser" club trying to get the tubing off. aarrggghhhhhhhh

are there any diffusers out there that are a bit more robust whilst being small & discreat suitable for a 20 gall tank,
just deciding whether to re-order..