Pressurised Co2 In Small Tanks With Low Bubble Count...

[nry]

I am running pressurised CO2 in a 54litre/15-gallon tank. I am currently using what I think is one of the smallest ceramic diffusers available, the Rhinox 1000, which is around 2cm diamater for the ceramic disc.

In order to keep my drop checker green (4dkh water, bromo blue, changed at least weekly) I am needing to run ~20bpm. The bubbles coming from the ceramic disc are not really what I would class as a mist, with only ~4 bubble streams being seen, one of which consists of quite large bubbles which all reach the water surface.

I am curious if the need to run what appears to be a high bubble count for the tank size is partly down to the 'poor' diffusing of the ceramic disc? The disc is very clean so I do not think anything is wrong there.

If you run a small tank and use a ceramic diffuser, how do you find the mist/bubbles that come from it's surface? Is there any diffuser that may be smaller and/or more suited to my tank to make better use of the CO2?

 

[BHornsey]

On my smaller tanks I use plantbrain's DIY internal reactor.
It might not be good looking but it's certainly effective.
CO2 accumulates at the top of it, mixes well, then blasts it out in a steady mist.
Tom Barr's Internal Reactor

 

[SuperColey1]

I found this with my Rhinox 2000 but who cares if the checkers green (I only needed 4 - 5 bubbles per min though)

andy

 

[nry]

I'm as much thinking the bottle of CO2 will last better if my bubble count is lower....me being tight