Splitting Co2 Down 2 Lines.

afroturf

Fish Fanatic
Joined
Mar 17, 2006
Messages
174
Reaction score
0
Location
Nottingham, UK
One of the many options that i'm thinking of for my tank that will be ready at some point in the future is to run my co2 into the tank via 2 diffusers, my question is can i just use a standard air line splitter £0.17, or do i need to buy a proper co2 Y branch £8.99 or cheaper via e-bay?
 
Why do you want to use 2 diffusors? One is fine

Are you using pressurised or yeast based co2

Aaron
 
Aside from not knowing why you want two, I wonder if one diffuser would have enough difference to the other in respect of the pressure needed to force CO2 through the ceramic, that one diffuser would put bubbles out and the other wouldn't? If the 'proper' branch lets you alter the pressure in each line then that may be better, but otherwise I don't know how well it would work?
 
If you kept the hose between each diffuser the same length, then it should be OK.

Dave.
 
Can't see how that could work. The split will result in the pressure to each diffuser being half of what the pressure was to one diffuser. This reduction will likely result in bubbles instead of diffusion of the CO2. If you are determined, you will need a second needle valve and a manifold so that you can get the necessary pressure to each of the diffusers. The diffusers then operate absolutely independent of each other. I don't think the effort has any justification. If you are concered about the efficiency of the CO2 diffusion and you have a cannister filter I would suggest that you build yourself an in-line diffuser and interpose it in the return line from the cannister ot the tank. Less junk in the tank and a far more efficient diffusion process.
Vic
 
Thinking about it a little more, it will be difficult to keep the pressure drop the same in both lines, although opening the needle valve will maintain the pressure after adding a second line. The diffusers are likely to have different characteristics, making it a bit of a balancing act.

I thought you were going for a reactor in this tank anyway.

Dave.
 
hi guys i was thinking of splitting my co2 with a y branch to inject at both ends of my tank hoping for better results (aquarium gardening bubble counter / difuser) and two needle valves, or speed controlers but you guys have got me thing differently now. maybe i should go inline dif instead.
 
From everything I read, inline reactors are much more efficient, so less CO2 gives the same ppm as more CO2 via a diffuser etc. In short, long term it may be cheaper as you'll use less CO2 and hence need to buy/refill fewer cannisters.
 
The reason i was considering using two diffusers is that i have two that i don't use other than if ones needed during cleaning the one i use. They are both designed for tanks under 20g, the tank will be around 50g. I've read that i a good idea to run two diffusers on larger tanks to but obviously not with the effort i looks like i will take.

Dave, my preference is to use a in-line reactor but as always it comes down to price. I could only really afford the cheapest one from Aquamas or this one. Does anyone know where else i could buy a reactor from?

Mark thanks for the link its certainly something i will think about.
 
As an eBay Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Most reactions

Back
Top