DIY CO2 Diffuser

[azn_fishy55]

I just test drived my Pump Diffuser in the pool and the water was siphoned into the airline tubing so it was a failure. I have heard alot about the diffuser in the attachment. How do you make it?

[dskidmore]

Are you doing yeast generated [acronym:accd2f83f7="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:accd2f83f7] or compressed [acronym:accd2f83f7="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:accd2f83f7] canisters? I just use a fine pore airstone for my [acronym:accd2f83f7="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:accd2f83f7] diffuser, but when you're generating you can afford to loose the extra gas.

[sudz]

I stick mine in my powerhead. Its got a feed for it. the only thing that bugs me slightly is that it seems to make a mild vacume in the pop bottle. Anyone else have this problem?

[azn_fishy55]

I have yeast generator [acronym:51eda41849="Do it yourself"]DIY[/acronym:51eda41849] [acronym:51eda41849="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:51eda41849] system

[dskidmore]

Originally Posted by sudz

I stick mine in my powerhead. Its got a feed for it. the only thing that bugs me slightly is that it seems to make a mild vacume in the pop bottle. Anyone else have this problem?

Those powerhead inputs are designed to pump air into the water, not passivly take pressureized input. You're bount to have a vaccum situation with that method. You could use a T and a check valve to let in some regular air when the airline pressure is too low.

[czcz]

azn_fishy55, search for gravel vac powered reactors.

sudz, as long as the mix is producing gas you are okay. I use venturii method with slightly different details too, and with regular bottle changes have not had issues, [acronym:49d695cbdf="For what its worth"]fwiw[/acronym:49d695cbdf].

[sudz]

I wasnt sure how much vacume it would actually create, so i left a bottle full of dechlorinated tap water for a while, instead of yeast, just incase it collapsed the bottle and sucked up water. It didn't... just in case, i just have a brass... nobby thing that gradually turns on airflow. I turned it off, and let some pressure build up, then just wiggled the thing on a tiny bit, and now air kinda leaks out. keeping the bottle mildly pressurized.

I THINK it should be ok.

however, what are the concequences of running [acronym:39e9759287="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:39e9759287] when you don't have proper lighting?

[malkore]

Couple things here:

1. if you're gonna create a vaccum with a [acronym:6a5e53249e="Do it yourself"]DIY[/acronym:6a5e53249e] setup, use very thick plastic, or glass, juice bottles. a vaccuum will collapse the pop bottle eventually. the risk is always there.

2. never EVER restrict the flow of a [acronym:6a5e53249e="Do it yourself"]DIY[/acronym:6a5e53249e] setup from venting the [acronym:6a5e53249e="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:6a5e53249e] it creates. I can adn WILL explode when the pressure builds up. I can't tell if the brass valve is being used to restrict the [acronym:6a5e53249e="Do it yourself"]DIY[/acronym:6a5e53249e], but if it is, remove it. Again, the risk will always be there for it to literally explode if you cap the pressure.

3. to answer your question, running extra [acronym:6a5e53249e="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:6a5e53249e] when you don't need it is just a waste of time and effort. [acronym:6a5e53249e="Do it yourself"]DIY[/acronym:6a5e53249e] rarely hits lethal [acronym:6a5e53249e="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:6a5e53249e] levels, so you'd basically have plenty of [acronym:6a5e53249e="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:6a5e53249e] in the water, which may benefit the plants a little, and will definitely lower your pH.

[sudz]

alrighty. The reason why i have it in already is i want to get it ready for the influx of plants it'll be reciving the second i get my 96 watt [acronym:4bcb8e84ba="Power compact fluorescent"]PC[/acronym:4bcb8e84ba] setup (hopefully this friday!) The [acronym:4bcb8e84ba="power head or Measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions, depending on context"]PH[/acronym:4bcb8e84ba] is at 7.2 atm. I'll be adding a second bottle once the lights come. the main reason for the brass valve is to turn off airflow so when i disconnect the bottle water doesn't come pouring down. As an afterthought this wouldn't happen because the powerhead sucks air through the tube. *doh* so it would never pour out the tube when i disconnect the bottle, it'd just inject a lot of air into my tank instead.

*can't wait until lighting system comes in!*

[malkore]

sounds like you have the plan laid out. ramping up [acronym:e0c0642b03="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:e0c0642b03] levels in preparation for the lighting isn't a bad idea. I'd have the second bottle prepared for the day the light gets put on. Its not like you'll instantly get algae with the new light and not enough [acronym:e0c0642b03="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:e0c0642b03], but keeping them full of carbon from the beginning is best, as it'll reduce stress from the 'environmental' changes you're introducing by the lighting upgrade.

DEFINITELY keep an eye on your nutrient levels after adding the lighting. nitrates are probably the most likely to bottom out quickly.