Aqua Medic Membrane Diffuser vs. Reactor 1000 co2 reactor - Aquarium Advice

AquariumFreak · 03-27-2004, 06:42 PM

Which is better, the Aqua Medic Membrane Diffuser vs. Reactor 1000 co2 reactor? or should I just build a [acronym:fa8e562b1b="Do it yourself"]DIY[/acronym:fa8e562b1b]?

Want to order [acronym:fa8e562b1b="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:fa8e562b1b] system tonight just can't decide what to get from aquatic-store.com

madasafish · 03-27-2004, 07:24 PM

I have the Reactor 1000, and it works well for me, but it's pretty new. Have never used the membrane diffuser. With the Reactor you have to buy a water pump, too. Makes it a little more complicated. Not sure if the membrane diffuser requires that.

AquariumFreak · 03-27-2004, 07:25 PM

Can I hook the Reactor up to my canister filter?

madasafish · 03-27-2004, 07:35 PM

Yes, you can almost certainly attach it to the outflow of the canister filter. What is the diameter of your tubing? I think 3/8" is best, but the 1/2" also works (that's what I have, and it's just a little loose.

03-27-2004, 07:58 PM

Looked at the membrane diffusers, max 40 bubbles per minute in a high current area. I didn't like the sound of that, I use 60 bubble a minute on my 90 gallon. MAYBE the membrane type is efficient enough to make up the difference, but it sounds too limiting to me. If you need more than 40 bubbles a minute to get your [acronym:fdf6aaf8d1="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:fdf6aaf8d1] levels where you want them, you cannot do it. I'd get a reactor if I were you, even a glass diffuser gives you more options as to bubble rate.

Mr Burns · 03-28-2004, 01:15 AM

build your own reactor. it's really really really really east.

really, it is. it's a fun project too.

betowess · 03-30-2004, 12:17 AM

Ditto Burns except... after I got a leak and had to semi-start over and couldn't find the right size nylon [acronym:0782247a1b="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:0782247a1b] nipple and had to pop for a brass one, at one point I was wishing I had just spent the $60. But the [acronym:0782247a1b="Do it yourself"]DIY[/acronym:0782247a1b] looks pretty cool, if you don't mind messing with [acronym:0782247a1b="Plastic pipe"]PVC[/acronym:0782247a1b] and it works like a charm.

Zero to 30 [acronym:0782247a1b="Parts per Million"]ppm[/acronym:0782247a1b] [acronym:0782247a1b="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:0782247a1b] in no time at all! And I don't really care for champagne, but I do like seeing those bubbles in my tank.

03-27-2004, 06:42 PM	#1
AquariumFreak Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Valencia, CA Posts: 245	Aqua Medic Membrane Diffuser vs. Reactor 1000 co2 reactor Which is better, the Aqua Medic Membrane Diffuser vs. Reactor 1000 co2 reactor? or should I just build a [acronym:fa8e562b1b="Do it yourself"]DIY[/acronym:fa8e562b1b]? Want to order [acronym:fa8e562b1b="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:fa8e562b1b] system tonight just can't decide what to get from aquatic-store.com

03-27-2004, 07:24 PM	#2
madasafish Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: NY, NY Posts: 2,260 Images: 73	I have the Reactor 1000, and it works well for me, but it's pretty new. Have never used the membrane diffuser. With the Reactor you have to buy a water pump, too. Makes it a little more complicated. Not sure if the membrane diffuser requires that. __________________ [acronym:3ff24413a5="Malaysian Trumpet Snails or Multiple Tank Syndrome, depending on context"]MTS[/acronym:3ff24413a5] is a blessing, not a disease.

03-27-2004, 07:35 PM	#4
madasafish Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: NY, NY Posts: 2,260 Images: 73	Yes, you can almost certainly attach it to the outflow of the canister filter. What is the diameter of your tubing? I think 3/8" is best, but the 1/2" also works (that's what I have, and it's just a little loose. __________________ [acronym:3ff24413a5="Malaysian Trumpet Snails or Multiple Tank Syndrome, depending on context"]MTS[/acronym:3ff24413a5] is a blessing, not a disease.

03-28-2004, 01:15 AM	#6
Mr Burns Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: cincinnati Posts: 784	build your own reactor. it's really really really really east. really, it is. it's a fun project too. __________________ "If this were a dictatorship, it'd be a heck of a lot easier...just as long as I'm the dictator..." --George W. Bush, Washington, [acronym:3a5f9f69f4="Direct current"]DC[/acronym:3a5f9f69f4], Dec 18, 2000

03-30-2004, 12:17 AM	#7
betowess Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Washington State,USA Posts: 389 Images: 3	Ditto Burns except... after I got a leak and had to semi-start over and couldn't find the right size nylon [acronym:0782247a1b="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:0782247a1b] nipple and had to pop for a brass one, at one point I was wishing I had just spent the $60. But the [acronym:0782247a1b="Do it yourself"]DIY[/acronym:0782247a1b] looks pretty cool, if you don't mind messing with [acronym:0782247a1b="Plastic pipe"]PVC[/acronym:0782247a1b] and it works like a charm. Zero to 30 [acronym:0782247a1b="Parts per Million"]ppm[/acronym:0782247a1b] [acronym:0782247a1b="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:0782247a1b] in no time at all! And I don't really care for champagne, but I do like seeing those bubbles in my tank. __________________ 26 Gallon Planted Community, 90 Gallon Planted Community - Rena XP3, XP2 Filters, Pressurized[acronym:c235e7f258="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:c235e7f258], Eco or Flourite, TEK 4x54 T5 light, AH Supply [acronym:c235e7f258="Power compact fluorescent"]PC[/acronym:c235e7f258] s

03-27-2004, 07:25 PM	#3
AquariumFreak Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Valencia, CA Posts: 245	Can I hook the Reactor up to my canister filter?

03-27-2004, 07:58 PM	#5
Guest Posts: n/a	Looked at the membrane diffusers, max 40 bubbles per minute in a high current area. I didn't like the sound of that, I use 60 bubble a minute on my 90 gallon. MAYBE the membrane type is efficient enough to make up the difference, but it sounds too limiting to me. If you need more than 40 bubbles a minute to get your [acronym:fdf6aaf8d1="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:fdf6aaf8d1] levels where you want them, you cannot do it. I'd get a reactor if I were you, even a glass diffuser gives you more options as to bubble rate.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Aqua Medic 1000 Co2 reactor ????	MalawiMadness	Freshwater & Brackish - Planted Tanks	6	01-13-2007 11:53 PM
CO2 Reactor 1000 and XP3	Lonewolfblue	General Hardware/Equipment Discussion	2	10-01-2006 09:57 PM
aqua medic ca reactor	rbarb1111	General Hardware/Equipment Discussion	0	03-04-2006 12:17 PM
I added the Aqua Medic 1000 Bactoball reactor	Xzap	General Hardware/Equipment Discussion	10	10-13-2005 12:37 PM
Aqua Medic Aqualine Co2 Reactor	kagentx	Freshwater & Brackish - Planted Tanks	7	10-10-2005 11:22 PM