Batt4Christ
Aquarium Advice FINatic
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2011
- Messages
- 634
So, the tank is a standard 55g, Odysea 3-bulbe T5 HO fixture.
CO2 setup is a 20lb bottle, Hydor Regulator and glass bubble counter, and a Hydor Turbo Co2 Diffuser (apparently they don't sell/market them here in the US - I got mine as part of a package deal from an individual).
Anyway - if I set the regulator to 2-3 bubbles per second, the Hydor diffuser puts out very tiny bubbles. BUT, after several months - I just can't get my CO2 levels up to where they need to be. Using a drop checker (with the correct 4dKh solution), I couldn't get levels beyond the blue-green color. Checking my pH, my tap water is 7.4. With CO2 set to 2-3 bps, The pH would drop to 7.3 over the course of several hours. Turning it up to 5-8bps, I could sometimes get the pH down to 7.1-7.2.
A couple of weeks ago, I decided to see how high I could turn up the CO2 without causing the little Hydor diffuser to cavitate and start throwing big bubbles. I actually got it to where the bubbles in the bubble counter were way too fast to count - and after 24 hours, my pH had dropped to 6.9. The liquid in my drop checker was actually fairly green.
So I back off the CO2 to where I can count the bubbles (approximately 6 bps) and by the next day, pH was back to 7.1.
I have experimented with placement of the diffuser, from right under my Emperor 400 HOB filter, to well away from any filters (and everywhere in between). Only way I can get CO2 levels up is by running an insane amount of CO2. Obviously the Hydor is extremely inefficient.
A buddy just recently set up the same size tank, running pressurized CO2, but the reactor/diffuser he has is a Mr. Aqua Turbo 400. He runs 3bpm and his CO2 levels come up considerably more. His drop checker is green at that point. His pH drops down to 6.4 at that injection level.
So I'm at a loss. I think a 20lb CO2 tank should last more than 5 months too.
I have been looking at the RedSea Reactor 500. It has mixed reviews, though mostly positive. I don't have a canister filter (per-se) - I do have a Marineland HOT filter that hangs on the back - but it has all rigid tubing and no provisions for any hose connections.
Someone suggested that I get this and place it immediately above my Hydor:
Amazon.com: Hagen Elite Underwater Mini Filter, UL Listed: Pet Supplies
While I see the logic - it would draw in the small bubble produced by the Hydor further crush and circulate them for more absorption.
I'm wondering if I would be well ahead to just get the Red Sea Reactor 500.
CO2 setup is a 20lb bottle, Hydor Regulator and glass bubble counter, and a Hydor Turbo Co2 Diffuser (apparently they don't sell/market them here in the US - I got mine as part of a package deal from an individual).
Anyway - if I set the regulator to 2-3 bubbles per second, the Hydor diffuser puts out very tiny bubbles. BUT, after several months - I just can't get my CO2 levels up to where they need to be. Using a drop checker (with the correct 4dKh solution), I couldn't get levels beyond the blue-green color. Checking my pH, my tap water is 7.4. With CO2 set to 2-3 bps, The pH would drop to 7.3 over the course of several hours. Turning it up to 5-8bps, I could sometimes get the pH down to 7.1-7.2.
A couple of weeks ago, I decided to see how high I could turn up the CO2 without causing the little Hydor diffuser to cavitate and start throwing big bubbles. I actually got it to where the bubbles in the bubble counter were way too fast to count - and after 24 hours, my pH had dropped to 6.9. The liquid in my drop checker was actually fairly green.
So I back off the CO2 to where I can count the bubbles (approximately 6 bps) and by the next day, pH was back to 7.1.
I have experimented with placement of the diffuser, from right under my Emperor 400 HOB filter, to well away from any filters (and everywhere in between). Only way I can get CO2 levels up is by running an insane amount of CO2. Obviously the Hydor is extremely inefficient.
A buddy just recently set up the same size tank, running pressurized CO2, but the reactor/diffuser he has is a Mr. Aqua Turbo 400. He runs 3bpm and his CO2 levels come up considerably more. His drop checker is green at that point. His pH drops down to 6.4 at that injection level.
So I'm at a loss. I think a 20lb CO2 tank should last more than 5 months too.
I have been looking at the RedSea Reactor 500. It has mixed reviews, though mostly positive. I don't have a canister filter (per-se) - I do have a Marineland HOT filter that hangs on the back - but it has all rigid tubing and no provisions for any hose connections.
Someone suggested that I get this and place it immediately above my Hydor:
Amazon.com: Hagen Elite Underwater Mini Filter, UL Listed: Pet Supplies
While I see the logic - it would draw in the small bubble produced by the Hydor further crush and circulate them for more absorption.
I'm wondering if I would be well ahead to just get the Red Sea Reactor 500.