This critical component of the planted tank often gets overlooked, so let's talk about it What are you using and why? More importantly, where did you buy it? I have tried the following methods: - ceramic diffuser into wavemaker (works ok, but lots of equipment in tank. requires regular cleaning) - CO2 line directly into filter input (worked really well, but risks damage to the filter) - Inline ceramic diffuser on the filter output line (Up Aqua). Worked well for about 6 months and then not so much, busy cleaning it now. All parts mentioned were purchased from ebay. I have not gone the reactor route because I have been unable to source parts for it. The inline diffuser seems to be a winner, but cleaning it is a pain.
Yes agree, having said this I have never cleaned mine and its three or fours years old, but thanks for reminding me It's a big inline reactor in a 800l tank...
My 2c... if you want equipment in the tank - get a bazooka - my personal experience with these = lekker. still needs to be cleaned with little bleach now and then but no real issues. PM me and I'll let you know where to buy locally as the store is not a sponsor and don't want to name it here. please keep in mind that a bazooka diffuser is a high pressure device, thus proper regulator and decent tubing is needed, normal airline tubing will not work and a yeast and sugar mix in a 2l coke bottle is a waste of time. LOL I prefer a reactor connected to a canister filter - Have a look on my 120P thread on page 15. no cleaning no issues just performance Speak to @Slagter or @Algae wizard - they might still have some available...
Thanks, hopefully either @Slagter or @Algae wizard will reply here if they have any CO2 reactors for sale In my limited experience, consistency is key. Having a diffuser that needs to be cleaned regularly means that the CO2 levels will fluctuate quite a bit. So I am all for trying out a reactor setup.
Hey Guys. I have the sera flore reactor that hooks up to the canister filter output. Running for a year now. No troubles and the best thing is that I only clean once in 4 months when I clean out my canister. No green algae to clean and no CO2 bubbles to be seen. Just O2
Great stuff, I was looking at the Sera. Where did you buy it? Does it have a 16/22 hose connector? I'm still hunting for parts for DIY since I have not found a supplier locally (Other than the Ista one which has a small 12/16 hose connector).
Yes Sera has a 16/22 hose connector. Connects to my Pro4 easily. I got it off ebay. There are 2 models, the 500 and the 1000. I have a 100l so the 500 was more than enough for me. Don't bother with the Ista. Its a copied version of the Sera and made very cheaply, and yes the Ista has a 12/16 connection. The Sera is German if I'm not mistaken, will last a lifetime, made from thick plastic. Cheers
Ok so I did manage to track down the parts required for a DIY reactor, so am holding off on the Sera for now (since I'll have to wait 2+ months for it to arrive anyway). Built a standard reactor with 2 inch PVC pipe, 40cm long... which didn't work. Turns out the flow from my Dophin 1600 is too strong for 50mm pipe diameter - the CO2 just bubbles out and my pH dropped barely to around 7 (from 7.3). Managed to dial it in my restricting the flow rate on the output of the filter to a nice, gentle outflow - pH down to 6.3, no bubbles! Today I managed to track down 63mm PVC pipe and fittings which should slow down the water significantly, so onto version 2...
