Co2 Diffusers Vs Air Stones/sponge Filters

So I've recently placed a sponge filter in my tank

Mainly for extra filtration as well as surface agitation as it releases bubbles through the air pump

I've been reading up on CO2 diffusers which release finer smaller bubbles disturbing the water in the tank less.
Also as my tank of going to be well planted in the upcoming weeks I hear these are better for the plants.

Any opinion or say on this?
Also would the smaller finer bubbles provide enough surface agitation to aerate the tank well enough?

Thanks

P.S. As you may be able to tell I'm quite the noob

 

Are you saying you want to diffuse O2 through a CO2 diffuser? I don't think air pumps provide enough pressure for O2 to diffuse as a CO2 system does. Most aeration will come from surface agitation.

What kind of planted set up are you going for? Low tech tanks with easy plants don't need added CO2 (though of course any plant will still benefit from it but it isn't essential). CO2 system start up costs are very big, so if you're going for a low tech tank flourish excel is a good alternative, though it will melt a few plants like vals.

What plants and lights/ferts do you have?

 

Is something like this not called a CO2 diffuser
Or is it just a fancy air store




I thought they were very similar but the CO2 diffuser releases tiny tiny bubbles

 

I don't see any technical reason you couldn't use a tank of oxygen pumped through a CO2 diffuser. But if your goal is just to minimize surface agitation(Why?) while still airating the tank then there are better ways to do it. Having a spraybar the length of the tank gently circulating water along the surface should do it, without causing a lot of disturbance or current in the tank.

 

To answer your question: yes, that is a CO2 diffuser. The fine CO2 bubbles are suppose to float in the water, anything that's reaches the surface is a waste. And CO2 bubbles are not disturbing the surface, the diffuser must be placed low in the tank, close to the surface to maximize contact time between CO2 and water.
You need quite a bit of pressure to push gas through a diffuser, I doubt any any air pump is strong enough.

 

I tried it, didn't work

 

I tried it, didn't work

what did you try?

 

To answer your question: yes, that is a CO2 diffuser. The fine CO2 bubbles are suppose to float in the water, anything that's reaches the surface is a waste. And CO2 bubbles are not disturbing the surface, the diffuser must be placed low in the tank, close to the surface to maximize contact time between CO2 and water.
You need quite a bit of pressure to push gas through a diffuser, I doubt any any air pump is strong enough.

what do you mean by "low in the tank, close to the surface" ? can you put of picture of yours if any? thanks.

 

Sorry for the confusion, I meant the substrate's surface or simply substrate.

what do you mean by "low in the tank, close to the surface" ? can you put of picture of yours if any? thanks.