Does CO2 reactor size matter?

I am wondering if my ISTA CO2 Turbo reactor is too small for my 600ltr (160 gallon) tank. I am using a pressurized system and any more than 1.5-2 bps seems to cause a build up of co2 in the reactor, resulting it a lack of diffusion.
I first thought this may be a build up of 02, however the build up of gas only occurs during the day when the co2 system is on.
The reactor recieves a decent amount of flow, but not so much that it pushes the co2 out without it diffusing.
My question is do I need a bigger reactor to run more co2? Ideally at a rate of 5bps.

 

Can you increase the water flow?
What is the drop checker showing?

 

Can you increase the water flow?
What is the drop checker showing?

My thoughts exactly.

Is your CO2 saturation where you want it?

 

Water flow can be increased however the way my sump is set up it would reduce the overall filtration.
My drop checker is being delivered next week (could not find one at local stores), but from testing the ph and kh the co2 saturation is around 12ppm
I have been using this website to estimate co2 ppm:

 

My first thought is for a 160 gallons, you will need a better way to diffuse. You are using a separate powerhead for the reactor right?

 

I've hooked the reactor up to the same pump which pushes the water back up from the sump to the main tank, it runs at 4000ltrs/hour (1050 gallons) but i've got valves to reduce that flow.
So some water is diverted into the reactor and back into the sump, while the rest just goes back into the main tank.

 

Cool idea for the reactor. Measuring your CO2 by PH is more accurate than a drop checker. But drop checkers are nice to have as a easy visual reference.

For 160 gallons you will really need to be pumping a lot of CO2 into your water column. If this reactor will not allow you more than 2 bps, I would run 2. Or buy or build one that will allow for more BPS. I would guess you will need around 5 to 6 bps to get the 30ppm of CO2 you need.

 

I'm thinking the same thing, any recommendations on building a larger DIY reactor or buying one like the sera 1000?

 

YouTube has lots of vids if you search for DIY CO2 reactors. Or the Sera 1000 would work too. I would get a separate powerhead for which ever one you choose though.

 

Update: went ahead and bought the sera 1000, I was very careful when installing it due to the fragile plastic. It works great and can handle as many bubbles as I want without the chamber filling up with gas