Inexpensive But Effective Co2 Diffusion

Hello everybody
So today if found out that my way of diffusing co2 isn't effective for my 55 gallon aquarium. Currently I have a diy co2 set up using citric acid and baking soda running at 1 bps. My diffusion method is using a glass ceramic diffuser.

My question is is there another method to diffusing co2 more effectively to my whole tank and that isn't very expensive. I do have a canister filter, hob and a power head but have no idea of how to incorporate my co2 into them.

 

A ceramic diffuser is not quite an inefficient way to introduce CO2 into water as long as it produces fine bubbles, almost like a mist that's floating around in the water rather than large bubbles that are heading straight to the surface. Place it very low, close to the substrate and point the power head toward it so it blows the bubbles all around to maximize contact time with water. I would also increase the CO2 flow to 2-3 bps.

An inline reactor (installed along the output hose of the canister filter) is probably the most efficient method to dissolve CO2. However, it requires fine tuning of the amount of CO2 you can feed into it; no more than it can dissolve.

 

What my diffusor usually does is what you described. The bubbles look kind of like the bubbles in soda and they just float to the top. If I would go with the inline reactor would it be worth the money and purpose for what I want it for and is there a diy version of it?

 

Build a reactor. It is easy to do.

 

Some reactors are cheaper than others....usually, you get what you paid for.
I am seriously considering an inline reactor for my tank but I am afraid of leaks.
Bubbles that float and break at the surface are a waste of CO2. Maybe you can place the diffuser right under the hob intake and let the impaler do the chopping.

 

Reactors are the most efficient method of CO2 injection. I have three DIY reactors, 1 cerges, and 2 Rex Grigg type...no leaks in 5 years.

 

What would be the most compact type of reactor?

 

I would say the Cerges. I really like that one...quiet too.

 

Try changing your diffuser.. my ceramic diffuser produces only 2 streams of large bubbles the rest 6 streams are very tiny mist type bubbles that even without the Force of the powerhead spreads all throughout the tank .... You can also attach a reactor or get a step co2 reactor n the output of it goes into the diffuser or something like that to increase the contact time of the co2 bubbles

 

Thanks everyone for your input. I decided I'm going to go ahead and build a reactor. I found a build, but are bio balls really needed. Some sites say their pretty much useless others say they cause turbulence and make the co2 and water mix better. Whats your guy's opinions.