Question about CO2 setup for 120 gal

[altwitch]

All,

Getting ready to go live with CO2 in my main tank and had a quick question. With a larger tank is there any advantage to use a splitter and 2x diffusers to inject at opposite ends of the tank simultaneously? My inclination is to think no as the CO2 should seek equilibrium after a short time being on. On the flip side I know some of it will escape so depending how quickly that happens wanted to at least ask the question.

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

 

[gray_matter16]

I would say yes. I know in my 75 gal I had an issue with my non-diffuser side of the tank not getting as much co2. This was evidenced by having a drop checker at both ends. The diffuser end was consistently lime green while the non-diffuser end was blueish green. Also evidenced by the plants on the non-diffuser end not growing as fast as the stuff nearest the diffuser.

So you could split the co2, or adjust the flow in your tank to somehow better push the co2 bubbles toward the non-diffuser end.

 

[Mudminnow]

I agree with the above. I've found good circulation to be very important in larger planted tanks (even smaller ones honestly). Without it, you'll get uneven CO2 distribution. This uneven distribution isn't great for the plants, plus it seems to encourage some types of algae.

 

[Thiatt]

Circulation is key, I used an in line diffuser on my new set up. It claims 100% dissolved rate. I teamed up a power head, HOB, and canister filter. Nice swirl to the water. I’ve moved the drop checker around and found consistent readings.

 

[mohican]

When I ran my 125 I used Aquatek regulator with splitter. Running dual co2 I was able to get the co2 level raised high enough and quick enough when lights came on. Single dispersion method may take too long to get adequate amounts of CO2 in the tank. A large reactor worked best in end for me.

 

[GlennO]

Yes I think the preferences would be - inline reactor > dual outlet regulator > splitter.