AquaZilla

Which method of diffusion should I use?

Which method is Better?

What size glass diffuser should I use?

These are questions I get all the time, but its hard to explain to folks that one is not necessarily better then the other. What is most important is which is best for your current setup and also, what fits your budget.

I will try to explain what I like to use and why I use it on my current tank setup.

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Needle Wheel Pump Diffusion for CO2.






This is a larger Needle Wheel Pump that I use on a closed loop system for a 120G tank. Its a Danner 950GPH pump with a needle wheel impeller.

By attaching the appropriate PVC fittings along with tubing fittings it's very easy to plumb into any tank of larger size.

The reason I choose needle wheel pumps on larger tanks is due to the added flow and fine mist you can achieve with one simple device.

I prefer this method over any DIY PVC reactor, PVC reactors are plumbed in-line on your filter system, and this can take away flow characteristics that are much needed in any planted aquarium. PVC Reactors start off great, but can taper off overtime with buildup leaving you with BBA and other problems. Also, a dirty filter means a slower filter, less gallons per hour, which can result in less efficient CO2 diffusion.

Using a Needle Wheel pump eliminates this entirely.

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Ceramic Disc CO2 Diffusion.




The glass diffuser like you see above is the classic ceramic diffuser used in many folks planted tanks. They are simple to install and require no real hard plumbing work.

They will need regular maintenance, however, to get algae growth off of the ceramic plate to keep them functioning properly.

Keeping an extra diffuser on hand while the other is soaking in bleach/water or Tilex helps keep the down time to a minimum.

Placement of ceramic disc diffusers in the aquarium is very important. You want to place them far from Drop checkers, and in direct contact with the output of your filter flow. Proper placement will help CO2 mist disperse evenly around the tank.

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Inline Ceramic Disc CO2 Diffusion.



This type of diffuser is one that I most prefer with any tank under 60G.

There are several reasons why this type of diffuser works so well:

1) It is easy to plumb outside of the tank.

2) It requires very minimal maintenance due to the fact that green algae does not grow on the ceramic disc.

3) Diffusion of CO2 is much better because the mist is mixed with the pressure of the filter outflow and is distributed throughout the tank.

4) This type of in-line use has little effect on GPH of your canister filter.


A NEW Addition!!!!

This diffuser is also in inline diffuser except it can be used with any flow rate.

ShaneSmith

I've never heard of the needle wheel, are you referring to the magnetic spinner in a lot of filters? If that is what you are talking about i prefer that as well, i use a HAGEN elite Mini to diffuse my co2, its in the tank which kind of sucks but its a 20gallon and its on my desk so i cant have tons of PVC below it, it would be unattractive. The mist it creates is much finer than any ceramic disc i have ever seen.

AquaZilla

Needle wheel pumps are used on the best protein skimmers in the reef world.
The impeller is a bunch of needles with a very high RPM compared to most standard pumps. They are well worth the labor and cost

Orlando

chillplants

I have an inline ceramic diffusor (pictured above) on my 75 gal tank. It is inline on my XP3. It does a fantastic job so far with getting micro bubbles all over my tank. In the late afternoon, you can't tell the CO2 from the plants pearling.
I recently set up a needle wheel pump on my 40 breeder. This one took some work as I had to DIY the PVC, but the effects are the same. I am using the needle wheel to replace a HOB filter so I pieced together some more 1 1/2" PVC and filled it with filter material so I can get the advantages of needle wheel diffusion and keep the advantages of a filter.

AquaZilla

When do we get to see this filter in action?!

cronus

Here is my personal view on the needle wheel set up Orlando.
It looks pretty neat.

I think quite a few people are not quite sure how to piece together the components to set up this sort of system for their tank.
Suppose you were to piece together the required components, and sell it as a package deal. I'm thinking since a lot of planted folks already run canisters, perhaps you could offer a set up that simply hangs on the back of the tank, with intake and outtake tubes.

Is this feasible for you to put together?
Would folks be interested in buying this sort of set up? I think so... maybe you could put the question out there on some of the forums.

I am already running a PVC reactor on two tanks. Things are going quite well at the moment. I already have enough circulation. But I think this would be neat to try.

Anyway, that's my business idea, take it or leave it. If you decide to give it a go, I think an 80/20 split is fine with me. I'll leave it up to you if you want the 80% or the 20%.

Thanks for the DC and check valve BTW (quick shipment to Canada)

AquaZilla

Lol!

Yeah Im into DIY of filters, more just plug and play type of guy. These things are as easy as a canister to set up really. But I realize its still time consuming and folks just want to pull it out of a box and set it up.
Somethings are just not that easy I guess. Maybe one day though!

-O

cronus

Thanks for the reply.
I have no problem piecing together the parts for the system. It's just that I can't seem to find a lot of information anywhere as to how such a system should be set up, what pump would work with what size tank, what else is needed to make it work, etc.
I'll keep looking

AquaZilla

Well, if you look at the photo above of the needle wheel pump we use you will see it has an inlet and outlet. Its just a hose barb on the inlet, and a hose barb on the outlet. Tubing to and from the tank. Thats it!
Of course you may want to use PVC to DIY a Inlet pipe and outlet pipe to connect to the tubing.

What size pump? All pumps come with flow ratings, which would be best for your tank?
One that will turn 3-5 times the volume of your tank.
It never hurts to go a little bigger and use ball valves to throttle back.
Its easier than it looks really.

Pump under tank, tubing from pump outlet to tank. Tubing from Tank to pump inlet. Done.

You can see on the pump I use I built my own venturi assembly which is a little different than what you would normally buy. But they come out of the box like this....


Your co2 tubing go's into the little venturi inlet. Add a check valve and blast co2 into your tank and enjoy the growth

-O

cronus

Exactly why did you do this?
I am assuming that the venturi you built is that yellow-capped metal thingy
What is the purpose of the modification?

I am assuming that you might advise splitting the outflow from a needle wheel pump in a four foot tank. That way, one could ensure flow to all areas of the tank.

Regards,
cronus