Tiny super efficient CO2 reactor - Page 7 - DIY Aquarium Projects

niko · 03-06-2008, 05:19 PM

Yes the sponge is the "trade mark", it must be stuck on the outflow. It traps the bubbles and they linger in the sponge while being washed by the water running through the sponge.

--Nikolay

natdc2 · 03-06-2008, 07:58 PM

Ok awesome, I will put back on the sponge.

crudnugget · 04-17-2008, 06:40 AM

I found one of these pumps at my local PetCo, so I got it purely on the fact that I saw it used in this thread, and decided to make a CO2 system for my tank.

Only concern I have is the pump is a bit loud when the bubbles hit the impeller. I was thinking if I got a second small sponge and put it inside the filter, between the CO2 tube and the impeller, maybe the big bubbles would be broken up into smaller bubbles before hitting the blades and it wouldn't be so loud - but then again it might make a lot more noise if the smaller bubbles still produce the sound.

Any advice?

reybie · 04-17-2008, 09:19 AM

The small air stone is at the end of the CO2 tube is what people use to diffuse the noise.

niko · 04-20-2008, 05:24 AM

Air stone or even cheaper (we are going for the world record of "cheap" here) - a 1/4" piece of chopstick forced into the end of the CO2 tubing:

http://www.recyclethis.co.uk/wp-cont...chopsticks.jpg

--Nikolay

Tex Gal · 04-20-2008, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by niko

Air stone or even cheaper (we are going for the world record of "cheap" here) - a 1/4" piece of chopstick forced into the end of the CO2 tubing:
http://www.recyclethis.co.uk/wp-cont...chopsticks.jpg
--Nikolay

Niko you are so right. The chopstick thing makes a great airstone. I have used them several times.

lildark185 · 04-23-2008, 04:49 PM

Set it up today and it works beautifully. I made one modification though. I added a Sweetwater Diffuser Stone, purchased from John N. some while back to the CO2 output tube prior to putting the tube into the filter. At first, the stone didn't fit in the area where the sponge is supposed to be, but I cut part of the tip before connecting it to the CO2 tube and it fit just perfectly.
Here is the stone:

I believe this creates and even finer mist after it is broken up by the impeller. Let me know what you guys think.

OperJeff · 05-05-2008, 04:47 PM

Ive been using this reactor also. Its nice because there isnt too much mist all over the place so the water looks nice and clear.

Ive stuffed a nylon (pantyhose) full of purigen into the bottom and cut a piece of micron filter foam to protect the nylon bag from the impeller. it makes a nice water polisher / reactor combo.

Logan's Daddy · 05-05-2008, 09:45 PM

I picked mine up a couple of weeks ago after I saw this post, I drilled a small hole in the side and set mine up with an airstone inside. I also added my own twist on the outlet by stuffing a piece of 1/2" vinyl tubing in the output and stuffing 3 short pieces of airline tubing into it, they all point in different directions and scatter tiny bubbles EVERYWHERE.

Bad Pic, kind of shows outlet:

Since adding it I have cranked my co2 down to <1 bps for 30ppm in a 34 gallon tank, not too bad...
BTW I picked it up on clearance at petco for $7

ericpop27 · 05-12-2008, 09:33 PM

I wondered how I could go even cheaper...as in I have an Eclipse overhead filter and the DIY CO2 going, but it's tricky to get to the propeller.
I pried open the pre-filter at the bottom of the intake tube (stick a pair of scissors in and twist...like how cartoon characters open jail bars). Then I stick the CO2 airtube through and re-attached the airstone. Now the airstone and the end of CO2 airline tube are inside the intake tube. The filter simply sucks them in and the propeller chops them up. The tiny CO2 bubbles are scattered throughout the tank when they come out of the filter.