Co2 injection + no bubbles

[tropicalwannabe]

My planted (immersed setup) 40 gallon tank is just about ready to be submerged.





I'm fortunate in that I have worked 30+ years in Candy/Snack/Soda industry (Vending) that I'm able to get Co2 at cost.  This benefit, if you will, has allowed me to go the 'high tech' route with my future Co2 injection.

In many tanks I've seen, there seems to be a great deal of mini-bubbles in the water column.  I'd like to avoid that in my tank if possible.
My original idea was to allow my Co2 to be taken up by my canisters intake, diffused within the canister itself and thus avoid not only Co2 loss at the surface but get near 100% absorption.  Other sources on the internet suggest his could be bad for both the canister impeller, as well as potential damage to the bio media within the canister. 

I've looked at 'inline' atomizers, placed on the outflow of the canister, however by appearance they simply move equipment out of the tank and still return bubbles to within the aquarium.

Finally, I found a Co2 reactor (Ista Max Mix Co2 Reactor) that looks promising to my novice eyes.  Only real question using this, being quite large, is how much of a reduction in return flow will this unit restrict.

I've read the Co2 Diffusers/Reactors section on AAP, however the idea expressed there is much too bulky for my tank in my opinion.

I'd like to hear your thought/ideas on how I can eliminate the mini-bubbles (soda fizz) in the aquarium.

Thanks,
Paul


p.s.  I noticed there are a couple links that are no longer working within this page (http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/AquariumPlants.html#diffuser).
1. Link to 'Freshwateraquariumplants.com', appears the site is down.
2. Link to 'The Drop Checker by Walter Reed' returns an error.  Looks like they've change to a World Press format, the information is still there but it took a little bit of digging.  Here's the correct link for the suggested article (http://www.njagc.net/wp/co2-equipment/the-drop-checker/)

[devonjohnsgard]

tropicalwannabe,

It's going to be great following your build set-up. Nice job on starting the planted tank too. Going about it the right way. I added plants into the tank, already grown out and while there was water in the tank. I like the idea of growing them first, then adding water.

I think your question depends on how much C02 you are injecting. I personally just work on having filtration, which does lose to much C02, then dosing liquid carbon. Injecting does make for some serious plant growth though. My plants grow at a pretty normal rate.

I normally don't see to much bubbles when injecting. Lite bubbles. Is there a difference between dosing a small amount all day, versus a heavy dose for just a shorter time earlier in the day? Will you be making sure Co2 is off at night?

I guess most set-ups I've "seen" don't really worry about the bubbles.

Keep us posted. I've excited to see how the growth turns out.

Thanks for letting us know about the links too.

[Carl]

p.s. I noticed there are a couple links that are no longer working within this page (http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/AquariumPlants.html#diffuser).
1. Link to 'Freshwateraquariumplants.com', appears the site is down.
2. Link to 'The Drop Checker by Walter Reed' returns an error. Looks like they've change to a World Press format, the information is still there but it took a little bit of digging. Here's the correct link for the suggested article (http://www.njagc.net/wp/co2-equipment/the-drop-checker/)

Thanks for bringing these problems to our attention.

I added the updated link for the drop checker, and simply removed the other link as that site seems to be cutting off every new link we have added (I think they might be on their way out?)

I found a Co2 reactor (Ista Max Mix Co2 Reactor) that looks promising to my novice eyes. Only real question using this, being quite large, is how much of a reduction in return flow will this unit restrict.

I am familiar with the "Ista Max Mix Co2 Reactor" only in that I know of others who have used it with good success.
I have thought of looking into it more (maybe even selling it), but I have not been able to find the time.
I have had good success with other Ista products, but even this has been in limited experience.

My original idea was to allow my Co2 to be taken up by my canisters intake, diffused within the canister itself and thus avoid not only Co2 loss at the surface but get near 100% absorption. Other sources on the internet suggest his could be bad for both the canister impeller, as well as potential damage to the bio media within the canister.

I would have to agree with other sources that suggest this would be damaging to bio media.
A suggestion would be to use a dedicated small canister filter for this purpose only?

Carl

[tropicalwannabe]

I think it's clear, if I want to avoid as many 'bubbles' as possible I'm going to have to go with an external reactor.  

It's been a couple months since I started this thread, and my tank is moving along nicely.   I have yet to inject any Co2 as the regulator I had (used to be on a vending machine) needs rebuilding.
So in the mean time, I've been dosing API Co2 Booster.. but I think I got started a bit late on my dosing practices.

I'm a very patient guy.  Consistency has always paid off for me, so I'm not too upset over my rather large out break of hair algae.  I thought that weekly water changes of 60% (no fauna yet) would help eliminate that pest.  Since then, I've been educated in the importance of adding sometime of Carbon regardless of it's source.  Thing are clearing up slowly, but at least you can see all the way to the back of the tank now.

Here's a shot of the left 2/3rds of the tank ( full view of the tank and you don't get to see the details). 





I'd share my plant list with you, however I seem to have misplaced the darn thing.

All the best to one and all,
Paul

[devonjohnsgard]

Looks very nice! Thanks for keeping us up with your tank progress.