Filter Max CO2 Diffuser & Lighting

[Pechugii]

Hello all,

I'm in the process of restarting my 29 gallon tank, but I had a few questions about how I should go about CO2 diffusion and lighting. As general background info, my tank will consist of a Hydro #1-3 Pro Combo + Sun Sun JP-23 power head as primary filtration. I will also be injecting CO2 through a pressurized system with a dual stage regulator.

For CO2 diffusion, I was thinking of using a Rio pump and Filter Max as shown in Carl's aquarium plant care article. It's mentioned that you can use a pump like the Rio 200 and a filter max #2 while routing the CO2 tube through a drilled hole in in the filter max. I was thinking of using this setup, but also making this diffuser dual purpose by adding either another filter max or maybe a Hydro sponge to the Rio's intake as additional filtration to accompany my Hydro #1-3 PRO Combo + power head. I would prefer to keep the hardware in my tank as small as possible, so I was thinking of using a Rio 90 + Filter Max #1 as the diffuser and attach maybe a filter max #1 or a Hydro #2 to the intake as secondary filtration. However, I don't know if the Rio 90 and a filter max #1 would provide enough surface area and flow to diffuse the CO2 properly, especially with another sponge filter attached to the intake. The Rio 200 doesn't seem to be much bigger than the Rio 90 so it may be better to go that route anyway, but I'm open to suggestions as to what the best combination would be.

As for lighting, I'm thinking of purchasing the AquaGro 600 GroBeam. I think it would provide adequate light to achieve "medium" light for my 29 gallon. According to the LED recommendations, I would only need around .4 watts per gallon which would put my tank at 11.6 watts needed. My questions is if the 24x11 light spread at 6+ inches above the tank would be enough to cover the 30x12 area of my tank? My tank is also 18 inches tall, so I'm not sure if I would be better off going with two Mini LED 400's (15x15 spread each) to help with light penetration to the lower levels of the tank by upping the wattage (24 watts total) and spread.

I apologize for the lengthy post and I hope I didn't make it too convoluted.

I appreciate any advice that can be offered!

Thanks!

[Carl]

Hi Pechugii;

I am not sure if the Filter Max 1 would have enough surface area for diffusion, but then I never experimented with this size either.
The other question is whether the Rio 90 will adapt to the Filter Max (it is more of a small fountain pump). I will have to check later & get back.
Otherwise, I think this seems like a good idea.

As for lighting, you have already figured out the footprint, so with the #600, you should do well with low to medium light plants, you just will have more light "drop off" at the ends, which comes down to a matter preference on your part (I have done this with many types of lighting, and generally it looks OK IMHO, you just would place plants more centered under the lights).
Two Mini 400 AAP Lights would do well too and provide enough light for high light plants as well (two staggered 600 LED strips would work equally well IMO)

Carl

[devonjohnsgard]

Interesting way of diffusing. I've never done this. I just use a reactor and/or a diffuser, like an airstone. So, I would be learning from you on this. What I learned from hanging out in the planted tank crowds, is that you want the bubbles to hit and stick onto the leaf, so completely diffusing the co2 is not needed. You want bubbles for the process of sticking onto the leaf.

One GroBeam for a 29 is a good amount of light. Had a client come into the shop this last weekend saying how he thought he was going to have to use two, but the one has been more than enough. No complaint about spread, brightness ect.

[Pechugii]

Hi Carl and Devon,

Thank you for your responses. Your advice has helped me narrow down my decision for sure.

For the CO2 diffuser, I think I will go ahead with the Rio 200 and use a pair of Filter Max #2's. The sponge diameter between the #1 and #2 are the same, so I wouldn't be taking up more space by using one or the other. The only difference would be 2 inch difference in height, which I think is a fair compromise. The Rio 200 isn't much larger than the 90 and I think the 200's 138gph will provide enough flow rate to allow the two Filter Max sponges to operate properly unless I'm mistaken.

As for the Grobeam, I think I would be perfectly fine with the light drop off. As this will be my first experience using pressurized CO2, I'd prefer to start off slow and have a manageable balance of CO2 and light that I can slowly ramp up later by adding more light/CO2 when required.

Thanks again for the helpful advice! I'll be placing my order in the very near future!