How Effective Is A Ladder At Diffusing Co2?

[blackers92]

I have just established my DIY co2 system with a CO2 Flip Ladder

I just know if it is doing anything though, yes watching the bubbles go through the ladder are cool, but it doesnt turn the co2 into millions of little bubbles (is that what is required) I dont understand how the plants are taking it in, when it just bubbles up the ladder in a couple of seconds :\

could someone please clarify how it is being absorbed


cheers

adam

 

[the biffster]

i am not clued up on Co2 systems but i think it as something to do
with the amount or length of time the Co2 bubble is in contact with the water
but dont quote me on that but i think that's how it works
if i have got it wrong please put me right on this

the biffster

 

[RadaR]

i am not clued up on Co2 systems but i think it as something to do
with the amount or length of time the Co2 bubble is in contact with the water

Yeah that's pretty much it.
The CO2 bubbles are designed to go up the ladder and the longer they're in the water, the more the gas can dissolve(hence why the bubbles tend to get smaller as they go up the ladder). The bubbles never completely disappear though. I've never really liked ladders and use a ceramic glass diffuser instead.
These are different from the ladders because the gas is forced through a ceramic plate which creates tiny bubbles of CO2. The purpose is then for the bubbles to circulate all around the tank due to the flow of a filter of powerhead. Keeping these tiny bubbles blowing around the tank ensures good distribution of CO2. Btw, the smaller the bubbles, the easier it is for the CO2 to dissolve in the water to form carbonic acid.

All of these should work with DIY. Just make sure that all the connections of your DIY bottles/cannisters are strong because pressure does need to build up in order for the gas to force through the ceramic plate (this isn't the case for ladders).

Colombo Flora Grow Glass CO2 Nano Diffuser

UP C02 Nano Atomiser

UP CO2 Atomiser 20

 

[blackers92]

I knew i should of bought a glass diffuser

well I might order one then, should the diffuser be as low/ close to substrate as possible?

my ladder is currently about 3 inches from the surface

thanks for all the replies

 

[RadaR]

Choosing a spot for the diffuser is trial and error. However the main things to consider is to put the diffuser in good flow, that isn't blocked by anything so that all the bubbles can circulate the tank. Test out a few places and observe which is best.
I highly reccomend a drop checker as well so that you can judge if CO2 concentration is even in the tank. See the guide here.

P.S. the best possible test to determine whether you have enough CO2 is by watching the plants. Are they suffering from carbon deficieny or are they infected with low CO2 related algae? these are the things to look out for.

 

[OldMan47]

With a DIY system, you are usually producing CO2 slowly enough that a bubble that enters the ladder at the bottom, never leaves as a bubble. That means you are getting 100% of the CO2 dissolved into the water. That is pretty hard to beat in my book.

 

[blackers92]

I guess that is a pretty good point oldman47, occasionally though a bubble will go through the ladder and straight to the surface :\ I think it must happen if there is too much co2 in the ladder

as for the position of it, it is just next to the filter outake so it should get an even flow around the tank.

I cant really determine if there is any co2 deficiancy, my plants were fairly healthy without co2 and just some flourish fert weekly. I guess I will be able to tell in a few weeks.

thanks for all the advice

 

[haowin]

Just a thought, if its about the bubble contact period in the tank. with the tube the co2 enters the tank, if you cut along the pipe horizontally and have it at a slight angle so the bubbles gonna stay in the tube but carry itself along the tube and still able to diffuse itself in the tank? it makes sense to me, but i dont know about co2 diffusion and if it'd actaully work, but just an idea, dont know if im wording it right but i would've thought it'd work. the tube would have to be tight so the bubble cant escape.
I guess it could distribute co2 along the length of your tank