Just a thought - can I get CO2 into the inside of my TetraTec EX600 filter? I haven't yet got it set up and given I'd probably need a tiny bubble count if I can do this I'm wondering if it is possible? The filter becomes a large externall reactor I guess but I'm not sure if it can be done, there appears to be no 'standard' way of doing this?
Tetratec Ex600 - Getting Co2 Into The Filter?
- Thread starter nry
- Start date
George Farmer
ad aqua
I did this a while ago into a Fluval 204 external. I simply drilled a 6mm hole into the inlet tube, near the inlet strainer, and put the tube in. There's a thread on here somewhere about it I think.
You'll need a bubble counter to monitor bubble rate.
You'll need a bubble counter to monitor bubble rate.
JamesC
Fishaholic
Just keep in mind that adding CO2 directly into the filter can damage the rubber seals.
James
James
George Farmer
ad aqua
Can it, really?
Dave Spencer
Gort! Klaatu barada nikto.
I inject CO2 in to my AquaEl filter, but it is via a ceramic diffuser as opposed to one large bubble, to protect the impeller from possible cavitation.
I know James has mentioned before about Eheim frowning upon this practice, but if the CO2 was going to affect the seals, it will only happen more quickly, because a lot of us are running a high CO2 water column anyway. If the seals are affected by CO2, we are all doomed at some point, it`s just a case of how quickly.
Perhaps we need to be concerned about the effect on our plastic NRV internals, which operate in a 100% CO2 environment!
Dave.
I know James has mentioned before about Eheim frowning upon this practice, but if the CO2 was going to affect the seals, it will only happen more quickly, because a lot of us are running a high CO2 water column anyway. If the seals are affected by CO2, we are all doomed at some point, it`s just a case of how quickly.
Perhaps we need to be concerned about the effect on our plastic NRV internals, which operate in a 100% CO2 environment!
Dave.
As mentioned, the CO2 levels in the water are the same through the filter as far as I can tell (possibly some minor difference) because the filter will be pulling in CO2-laden tank water anyhow. Not overly concerned about seals etc.
I have a bubble counter/NRV so that is OK. I am hoping that with a lily pipe and putting CO2 through the filter I can knock my current 60bpm down significantly, should save the money I spent on the filter/pipes back in less than a year if I can save enough CO2! I'm guessing that I can 1/4 my current rate or perhaps better as I should be getting close to 100% of the CO2 from the cannister into the water - I did wonder about hooking up my Dymax atomiser inside somehow but I doubt there is the room unless I stick a hole through the filter cannister which I am not convinced on doing. Running low bubble counts also means it takes AGES for enough pressure to build up to get any CO2 to come out of the diffuser anyhow so that may make it pointless.
I have a bubble counter/NRV so that is OK. I am hoping that with a lily pipe and putting CO2 through the filter I can knock my current 60bpm down significantly, should save the money I spent on the filter/pipes back in less than a year if I can save enough CO2! I'm guessing that I can 1/4 my current rate or perhaps better as I should be getting close to 100% of the CO2 from the cannister into the water - I did wonder about hooking up my Dymax atomiser inside somehow but I doubt there is the room unless I stick a hole through the filter cannister which I am not convinced on doing. Running low bubble counts also means it takes AGES for enough pressure to build up to get any CO2 to come out of the diffuser anyhow so that may make it pointless.
JamesC
Fishaholic
It appears not to be the CO2 that is dissolved in the water that is a problem but CO2 gas that comes into contact with certain plastics and rubbers be it as a fine mist or larger bubbles. I noticed when I used to build my own CO2 reactors that after a while there was some evidence of the plastics going brittle. I was never bothered by it because at the time I used internal reactors. The corrosive properties of CO2 is also a reason why you have to be very careful with what materials and adhesives are used in external CO2 reactors.
As I mentioned before I know of someone who had an eheim filter that he injected CO2 into and where the rubber seals failed. He came home to a lovely wet floor. Eheim did replace the seals for him but also commented that they frown upon the practice due to the damage that CO2 can do.
Regarding warranties it isn't very clear cut if it is invalidated or not. Other people in the past have also commented about warranties so it's not only me.
Some people seem to have injected CO2 for ages with no apparent problem, but if it were me I think I would be concerned about it.
James
As I mentioned before I know of someone who had an eheim filter that he injected CO2 into and where the rubber seals failed. He came home to a lovely wet floor. Eheim did replace the seals for him but also commented that they frown upon the practice due to the damage that CO2 can do.
Regarding warranties it isn't very clear cut if it is invalidated or not. Other people in the past have also commented about warranties so it's not only me.
Some people seem to have injected CO2 for ages with no apparent problem, but if it were me I think I would be concerned about it.
James
George Farmer
ad aqua
Wow. Learnt something today... Thanks, James.
SuperColey1
Planted Section
The Gamba has a glass outer and ceramic inner valve. Is this for this very reason?
Andy
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