Do these Diffusers actually work?

[Emyr]

http://www.aquaessentials.co.uk/tmc-aqu ... -3913.html

I am wondering if this will be effective in my new 30L nano. Just wondering how effective they are and whether anyone has any experience or opinions on them?

 

[Matt Warner]

Hi, they are crap. The reason being is that you can't keep the co2 level constant with them. Varying co2 levels are just asking for algae problems.

 

[Emyr]

I understand that they work by filling the chamber up with co2 inside the tank and just leaving it full of co2, the plants take the gas in as needed. There is no constant pooring of co2 into the aquarium like with a ceramic diffuser. Is that right?

 

[Matt Warner]

I don't think that they work like that, they are more all or nothing. The co2 diffuses into the water at an unpredictable rate depending on temperature. The co2 in the chamber could diffuse in an hour or it could take 2 hours. Ceramic diffusers are much better as the co2 levels stay more stable, which is what you want.

 

[Emyr]

So you fill the chamber up with co2 and leave it to somehow get into the water just by it being there for the plants to use. How does the temperature then determine how quickly the co2 is used up by the plants? I use a ceramic on all my tanks but am just intrigued as to how this one works.

 

[jacko32]

i can say from experience that they absolutely dont work at all