inline diffuser/atomiser

[krazypara3165]

just in the process of planning my aquarium build and im currently purchasing various co2 equipment.

my question is this, i have a 200l aquarium with a 2000lph external filter (allpondsolutions)

what is better? diffusers or reactors? from my very basic knowledge they all seem to do the same. i would rather have an in line one to keep the tank clear. it appears that they all do the same but the difference in prices is unbelievable. theres reactors online for £200 and up whereas my friends made one out of a length of pipe and by the time the water gets to his aquarium there are no bubbles so the result appears to be the same.

does anyone have any recommendations?

these are some i have in mind.....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CO2-Diffuse-R ... 562ca0f6b1

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Advanced-CO2- ... 3cb786d8ce

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/sera-Flore-CO ... 2a1c25bb9f

anyone use any of these?

 

[Antipofish]

Its true you can make a home made reactor. I think Alastair and Easerthegeezer did from memory. That 2.50 one, IMO would be useless, and I was told that the Sera ones tend to go brittle and crack badly, though it surprises me as Sera are usually very good. If I was to go with a reactor I would choose the Aqua Medic 1000 which retails around the £65 mark (in fact TGM sell them and are a site sponsor, but probably other sponsors sell it too).

Reactors will reduce your flow by up to 40% so bear this in mind as flow aids distribution of CO2 within the tank. Many people have their reactor on a second filter or on an external pump like an Eheim Compact or New Jet.

The inline atomisers, for the money, are excellent, but they do require higher working pressure than some of the cheap regs can provide. Many people find that a reg with user adjustable working pressure is necessary.

 

[Brian Murphy]

I am in the process of setting my Co2 system up but had problems with the diameter of the hose that came with it as they fit the mixer reactor but not my filter so just ordered some inline hose reducer joiners to make it fit better. After reading this though Im thinking my reactor might not be up to scratch for my 400l tank?? Only new to this Co2 business and my heads been wrecked since I got it as I have a Co2 system here ready to go but having hose issues and now this, Heres a pic of my mixer reactor, will I have to think again?