first trip into a high tech set up

[genocidex]

so heres my set up right now,
55g with AC 50, and AC 70 filters, jager 300w heater, dual t5ho lights (nova extreme).

to add into my tank for co2:
Milwaukee MA957 CO2 Regulator ($101)
5# co2 tank ($65 off CL)
modified AC50 from above
drop checker ($10 off amazon with 4dkh solution)
co2 swap at airgass ($25)

i added in the prices of everything because when i was first starting i was always asking for estimates on all the equipment i was going to but and i never found a good answer ever. so far the cost is $201. so you might be wondering how am i diffusing my co2 into the tank? i didnt list any atomizer or diffuser on the list, nor did i list any power heads or other common ways to diffuse the co2.

i found an article a while back about diffusing the co2 into an AC filter so i modded my filter like so:

used all these things (look familiar?)
used items.jpg

and i used these as a wood diffuser: 1.50 at my local market and i only had to use one XD
apple sticks.jpg
i cut the top of one of the sticks to about an inch or 2, and the spike allowed it to fit in the tubing perfectly.

what you see is 2 sponges and a biomax, one sponge is cut to 2/3s its length to give a pocket for bubbles to collect like this
filter set up.jpg

i fed the co2 tubbing threw the hole in the plate in the filter like this:
prehole.jpg
but that made priming nearly impossible so after i tested it out, i drilled a 2nd hole just for the co2 tubing leaving the priming hole open.
drilled hole.jpg
put everthing back together and the bubbles started to catch at the sponge like i was hoping, this is a good thing because it gives that gas a chance to dissolve.

[genocidex]

heres how the bubbles worked inside the filter:
bubbles.jpg
and a close up of where the tubing was placed in the filter
close up.jpg

it seems to be working good, and i guess for using hob filters, its actually working good. my next posting will be of how im making a flow diverter.

[Errol]

Hi. Tinkering is indeed fun in this hobby.

I first started my tank in Feb 2013. All I was looking for was a trouble free way to diffuse co2 with a hob.
1- tried an intank powerhead and diffused directly into the impeller. Made my water look like 7-up, took up in tank space
2- tried intank diffusers- ceramic, bamboo stick, etc. too much maintanence, clogging issues, inconsistant
3- done your prescribed method, diffuser will clog, was not getting enough co2 in tank

My method works for me. Is it the best? No, but I've been running it for 8 months now and no maintanance. No clogging and very consistant.

My tinkering days are done on my tank, but it was fun. All I do is maintanance. Kind of gets boring now....gl

IMG_4936.jpg

I am using a DIY co2 consisting of 2l of water, 2 cup sugar, 1tsp yeast and regulated with a mouse solenoid. Solution is changed every week.


IMG_4935.jpg

Hole in hob inlet allows for the stainless needle to be inserted


IMG_4943.jpg

Stainless needle is pinched to counteract the suction from the intake tube.


IMG_4945.jpg