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CO2 Reactor Idea
I'm searching for an idea for a CO2 reactor that will fit within the
limitations of my system. Since my 110 planted tank serves as a room
divider, I don't want anything hanging off it and prefer not to have any
mechanical equipment in it. So far, the only mechanical item in it is the
return from the W/D filter.
Currently, I use an inverted "Tuperware" container for CO2 absorption. It
fits in the plenum area of the wet/dry filter. However. it does not have
sufficient surface area to achieve my desired CO2 levels (The highest I
have measured is about 10 ppm using a LaMotte test kit. For those of you
who don't think CO2 tests are very reliable, I have a kH= 1-1.5 and
pH=6.6-6.8.) I have tried adding the CO2 to the suction of the w/d pump,
but the resulting fine bubbles give the water a unattractive cloudy
appearance.
In searching for a simple system, I came up with the idea of using the
wet/dry filter itself. From a configuration standpoint, it has a high
wetted surface area making it ideal for the CO2 absorb into the water
phase. It would be very easy to seal it up to prevent the CO2 from
escaping into the air.
My question is will a CO2 rich environment in it harm the benefical
bacteria that live on the filter media. I am under the assumption that
these bacteria get most if not all of their O2 from the water phase rather
than from the air.
TIA,
Doug Skokna in Houston, TX, where the Rockets are 31-11
and we had tornadoes last night.