• You are viewing the forum as a Guest, please login (you can use your Facebook, Twitter, Google or Microsoft account to login) or register using this link: Log in or Sign Up

Improving CO2/Circulation in a nano

GillesF

GillesF

Member
Joined
21 Jun 2011
Messages
279
Location
Belgium
Hi guys

I have some thread algae/BBA in my tank due to low CO2/bad circulation. This is how the nano looks like (without the hardscape):

http://i43.tinypic.com/2uemh4k.jpg

Specs:

30x15x25cm
150l/h external mini cannister filter
Full EI dosing
4,5w LED, 7 hours/day
CO2 injection through diffuser (+ liquit carbon atm against the algae)

So the flow goes from left to right (30cm) with the diffuser in the front right corner. This gives good CO2 distribution at the front but not at the back.

I don't like using liquid carbon because I'm often away during weekends. I can put a longer spray bar at the back but I'm afraid this will decrease circulation even further (150l/h in theory but much lower in reality, Chinese filters ...). Inline diffusers are not an option because the diameter of the outlet tubing is 11mm.

Does anyone know how I could improve the CO2 distribution with the diffuser?

Thanks for the help,
Gilles


*edit* I noticed that the Up Aqua atomizer is available in 8/12mm. I assume this will fit?
 
Hi Giles,
Have you tried moving the diffuser to the the left wall, central, below the spraybar? Injection rate increase will also help.

Cheers,
 
Hi Clive

the injection rate is already quite high. Last week I almost lost a fish after increasing it just a little bit. Can I assume the problem is not the injection rate problem but rather the circulation? The spraybar does mix the CO2 pretty well but I think the java fern sort of blocks the CO2 bubbles?

I'll try and place the diffuser at the other side and see what happens. I'm also thinking of replacing the glass diffuser by the smallest version of the Up atomizer. Less equipment in the tank and probably better distribution too. Do you think it will fit?
 
I would be more inclined to run the spraybar along the back of the tank, top of your picture. As it is now the flow has to travel the full width of the tank before hitting a wall and being pushed down and back. With the spraybar on the back, you will gain flow rate as the flow has less distance to travel to the front of the tank before being deflected down and to the back.
 
spyder said:
I would be more inclined to run the spraybar along the back of the tank, top of your picture. As it is now the flow has to travel the full width of the tank before hitting a wall and being pushed down and back. With the spraybar on the back, you will gain flow rate as the flow has less distance to travel to the front of the tank before being deflected down and to the back.
Click to expand...

I'll probably do that in combination with the Up atomizer.
 
KrisHumphreys1991 said:
Oh I see :) thanks for the link.
Is the flow any good on it ?
Sorry for Hijacking the thread :oops:

Kris
Click to expand...

It's not bad but I was expecting more from it. I think bad design slows down the flow. Only paid 25€ for it though ...
 
KrisHumphreys1991 said:
Ah well, I guess you get what you pay for these days. Not a bad price for what it is though.
Click to expand...

Yeah, it is much better than my nano internal filter and it has a lot more filter media in it.
 
I was able to connect a 12/16 atomizer to the inlet tubing, I'm looking forward to seeing the results. The spraybar is about 9mm, does someone know where I can get a clear 9mm spray bar?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top