Air accumulation in CO2 reactor
 

Hi all,

I have a CO2 reactor setup in my 55gal freshwater tank. I have a
powerhead pulling water in through 4 foam filters (providing some
biological filtration), exiting the powerhead into a 1/2" tube going
across to the other side of the tank. At the end of that tube is a 1
litre soda bottle reactor. CO2 is piped in the bottom through a wooden
airstone and the stream of water coming from the top churns it up. A
piece of coarse filter media is at the bottom of the soda bottle.

Here's the problem... air (or some gas other than injected CO2) seems
to accumulate in the reactor. It's not excess injected CO2, because it
accumulates even when the CO2 is not hooked up. The air seems to
accumulate throughout the day, then dissipate at night. Early in the
AM, the reactor is empty save for the stream of water and a few CO2
bubbles (if the CO2 is actually connected). By late afternoon the
reactor is about 1/3 full of air. By the next morning, the air is gone
again.

I don't think it's a stretch to suggest the light (4 T5's currently)
may have something to do with it.

If someone can offer some insight into what may be happening and, even
better, what to do about it, I would be most grateful.

- Joe Barta

It's not air, it's O2 degassing in the Reactor(it's got as much lower
solulbility than CO2).

This is why I use a venturi to control the level on the internal design
and the external design CO2 DIY I suggest folk to try out, they cost 3
for the internal and it's the easiest to use.

As this bubble buids up and reaches a pre set level, then it'll expell
the excess gases, maintaining efficiency throughout the day through a
venturi action. This also increases O2 saturation as well.

See www.BarrReport.com

Register a user name and password, then go to image galleries and
you'll see the simple design that uses a 2$ piece of plastic and a
powerhead. Looks good as well and is small.
Takes 10 minutes or so to make.

It'll be awhile before the external DIY model is put up there for the
general public.

Regards,
Tom Barr






Regards,
Tom Barr

wrote:

See www.BarrReport.com

Register a user name and password,

Well, seems like "register a user name" is lamespeak for "I want
$12.95". I have nothing against a man trying to make a buck and I wish
you many happy customers. But let's call a spade a spade here... you're
not looking for a username, you're looking for money. At least have
enough pride in what you do to be straightforward about it.

I appreciate your tip, but I'll pass on the "registration".

-Joe Barta

wrote in message
oups.com...

wrote:

See www.BarrReport.com

Register a user name and password,

Well, seems like "register a user name" is lamespeak for "I want
$12.95". I have nothing against a man trying to make a buck and I wish
you many happy customers. But let's call a spade a spade here... you're
not looking for a username, you're looking for money. At least have
enough pride in what you do to be straightforward about it.

I appreciate your tip, but I'll pass on the "registration".

-Joe Barta

Joe!

Registration is FREE. I made the same mistake;)

Tom's a good guy ;)

Oz

--
My Aquatic web Blog is at http://members.optusnet.com.au/ivan.smith

Tom, it seems that no matter how much you try to offer this material for
free, some not so bright individual finds a way to trash your attempts.

Tom Barr is without question the most sincere and giving person I've had
the pleasure to meet online. He has tirelessly given help to hundreds of
people who ask the same questions over and over again. Tom's valve to
anyone who wants to learn how to keep a successful planted tank is worth
dozens of times more than the $12.95 he charges only to those seeking
advanced information in newsletter form. But to access the FREE
information requires only a user name...what a huge investment, typing
in and registering a name. If you care to do some research you can
search for Tom's posts in this and other newsgroups along with the
archives of the APD (Aquatic Plant Digest) and the always popular
website The Krib. Tom's help doesn't stop there, he offers help and
encouragement on a regular basis on most plant oriented website
forums/message boards. His credentials are prodigious, but it's his
willingness to offer this advanced knowledge and expertise without
charge that frankly stuns me. No one is as generous as Tom with time and
effort.

Whether someone finds value in the subscription portion of The Barr
Report is not an issue and it's not my point. My point is to defend the
good intentions of a very good man trying to help folks...even those who
are quick to slam down his efforts when offering the FREE help. My fear
is that one all these pesky people who complain about a free offer will
finally take it's toll and Tom will decide to stop donating his valuable
time here and other online places.

Tom, from all your many friends and acquaintances across the web, please
accept this post as more important and more lasting in your memory than
the one prior. Thank you for your past efforts in helping me and others
online. The depth and scope of what I've learned from you is invaluable.
I try to pass along the advice and knowledge that you so freely gave to
me, and I do so as the ultimate compliment to you and the work you do.

Steve Hampton

wrote:
wrote:


See www.BarrReport.com

Register a user name and password,


Well, seems like "register a user name" is lamespeak for "I want
$12.95". I have nothing against a man trying to make a buck and I wish
you many happy customers. But let's call a spade a spade here... you're
not looking for a username, you're looking for money. At least have
enough pride in what you do to be straightforward about it.

I appreciate your tip, but I'll pass on the "registration".

-Joe Barta

Registration is FREE. I made the same mistake;)

Tom's a good guy ;)


Thanks. I see that now. I kept running into requests for $12.95 and it
says nothing about registration being free. My mistake.

-Joe Barta

Steve, I suppose some may claim I'm not too bright... and who am I to
argue? ...but another poster claims to have made the same assumption.
It's not a stretch to suppose than MANY visitors referred to his site
make the same assumption. So while I don't doubt that many find great
usefulness in his offerings, it might not be a bad idea for him to be a
little clearer that the registration is free. Just a thought.

wrote:
wrote:


See www.BarrReport.com

Register a user name and password,


Well, seems like "register a user name" is lamespeak for "I want
$12.95". I have nothing against a man trying to make a buck and I wish
you many happy customers. But let's call a spade a spade here... you're
not looking for a username, you're looking for money. At least have
enough pride in what you do to be straightforward about it.

I appreciate your tip, but I'll pass on the "registration".

-Joe Barta

If you haven't figured it out yet, the person in question is best
killfiled and forgotten. Following on to any of the idiotic, uniformed
blather emitted is the surest way possible to encourage more of the same.

wrote in message
oups.com...
Registration is FREE. I made the same mistake;)

Tom's a good guy ;)


Thanks. I see that now. I kept running into requests for $12.95 and it
says nothing about registration being free. My mistake.

I do think the site, on a superficial reading, gives the impression that
money is the main thing Tom's after, but in reflection it's occurred to me
that we, "the great Internet public", have been somewhat bombarded for so
long with web sites that claim free access to something, only to find out
post registration that credit cards have been charged, mail boxes spammed
and a thousand and one other scams tried on.

I suspect that in all of us there is a natural tendency to generalise (as
opposed to taking each site on it's merits) having been stung by all the
tricks around these days.

I think for the glancing browsers, Tom should consider making it a little
more obvious that most of his stuff is free, and he won't spam the ass off
you or in general, do you any harm or harassment.

It's rare these days to get something for free on the Internet (really free)
and even less rare to come across an individual like Tom. It may just be a
site design issue after all, and believe me, if I were more financially
able, I would send the (A$27.00) he's asking for "The Barr Report" because
as he states: there is so much guff in overpriced printed Aquaria
publications that contain masses of advertising (I don't read printed stuff
any more because of the advertising outweighing the actual content pages),
and for less than the price of a yearly subscription to one of these real
magazines, in which you are paying for advertising, you can get Tom's
e-zine, ad free.

I'm not necessarily having a go at you or Tom about any of this. I am just
amazed at how I personally slipped into suspicion, made a generalised and
regrettable post a day later, to only realise now what a silly thing it was
to do, and how presumtious one can become so easily.

Every one makes mistakes. Every one feels vulnerable and every one has a
right to free thought and speech.

Don't worry too much about the oversight. I'm sure yourself and myself
aren't the only ones that see that page and think it's going to cost, but
the bottom line is that the value of "free" on Tom's site, is actually free,
except for the download cost, and you have the conscious choice whether to
sign up or not - there is no hidden agenda I can see other than a true
altruistic desire to help people with their aquariums.

So, have we seen the pics of the fantastic CO2 Reactor yet? I am going to
build one in a couple of weeks when I get a small power head. It looks like
the best design I've seen around and best of all as Tom states, it's self
regulating, which is real bonus with over productive or inefficient yeast
based systems.

Oz

--
My Aquatic web Blog is at http://members.optusnet.com.au/ivan.smith