Guide to CO2 pinball, CO2 diffuser, Paffrath bowl and CO2 reactor: What is most effective, a Pinball, a Paffrath shell, Reactor or a diffuser to solve the CO2 of a CO2 plant most effectively could be one of the questions. Or what exactly is that Difference between a diffuser and reactor? Then there are terms like an active reactor or a passive reactor and what is the difference here.
In this guide article we want to shed some light into the darkness. Not all models are equally suitable for dissolving carbon dioxide in water. Ultimately, this is about the effectiveness of the respective devices and methods. The better you manage to dissolve the CO2 from the compressed gas tank in the water, the more effective and economical the system is. Losses should be limited.
Why do I need a CO2 diffuser, CO2 flipper, Paffrath CO2 bowl or CO2 reactor in the aquarium at all?
Beginners who have not yet dealt extensively with the subject of CO2 fertilization will ask themselves what a device like the one we have mentioned above is actually needed for. The CO2, which is supposed to increase the proportion of carbon dioxide in the water, must also be dissolved in the water so that it can in turn be absorbed by the plants. To do this, we have to try to release the bubbles from the compressed gas tank as best we can. If you simply put a hose into the aquarium, the bubbles would quickly move up and mix with the air. The effect would fizzle out very quickly.
To prevent this from happening, a device is needed at the end of the hose, which allows us to create more effectiveness. The pinball machine, diffuser and reactor in various designs are used for this purpose.
- Loss-free enrichment with carbon dioxide, the main plant nutrient: CO2 diffuser for freshwater aquariums up to 400 l from a height of 30 cm
- Easy to install: connect the diffuser to the CO2 fertilizer system with a special hose (not included), place it in the aquarium with suction cups
- Visible and efficient diffusion of CO2, operation without an additional pump, no separate bubble counter required, easy cleaning, completely dismountable, suitable for all common CO2 systems, expandable
- Collection cap to prevent CO2 loss, robust macrolon, up to max. 400 l at 4°KH, up to 200 l at 10°KH
- Scope of delivery: 1 x JBL ProFlora Taifun, CO2 high diffusion reactor, 64460, size: 190 mm, incl. 2 m CO2 special hose
- Ideal for small and very small aquariums
- Made of high quality crystal glass
- Can be combined with all CO2 systems
- including long-life teat, transparent
- Ultra fine atomization
- Efficient CO2 atomization through ceramic membrane
- Improve the growth and health of your plants with sufficient CO2 supply
- 4cm diameter, designed for tanks up to 250 liters
- U pipe Guides the CO2 hose over the edge of the pool without kinking
- Package Includes: 1x Pollen CO2 Diffuser, 1x Glass U pipe, 2x Suction Cup
What is a CO2 diffuser anyway?
Before we deal with the most effective forms of pinball, diffusers and reactors, we should clarify what a diffuser actually is. Basically, it is about making many small bubbles out of a large one and thus making the bubbles smaller. The smaller the bubbles, the faster they can dissolve in the water. In addition, of course, the number of bubbles is also important, which is why we are going to refer to ours again at this point Advice on setting up a CO2 system and also on the Calculation of the correct CO2 requirement want to refer.
Of course, one will now ask oneself how does a diffuser do this crushing. Basically, there are different systems here, one of which has probably become the most widespread. Basically it's about using a membrane technology. Most manufacturers such as JBL, Aquasabi, Aqua Rebell, Sera, Tetra and CO produce this using a ceramic disc. Basically it is a very simple principle. The CO2 is pushed through the membrane/ceramic by the gas and the pressure and the bubbles are broken up into many small ones. It only gets difficult if you don't have enough pressure. Therefore, when choosing the right diffuser, you should pay close attention to the information provided by the manufacturer. Especially if it is a bio CO2 system.
Bio Co2 systems usually have the problem that there is too little pressure there and this is not sufficient to get the introduced CO2 through the membrane. Therefore, the diffuser method is usually only used in systems with 500g or 2 kg compressed gas containers.
Principle of slow CO2 dissolution
We have already explained what a diffuser is. But there are also so-called pinball machines. Here you can also work with very little pressure because basically it is about making the path of a bubble up to the surface as long as possible. The longer this "on the way" is, the more it can dissolve in the water. This is what pinballs are for. They prevent the direct path to the water surface and either let the bubbles rise in a carousel like a spiral, or like a pinball machine in which the bubbles have to climb a kind of staircase.
Most manufacturers have different designs. The length of a flipper can also be selected accordingly. The longer the way, the better you manage not to let any more bubbles escape at the top, then the CO2 is most effectively dissolved.
- Loss-free enrichment with carbon dioxide, the main plant nutrient: CO2 diffuser for freshwater aquariums up to 400 l from a height of 30 cm
- Easy to install: connect the diffuser to the CO2 fertilizer system with a special hose (not included), place it in the aquarium with suction cups
- Visible and efficient diffusion of CO2, operation without an additional pump, no separate bubble counter required, easy cleaning, completely dismountable, suitable for all common CO2 systems, expandable
- Collection cap to prevent CO2 loss, robust macrolon, up to max. 400 l at 4°KH, up to 200 l at 10°KH
- Scope of delivery: 1 x JBL ProFlora Taifun, CO2 high diffusion reactor, 64460, size: 190 mm, incl. 2 m CO2 special hose
The principle of the Paffrath channel / bowl for the CO2 solution
There is also another principle called the Paffrath channel. This basically creates a trough or bowl of CO2. This then sits under the water surface and the water should always get some CO2 from it and thus dissolve it well. This principle works particularly well with a bio CO2 system and is also included in many sets. The CO2 gas does not require pressure and only has to be fed into the bowl. There it can then be gradually dissolved in the water. A pretty good invention. BIO CO2 systems also have the problem that the amount of CO2 produced and emitted is not always the same and can only be adjusted with difficulty.
So let's summarize. With a Paffrath channel and bowl you have the advantage that the CO2 gas is caught in a bowl even in a system that is rather difficult to regulate. The size of the shell and the attachment can be varied accordingly. This means that the dissolved CO2 can also be influenced in this way, although it is generally more difficult to regulate a bio CO2 system.
designs and materials
Of course, the various devices are also available in different sizes, designs and materials. Especially the devices made of glass make a lot. Be it in the nano aquarium or in larger tanks. On the one hand there are the diffusers or on the other hand the Paffrath bowl in glass. Of course, these should always be cleaned accordingly, because the ceramic surfaces in particular can be covered with algae. This then reduces the function of a membrane. Therefore, for proper and effective operation, care should be taken not to neglect cleaning.
| # | Preview | Products | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | JBL PROFLORA CO2 TAIFUN GLASS MIDI, CO2 diffuser, For freshwater aquariums from 40-300 l, Made of glass | 14,49 EUR | View product | |
| 2 |  | CENPEK 2 Piece Pollen Glass CO2 Diffuser with Bubble Counter for Planted Aquariums | 9,99 EUR | View product | |
| 3 |  | JBL PROFLORA CO2 Taifun Glass Maxi | 18,98 EUR | View product |
CO2 Active Reactors and Passive Reactors / Inline Diffuser
After we have already dealt with the flippers and diffusers, there are other devices that manage to release CO2 in the aquarium. All previous devices have one thing in common. They are all placed in the aquarium. If you don't want this, you should delve into the reactors, because they can also be used outside of the aquarium.
This principle is also quite simple, but the aquarium has to be modified somewhat. On the one hand, you have to route the filter inlet through this device. As a result, the CO2 is then introduced outside the aquarium. This device does not require electricity, but you should have an external filter. If this is not the case, a separate pump is required. However, the operating principle is very effective, because the water is swirled in a container and thus mixes with the CO2 from the compressed gas container. There are a lot of designs here too. Manufacturers such as JBL or Sera have different models that make use of this principle. Sera calls the devices Flore CO2 and JBL ProFlora Direct. JBL still speaks of an inline diffuser here. This also means that this device is installed in the filter circuit of the aquarium.
Which diffuser / reactor or pinball do I take now?
Basically saying that this or that is the best would be wrong. Basically, it always depends on the requirements. Be it not having an additional device in the aquarium or working with a BIO CO2 system. Or the respective size of the aquarium can also play a role.
Certainly, the reactors with their turbulence system are very effective, but not always usable for a nano aquarium, for example. The beautiful glass diffusers with a membrane are better suited here. Each device has its advantages and disadvantages. We will present the bestsellers to you in another article.
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