How does everyone feel about external co2 reactors? I'm not trying to make a vs. thread, just wondering if there are any major trade offs.

I was really hooked on the diffusers because I like to see the bubbles and have read some pros here about misting, but I constantly break the glass ones; limewood diffusers work great, but they need cleaning often and seem to start letting out larger and less bubbles - Especially right when I don't have to time to clean it.

I'd like to build a DIY external reactor in hopes that I can have low maintenance, consistent diffusion, but I enjoy the pearling.

Right now I'm looking at my tank, and all things co2 being equal, I'm seeing 1/3 of the bubbles floating across the tank that I normally have. A water change and a limewood cleaning would fix this, but todays not the day, and I fear that this may be a big player in my algae problems. I suppose going a whole photoperiod with poor diffusion makes for a bad tank day on a 10gal.

Also, I really don't have room for a venturi in my 10gal if anyone is going in that direction.