I just (an hour ago) switched from a vortex reactor to using a maxijet 600 powerhead (co2 line stuck in the intake) with a hydor 360 deflector. Kept my bubble rate the same, about one per second. Within the hour I saw a couple of my cardinals grab air from the surface, two of my emporer tetras huddled at the surface, and my panda corys running up and the sides of tank.

Wow I did not expect such a effect! Glad I didn't leave the house for awhile.
This setup is blowing super super fine bubbles to every corner of the tank. With the other setup the co2 was dissolved without bubbles, except a few bubbling out the bottom of the sponge then floating straight up.

So what's going on? Is the mist to fine and bad for the fish? My ph was 6.47 and kh is somewhere between 2-3

The attached pic is with the bubble count down turned down to about 20 bubbles per minute, ph is now at 6.82 and the fish are better. The pandas still are running around like crazy though.

I just solved a similar issue for someone about 2 hours ago.

What is the surface movement like in the tank and the circulation?
You should have some ripples on the surface, not a lot, but a good flow across the surface.

During the day, this will mix the CO2 better, and blow off any excess, so you will lose a little also, that's okay, it's cheap, at night the added current will add more O2.
During the day, the rapid pearling plants will add plenty of O2, the added current will help mix the O2 and the CO2.

They act independently, but due to the plant growth/pearlingm, there is a relationship.

You will also note a much improved fish health and plant health if you add the surface movement and the mist.

Mist is too intense for many set ups with the surface moevement, but even reactors have this issue also.

I think 6-7 x out 10, most folks have circulation issues rather than high CO2ppm issues directly, the CO2 is exacerbating the the low O2 effect on the fish and a little added O2 cures that right up.

Regards,
Tom Barr

Surface movement should be good? Aquaclear 20 on one side and emperor 280 on the other. Maxijet is off center towards the emperor. Tank is a 36gl bow front.

The plants have been going crazy since adding presurized co2 and doing EI, trimmed out two handfuls today.

Been fighting minor but stubborn staghorn though and that's why I just switched to mist.

Try using a canister filter with a spray bar, I think it'll do better for you.
But make sure the water level is the same, those HOB filters radically change the flow depending on water evaporation and water level.

You may just need better circulation.
It is very critical actually in CO2 injection.


Regards,
Tom Barr

When I switched to a bigger powerhead doing the CO2 mist thing I found that the powerhead current was very upsetting to the fish. I had to install the deflector on the output and aim it so the fish could easily avoid the current. Otherwise they did run around the tank in a "panic". If I understand right, you have a 36 gallon tank, and are now running about a bubble every 3 seconds. I use about 3 bubbles per second for my 29 gallon tank and no sign the fish are unhappy with it. Something doesn't seem right????

I thought the canister filters do not put oxygen in the water as does a hob. What canister would you recommend for my tank?

Vaughn if I turned it up to 3 bubbles per second there would be no use in having the aquarium, you would not be able to effectively see the fish, the tank would be one big swirling mist of co2, lol, maybe not that bad, but, it was buggin me at 1 bps.

I've attached a picture of my whole tank, maybe that will help.

I think he meant 1 bubble every 3 seconds, that's what I add to my 20 gal tank.

You could use more plants, some foreground plants.
A canister would look better and be easier over time.
the spray bars help a lot and the water level is less critical.

I like the Via Aqua brand, every bit as good as Ehiem and about 1/2 the cost.
Some like Rena, some like Ehiem etc.

Get the mid sized version, 200 gph size.

The power head you use for the CO2 need not be larger, just the filter flow blasting the current around can improve things for you.

Regards,
Tom Barr

Nope, my CO2 bubble counter says about 3 per second, and the impeller noise supports that - about three pops a second, followed by an occasional blast. And, I still occasionally get some BBA new growths on driftwood and hardware. Before I had it this high BBA was sprouting everywhere all the time.

In less than a month I will be replacing my 29 gallon tank with a 45 gallon one, using all the same hardware, so I will see how that works. Right now I am primarily just trying to have a tank full of plants for when I make the switch over.

I add 3 bubbles/second to a 150 gal tank.

1/8" ID tubing.

Regards,
Tom Barr