Dirty reactor with Algae. Does it affect its function?

[writemeplz]

Hi,
I am new to planted tank and have bought second hand CO2 setup. The problem is the reactor. It is sera and inside is covered with algae. I have tried to dismantle it but couldnt do it. If it affect the function, do you recommend a good reactor at decent price? Also the setup is for a 2ft tank but later on it may move to 4 or 6ft. Is it alright to use a reactor for 4-6ft for 2ft tank?
Thanks.

Cheers, Eddie

[ILLUSN]

wont affect the function, my advice would be to get a better one, i like my dupla one, but its very restrictive with 9mm inlets and outlets.

for a 2 foot tank a glass diffuser works great, for anything bigger look at a powered internal reactor like the tunze unit or even better bubble it into a small canister filter like a 2213 and you'll be set.

[writemeplz]

wont affect the function, my advice would be to get a better one, i like my dupla one, but its very restrictive with 9mm inlets and outlets.

for a 2 foot tank a glass diffuser works great, for anything bigger look at a powered internal reactor like the tunze unit or even better bubble it into a small canister filter like a 2213 and you'll be set.

The sera reactor is connect to a power head( it is from Red sea co2 system like DIY CO2 setup ). Is this connection still better than diffuser?
The guy who sold this unit connected the reactor with a cannister outlet rain bar. But my concern is ,as the bar stays in the top area of the tank, co2 bubbles does not have enough time to be mixed with the water. Is my logic correct? Also if the reactor is connected to cannister inlet, CO2 will damage the impellor. I read this somewhere. Please correct me.

[peppermintman]

Yes the Co2 will corrode the impellor in the canister filter. I have a glass defusser at bottom of tank with a power head at the top so the co2 have maxium time to disolve in the water and the it gets pushed around the tank.

[writemeplz]

Thanks for you advice. :D

[ILLUSN]

my 2213 has been used as a co2 reactor for 3 years, there is no damage done to the ceramic shaft or the impeller, in water co2 forms carbonic acid, this lowers the ph of yopur tank. as all the volume of your tank passes through the canister, so the carbonic acid is diluted out. if your canister cant handel the acidity of co2 being "fed" into it, it wont handel the acidity of your water, eheims dont have a problem with this. they handel my discus tanks at a ph between 4.8-6.0 at best a CO2 driven planted tank is going to be 6.0-6.5. not a problem.

[writemeplz]

[quote="ILLUSN"]my 2213 has been used as a co2 reactor for 3 years, there is no damage done to the ceramic shaft or the impeller, in water co2 forms carbonic acid, this lowers the ph of yopur tank. as all the volume of your tank passes through the canister, so the carbonic acid is diluted out. if your canister cant handel the acidity of co2 being "fed" into it, it wont handel the acidity of your water, eheims dont have a problem with this. they handel my discus tanks at a ph between 4.8-6.0 at best a CO2 driven planted tank is going to be 6.0-6.5. not a problem.[/quote


But does the CO2 passing through the filter affect the bacteria in there? I only have eheim 2227 ( with air tube ) for the planted tank. So it wouldnt be a good idea to use it as a reactor.. :( When I convert my 4ft with eheim 2215, I will use your advice. Thanks. Illusn. :)