co2 reactor question?

[creature100]

Hi there...i have just set up a powerhead/gravel cleaner style co2 reactor and i have a space at the top of my reactor that is filled with air about 1cm. Is this a bad thing? i think it is there because my input hose from the powerhead goes thru the top of the gravel cleaner by about 1 cm, as the air chamber is only above the input tube. also how strong do you need the input from the powerhead to be?

soerry if my description is a bit vague here.

Craig

[PHL]

Doesn't matter; the CO2 will dissolve to an equilibrium depending on the efficiency of your reactor. The "air space" (probably CO2) will just sit there and do no harm.

[creature100]

thanks....would some of this co2 be dissolving into the water similar to the upside down saucer method used by some? (a moving current of water passing beneath a bubble of co2?) one more question: is the current coming in the top of the chamber meant to be so strong that the co2 bubbles being released at the bottom of the chamber are prevented from reaching the surface at all?

thanks in advance.

Craig

[PHL]

Yes, some of the CO2 will dissolve by normal diffusion, and no, you don't need an excessively strong current. You are using Bio-balls in the tube to help provide turbulence, aren't you?

[creature100]

yeah i have about 10 bio balls on top of my sponge plug at the bottom. thanks for your help, i hope to be able to post a few pics in a couple of weeks.

CRAIG