ADA Glass Diffusers vs other brands

[John N.]

It's been a while since I owned a ADA Glass diffuser (Polllen Glass Beetle), and I couldn't afford or justify another mishap of dropping it again. Talk about losing $100 in an instant! Anyways, I digress...

Is there a noticeable benefit to using an ADA brand Glass diffuser verses the knock off brands? Don't they work the same way and don't we encounter the same issues with both?

-John N.

[Orlando]

Very true, they do work the same. The only real benefit from knock off to ADA is looks.
ADA has better attention to detail. The knock offs are a little rough around the edges.

[goalcreas]

Well, I have never used an ADA diffuser.
Just couldn't justify that kind of $.
I have been very happy with my knock off's, especially the Rhinox.
I have broken a few and am still only out about $20 instead of the $200 plus that I would have been out with ADA.

[GreenFanatic]

Emm... interesting topic... it's a bit like comparing German made cars with Korean or Japanese with China for that matter.

[Roy Deki]

I have both and I must say the bubbles are smaller with the ADA diffusers, but cost difference doesn't seem to justify the ADA line IMHO.

[Jdinh04]

I don't think there is really a difference. Right now I have 3 different types of diffusers, the regular mini glass diffuser, the rhinox 2000?, and the ADA glass diffuser 20 large. I am hesitant with using the ADA diffuser, so I mainly keep it for looks. But you may be asking, why did you buy it then?, thing is I didn't! haha, I actually won it at a raffle.

[Roy Deki]

There is a difference with the bubble size definately at a higher bubble rate.

[jeff120]

I never had the courage to try the ADA ones, I shattered a cheap glass on putting it on the CO2 tubing ones, stabbed the damn stem right into my hand, THAT HURT! Then I had to poke it b/c I thought I had glass in there.
But with the cheap ones I never get the full disk to bubble, only comes out about 1/4-1/2 of the disk.

John if you are looking to sell the ada one Id like to try it, send me a PM

[John N.]

The ADA glass diffusers are more durable in hand then they appear, and stronger then the knock off brands. But as Roy mentioned, it's hard to justify spending excess money on something that a much cheaper product can do at a reasonable effectiveness. In my experience with both types, the bubbles are only finer on the ADA ones during the initial use. After a few days, it ends up dirty and produces about the same as the other brands.

I'm not sure if they are nicer looking then the alternative brands either. In my opinion they look the same, and most people who visit my home don't even notice it. So if the function is the same, I think in the end it all comes down to preference. Like $400 Coach Purses compared to Chinatown's Coach Purses.

-John N.

[Pat7676]

Is there any kind of way to clean these mine has some gunk on the part where the diffuesed bubbles come out?

[goalcreas]

put it in a cup of bleach for about 10 or 15 minutes.
Then rinse VERY VERY well.
I rinse the crap out of it, then actually let them sit until I have to clean the other one. I pretty much have two for each tank, that way I can really clean them well and let them sit out for a while.

I do know many who so the bleach thing, some just poor bleach over the disc (if that is the only thing that is dirty) and hold it until it turns white, then run it under the faucet for about 5 minutes, then right back into the tank.

I was shocked the first time I saw it and was sure it was BAD, but they did it for a long time, before I was even keeping plant tanks and assured me it was OK, so I started doing it.

It really cleans out the disc, and the bubbles start flowing like when it was new again.

Anybody have any other ways to do it, I would be interested in trying other ways also.

[MiSo]

bleaching diffusers work well for me. just be sure to let it sit in a dechlorinator before putting it back in the tank.

another method i've tried recently was during my last water change. i raised the diffuser to the top of the aquarium and poured h202 onto the disk. it sat for about 20 minutes. it works okay but not great. there was a huge improvement but there was still a hint of green on the disk. imagine the algae becoming a bit faded. overall though, i like this method because its easier than taking the diffuser out, letting it sit in bleach, letting it sit in prime, then putting it back into the tank.

[Pat7676]

Thanks for the answers!!