Mazzei injector (venturi)

[George]

For redundant aeration on separate power source, I'm considering a Mazzei venturi.  They have no moving parts to wear out and I'd use a low-wattage, relatively inexpensive, submersible pump to drive it.  I haven't thought of a downside to this yet.  Anyone have experience or know someone doing it?  Any thoughts, pro or con?

[RupertofOZ]

Save yourself some money... and make one yourself..

[George]

That was my first thought and then I questioned whether my hit or miss design would work as well as a manufactured product.  They list a lot of injectors and match the injector to flow rates.  On the other hand, I've spent a good bit of money on my system so saving some is not a bad idea.  I'll try a DIY version or two first - PVC is relatively cheap.  Any thoughts on whether or not a spray bar would be as effective as a venturi?

Thanks.

RupertofOZ said:

Save yourself some money... and make one yourself..

[Ryan Chatterson]

The main con would be nitrogen gas bubble disease in your fish. If you compress air through a mazzei venturi instead of pure oxygen or say ozone, you can cause nitrogen supersaturation pretty quickly unless off gassed.

I would just use a medium pore air stone with uniform bubbles.