setting up a CA reactor

powdertoastman · 11-12-2004, 12:32 PM

well i have no idea what to do when it comes to this kinda thing, but we got one with the 72g and i want to set it up to help keep our ph where it should be. right now i have a tank (full i think), gauge, bubble counter and some air line. i need to know what i need to set it up. im looking for the cheapest way that works really good (i dont want to spend like $50 to get it running). do i just need a chamber? and if so could someone post a blueprint of one and how it works for me?

thanks
nathan

Illusion · 11-12-2004, 01:01 PM

Well If all you have is the Co2 tank setup and not the actual media chamber you are looking at alot more than 50.00 to set it up... The actual reactor itself is anywheres from 200 to 400.00... If you idea ios to use it to help stablize the pH its not going to do that but have more of the opposite effect... When running the reactor the onlything it will stablize is the Ca, Alk and all other trace depending on media... They usually take a bit of a toll on the pH to the point where most have to drip Kalk at night if not 24/7 just to keep the pH in the 8.0 range...

James

powdertoastman · 11-12-2004, 01:14 PM

oh i thought it keeps ph up, atleast that is what ive read on other sites, guess they were wrong. and does anyone have a DIY way to set this up that wont cost $200+? i know there has to be a cheap way, because i cant belive some tubes and pvc can cost $200, and if i remember right from pics ive seen, that is about all it is.

nathan

powdertoastman · 11-12-2004, 01:24 PM

this is what im talking about, this thing is $149 online, and its nothing more then a tube with a top and bottom, and a small bulkhead. so question is, could i make that out of pvc with a cap on each end, drill it for hoses or whatever, and mount it in our sump? would be like $10 if even that. thanks

nathan

powdertoastman · 11-12-2004, 01:47 PM

well i decided to not set it up, as we are not going to turn the new tank into a SPS tank, so really no reason to run it. so ill be getting rid it along with a auto top off system that we cant use because we dont have a water source that can be used just for that.

nathan

dbelshe · 11-13-2004, 11:47 AM

Nathan, what kind of auto top off system do you have? what do you want for it and the tank/regulator stuff?

dbelshe · 11-13-2004, 11:50 AM

oops, just saw the other thread that is sold, sorry.