New Reactor Design

[Cali Kid]

I re-plumbed the reactor for a few reasons:


Here's what it looked like before:

http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/sh...5&pagenumber=2

1) The darn thing wouldn't fit under the tank.
2) John Guest Speed Fittings!! Wooo Hooo!
3) The effluent output was not at the highest section of the reactor (this caused air to be trapped at the top near the cap)

Well.... here's the new design:

Let me know what you think. (good or bad)

[Cali Kid]

I tapped out this rio 800 to a 1/4 NPT and outfitted it with John Guest speed fitting. This is my supply to the reactor. I love these fittings

[Cali Kid]

Here it is ...under the tank

I have the effluent dripping into a small container with an airstone to remove excess co2.

OK - how long before I can test the effluent for dKH, PH and Ca?

co2 input currently at approx. 10-12 BPM.

I hope this works. I'm having a hell of a time keeping the ca and alk balanced and at appropriate levels.

[Jimbo]

Cool you answered my question about trapped co2 in the reactor. Thats where I was going to put the effluent out on my reactor also. Way to go Where did you get your guages at and how much did you pay for them, do you have a bubble counter, did you make it

[Jimbo]

I was just thinking that it might be better to force the gas back through the reactor somehow. This way you use less co2. I wonder if you can't put a small tube at the top and run it to the area right before the pump to suck in the gas and recirculate it. Just a thought. My sump looks just like yours even with the holes drilled in the stand You would need to adjust the bubble rate so that no gas accumulates in the reactor.

[Cali Kid]

Hey Thanks Jimbo,

"My sump looks just like yours even with the holes drilled in the stand"

Great minds think alike

I purchased the regulator and most of my co2 accessories from marine depot. I just can't say enough about the John Guest speed fittings

I purchased some parts from Aquatic Ecosystems and most of the plumbing parts from the local hardware store.

I may look into addressing an excess co2 issue should it arise. But for now, I don't think that it is a problem. I'm new to the ca reactor world, but I believe an indication that excess co2 will significantly drop your ph. Mine ranges from about 8.1 to about 8.4.

This was a fun DIY project and has given me more confidence to try more DIY.

Here is where I got most of the info for this reactor:

http://www.animalnetwork.com/fish2/a.../2/default.asp