Calcium reactor help

[reedman]

OK. I am thinking I may need to get/make a calcium reactor soon so I am asking all of you for some guidance.

1) If you have built one, please povide some insight into what worked well and what you'd change. Mayeb a material list (if you have it) and sources for materials.

2) What are the initial costs (i.e. CO2 bottle, regulator, solinoid, bubble counter, etc.)

3) Good sources for the various components

4) media you prefer

5) other helpful insight for a rookie to the calc reactor world

Thanks in advance for the help.

-Reed

 

[big t]

I would definately get one Reed! It is totally worth it imho.

Cost breakdown for a diy version is about like this

plastic - 10-50 Depends on your skills and if you make it all or use pvc and what not
JG fittings - 20
PVC plumbing - 15 - 25
pump - $50 - ?
Bottle - 60 + 15 to fill
Reg w/ needle valve and soleniod - 80
media - 20 for 8lb jug of ARM
PH mon - 80

pre made cal reactors are usually 300 to 500 (eek) w/ no co2 or regulator!!!

 

[Zephrant]

Tom has it about nailed- CO2 tanks, regulators and controllers are available from the mail order shops like Custom Aquatic. I suggest a 10# tank, it is still small enough to fit in a stand, but double the capacity of a 5# tank.

The controller is not required, but is nice as you need to measure the pH a lot when setting it up and the controller is also a pH monitor, so is faster than running tests.

For fittings, Savko or www.portagespecialty.com work well. I get most of mine from www.mcmaster.com as I buy a lot of plumbing fittings that the above sites don't carry at the same time. Home Depot also has a selection of speed-fit fittings, so might have what you need.

Zeph

 

[reedman]

Tom, Zeph,

Thanks for the advice. I am definitely pushing the limit of what I can do with a kalk reactor and alk additives. Corals must be growing I guess.

Keep the advice coming if you got it. I want to go into this as educated as possible. I've learned to spend the $$ upfront.

 

[clownnrnd]

DIY can be fun but I would keep a eye out for a good used one. I like the German manufacturers. I bet if your not in a hurry you might be able to find one for pretty close to what you would spend in acrylic,recirculating pump and fittings,etc.

 

[reedman]

Some follow up questions:

What are you using for a feed pump to the reactor?

How much of a difference is there between a top down water flow and a bottom up water flow?

How important is a second chamber. I understand it increases the PH before it gets to the effluent, but what other purpose does the second chamber serve?

If you were buying a prebuilt reactor, what features would you look for?

When looking for a regulator, what is important, and where would you suggest looking?

Thanks all.

 

[DonW]

What are you using for a feed pump to the reactor?
Nothing its venturi fed.

How much of a difference is there between a top down water flow and a bottom up water flow?
Pushing the water up through the media really helps with sediment compacting.

How important is a second chamber. I understand it increases the PH before it gets to the effluent, but what other purpose does the second chamber serve?
It will disolve some of the media also, larger capacity.

If you were buying a prebuilt reactor, what features would you look for?
Self feeding and reputation. Personally I would go Deltec or Korlin

When looking for a regulator, what is important, and where would you suggest looking?
I love the milwaukee all in one. Solenoid, bubble counter and regulator.



Don

 

[reedman]

Thanks Don. That's a huge help!

I just want to go into this with as much info as possible. When the thread is done We should have a buyers guide to calcium reactors for all to use.

 

[clownnrnd]

Reedman,
I'm using a aqualifter micro pump to feed water to my reactor. I did'nt want to take a chance of loosing the siphon when using gravity feed technique. Korallin says you can gravity feed but recommends using a small pump.
On my Korallin I am only dripping 40 drips per minute on 50 gal. of water so I am not sure but I don't think the low PH of the effluent would have much impact on the total PH of the system.
I used to use a dual nano reactor and the second chamber would only raise the PH by around .3-.5 PH. So if the effluent coming out of the first chamber was 6.6 the second chamber would raise that to 6.9-7.1PH.
If you have time to hunt for deals check pawn shops or garage sales for regulators and co2 tanks. If you do this I would recommend taking them to a welding supply store to check them and make sure they are in good working order. They can be revalved and rebuilt. i got mine for $50 w/ a 20# co2 tank then I just needed to add a needle valve. Alot of the reactors will come w/ a bubble counter.As for a solenoid valve I hav'nt ever used one but what they do is shut off the supply of co2 if the power supply is interupted (power outage).
Take Care

 

[RGibson]

Using a top recirculation calcium reactor prevents pooling of co2 and the need to used a second chamber.It allso will help with low ph at night. The co2 will allso last longer with top recirculation.

 

[RGibson]

To change over a calcium reactor not built with a top down design can be none at very little cost.

 

[wanareef]

Reed

Here's some reading

http://www.petsforum.com/personal/trevor-jones/tuningcaco3reactor.html

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-05/sh/images/simons1.gif

http://www.customaquatic.com/customaquatic/itemdetail.asp?itemid=CO-MKMA957US

I'll try and find the article on using a "flow meter"

On that CO2 tank, it'll be cheaper to "rent" one than buy one and have to wait for them to fill it. (which is usually not on the spot) When your tank is empty, you take it in and exchange for a full one and your done.

 

[Jeff]

I am also thinking about building a reactor vs. buying. Are reactors that feed themselves via a vinturi as consistent as reactors that are feed by a pump? For those that have built reactors do you buy a venturi or build your own?
Jeff

 

[reiple]

what about nielsen reactors? sulfur bed reactors? besides CO2 reactors....

any links or ideas?

 

[wanareef]

Reed

This link, http://advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/short.htm is an interesting read.

 

[mojoreef]

Hey Reed why dont we make one??? If you want we can get together and make one. We could post all the pics of the process of putting it together and post the up for folks to follow?? If your into the DIY routine, I will give you a hand.


MIke

 

[reedman]

Sounds like a possibility. I just don't trust my own skills enough to do it all on my own and believe it won't leak like a seive. I just don't have the right tools to make the clean cuts that you need for a good seam.

Mike, why don't we talk this weekend at the PNWMAC? You are going right? I'll bring your filter socks if you go

Thanks all! This is turning out to be a very informative thread. I am researching prices on all the pieces. I'd be happy to share my findings with those who want them, but if the best price isn't a sponsor, I will only reveal this via PM or e-mail (in respect of our sponsors).

Charles,
I got your e-mails & I'll take a closer look tonight. Thanks again! I'll talk to you soon.

 

[big t]

Jeff, I made my own venturi, and it has a couple hoses attatched to it. 1 for the co2 recirculation/ co2 input, and the other is for water input from the tank. I found that it was not quite enough to draw water from my sump and push water thru the unit, so I ran a hose up to my main tank overflow and gravity feed it from there. It will self start if it is turned off for maintenance, and my drip has been very constant. It has been running like this for the whole time I have had my new tank (4mo.) and for about 6 months on my old tank. I would consider it to be very reliable.

Reed, and Mike, if you need any help on making a reactor just let me know.

 

[Jeff]

Thanks for the info Tom. I may try this yet.

 

[DonW]

I agree with Tom a properly designed self feeding unit is easiest. Mine has run 6 months without needing adjustment.