Calcium Reactor

[speedymichael]

I need some help setting up my calcium reactor. I bought this off of someone else and did not get to see it set-up. I have one overall picture and then tied string on each input/output so maybe someone could help. Thanks!!

 

[james734]

Does the original seller by chance have a picture of when it was setup?

 

[speedymichael]

unfortunately, I cannot get a hold of him. He moved away I think.

 

[nomercymike]

It is one of those super secret reactors from Spain.

 

[ROWAUSA]

looking at the pictures, I would say the pipe on the left is the pump inlet. it looks to have to JQ fittings. One would be water supply and the other is CO2. The pipe on the right is the the pump outlet that returns CO2 rich water to the reactor. The line on the top is the product water from the reactor.

 

[speedymichael]

Thanks ROWAUSA. If anyone has any additional input, I could certainly use the help. Thanks (other then it is a secret reactor from Spain!)

 

[trido]

Try to give Rob at Red Sea Aquariums a PM. I believe he is familiar with that style of reactor since hes built a few of them.

 

[sgwill122]

Your reactor looks very similar to a DIY reactor that I saw on Melevreef.com, check out the link below and see if it helps.

http://www.melevsreef.com/dj88.html

 

[speedymichael]

Thanks guys. Sgwill122, it does look alot like the one I have. It just doesn't have the thing in front that looks like a bubble counter.

 

[kgross]

Yup that is Dj's style of reactor. The pump intake is on the left output on the right. One of the lines on the left is for the CO2 recirc loop from the top of the reactor. The other is the water into the reactor. The connector on the side of the reactor above the pump input line is the reactor output line The little box on the side/front that is empty is the bubble counter and the CO2 inlet line goes into the bottom of it.

Kim

 

[speedymichael]

Thanks Kim. That is alot of help. the only thing that I am confused on is the, "water into the reactor" line. Are you refering to RODI water? I am kind of a new reefer. Where does the line go out of the bubble counter? Do I fill the bubble counter with water? Sorry for all of the question, I am getting a little anxious

 

[kgross]

I may have been mistaken. I thought the line form the top of the bubble counter was connected to something. If it is not, what I would do is connect the line from the bubble counter with a T to the line from the top of the reactor to the fitting with the yellow string on it. The line with the red string on it would be the water in, which is not ro/di water, but water from ;your tank. You can use a powerhead in the sump or put a T on your return pump to feed tank water into the reactor. the other lines would be how I described in the first post.

Kim

 

[speedymichael]

Man.... I feel like I am not catching on The gray fitting at the bottom would be the intake right? Off of the gray intake there are two nipples coming of of that. The white one beside the gray one would be the output, right. I appreciate all of your help, I just want to make sure that it is hooked up right. Thanks!

I am almost there....

 

[bc_slc]

The posts above are correct. This is a DIY reactor similar to that designed by DJ88 on reefcentral. I have one very very similar.
In picture #1:
- the john guest fitting on the side of the reactor (purple tie) is the outlet where water (with disolved calcium) leaves the reactor. This is often called the "effluent" outlet
- The two larger PVC pipes on the bottom need to tie into a pump that circulates the water within the reactor. A pump similar to a mag3 would work fine. When you tie in this pump the inlet connects to the left and the outlet connects to the right. (i.e. the left side of the reactor pictured is where the outlet is, the right column is where the water gets circulated into the reactor.
- On the left PVC (blue tie) there is a fitting with two john guest fittings poking out the side (red tie and yellow tie). One of them connects to the top of the skimmer to recirculate the air that may collect there, the other is inflow from the tank.

Photo #2 shows a close up of the bubble counter.
- Co2 from a Co2 tank goes into the bottom (yellow tie) and then the top is the exit (green tie).
- Once the Co2 exits the bubble counter, it needs to join the tubing from the tank supplying water to the reactor. This is best accomplished with a "T".
- The bubble counter should be partially filled with RO water so you can see the bubbles.

Photo #3 is an overall photo


So overall you CO2 in from CO2 tank, through the bubble counter, then joining inflow from the tank with a john guest "T" and then join the reactor either at the red tie or yellow tie on the left side. The top of the reactor is connected to the other tie at this same location. Water circulates in the reactor, and then exits at the other john guest fitting on the left side of the reactor and tubing should go back to the tank.

Lastly, it is best to regulate the water flow into the tank by putting a gate valve or ball valve so you can slow down or open up the flow into the reactor.

If you are ever near downtown and want to see mine in action, let me know.

Hope that helps.
Mat

 

[speedymichael]

You guys ROCK!! I think I get it now Thanks everyone!!