MY DIY calc reactor

[muddskipper]

This was based on a thread in RC differs alittle in that i wasnt gonna read through 38 pages worth of stuff to figure out all his adjustments ect...
I used a smaller housing from lowes for 33 dollars.
3/4in elbows x2
3/4 slip to 1/2 slip x2
1/2 slip to 1/2 thread (female) x1
1/2 slip to 1/2 thread (male) x1
1/2 slip to 1/2 slip x1
1/2 pvc pipe to cut some 2inch pieces to connect the hosing to the elbows and pump..
1/4 by 1/4 john gussett valves x2
1/4 by 3/8 john gussett valve x1
5/16 hosing
1/4 hosing
1inch hosing i think it was........
inch pvc pipe for center tube
total cost was right about 40 dollars

hot glue gun from walmart and glue for 200 of these things 7 dollars

one calcium reator minus co2 ........PRICELESS.........

have already fitted this and wet tested to check if it would suck air and water and spit it out using a mag2 ...
Results were better than expected water out will fill a gallon jug in about 1.5 mins venturi action for pulling in air (co2) is incredible.
it took 3 hours to clear the chamber of air though..
Have to wait till thurs to hook up co2 to test it not picking the system up till wed..

i dont take credit for this as i based it on a thread in RC and this is designed to run a small system.. i plan on using this on a 29 but it might handle more.. have to wait and see..
.. ALL COMMENTS AND CONCERNS ARE WELCOMED AND INCOURAGED...........

 

[muddskipper]

next pic

 

[muddskipper]

another

 

[muddskipper]

last one till i get it glued together ..

 

[muddskipper]

And yes i know its nothing compared to liams but hey .. gotta work with what we can right .. i figure even if it saves a few bucks for someone then hey its worth it!!!

 

[Liam]

looks like an awesome DIY project for a small tank that can be made with a few simple tools.I look forward to hearing how it works when you get it running.I bet there are a ton of folks in the club with small tanks who will also be interested in this.Makes sure you post some pics once its running.
Congrats,nice job.

 

[muddskipper]

the parts are still rough .. nothings been cleaned up yet and its all been cut from a handsaw so bear with me while i clean it up and all..

 

[The Jester2]

Do you have a regulator and selanoid? If so wheere did you get them from. I can get a regulator but not sure where to get selanoid. I was planning on making the one from RC, like your plans as well. Which ever one I do I will be added it to my new 150 do you think yours is to small for that size tank.

 

[muddskipper]

I dont think I would use this on anything over a 55 simply because I think the amount of water you'll have to move through it to keep your chem right wont allow you to get the ph in the reactor low enough to dissolve anything without using ALOT of co2.. The one on RC using the larger 4.5in filter housing I would probably use up to a 100 gallons, might work on a 150. I really dont know though as I dont have enough experience with them.. As far as the solenoid and regulator go as of tonight I dont have them yet but will tomorrow (buying them off someone )

 

[muddskipper]

Heres acouple new pic with it together.........

 

[muddskipper]

another of it together right before wet testing it with media.. also added a cut filter polypad under the cap to keep media from recircing into the pump..

 

[this is me]

It looks very interesting.
Keep us updated.

 

[S Hunter]

thats slick... keep the info coming

 

[bonzai888]

Hahahaaaaaa!! Finally someone else is building one besides me!!!

MUDD- few problems you might encounter!
-your clear tubing will turn yellow
-in time your mag will leak
-your air dripper will not be constant over time.
-you should reverse the water output and the input
-Hope you put some silicone or your 90* pvc is screwed ALL the way in the canister IN & Outlet. You don't want that metal ring to rust!

This setup definitely will not keep up any tank larger than 40G but perfect for your 29g!
________________________________________________________________

I have been running mine for almost 4 months now. No problemo!!
PH controller
Dual chamber
Recirculation mod
Mine has so much enfluent, I have it on a 16 hrs timer.
Running on a 55g w/30 sump!

Enjoy!

 

[muddskipper]

thanks but already took alot of that into consideration..
MUDD- few problems you might encounter!

-your clear tubing will turn yellow-----cheap enough not concerned about color!
-in time your mag will leak--- took it apart and siliconed everything that could leak
-your air dripper will not be constant over time.---- this was only for testing, will be replaced with a gussett valve
-you should reverse the water output and the input--- was set up that way from the beginning
-Hope you put some silicone or your 90* pvc is screwed ALL the way in the canister IN & Outlet. You don't want that metal ring to rust!--:O didnt think of that ,,,grrrrrrrrr

thanks for the info appreciate it!!

 

[muddskipper]

right now i have to redo or rethink the input side of the mag where i screwed in the gusset valves, even after tapping them out and using pvc cement it wont seal tightly so gonna have to redo it and figure out how to better seal it.. REDESIGN ........more to come..