DIY Calcium Reactor Plans

[georgeortiz]

Does anyone have any good links for diy Calcium reactors? I have one in mind that snailman has posted on RC but, I am looking for some others to get ideas.

[georgeortiz]

I have been looking into various designs out there for Ca Reactors and now that I have somewhat of an idea on how they are supposed to work I have come up with this design.

The reactor will be between 24"-30" tall and use 4" od tubing.

Please feel free to give me any input. Matt or any other of the DIY guys from MAAST this means you guys too.

Here is my diagram:

[matt]

George, there are some problems with this design. You need to introduce the CO2 at the pump input, or better, into the tank water in line, which then goes directly into the pump input. You need to route the "tank in" so that water pressure from the reactor will not be pushing water back out that line; this usually means the line must travel from above the water level. If the power goes out, you'll drain your reactor, filled with carbonic acid, right out through that input line. You should also move the effluent out fitting off the pump line. Most people put it on the lid. I also would not attach the pump directly to the tube or any tubular surface; it's very difficult to get a good seal there, plus it's right down at the bottom which means there's a lot of water pressure on it. Ditch the rio pump, they're terrible for anything, and ESPECIALLY a reactor which is tough on any pump.

Not trying to be critical here, but you might want to rethink the whole set up. Also, unless you have a small tank, 4" tube is way too small IMO for a reactor. I guess if the tube is 24" tall or more it's okay, but circulation will be tough. Also, I'm not sure how you plan on attaching the tube to the PVC at the bottom, but that looks like a leak potential to me. Weldon #40 works well for attaching PVC fittings to acrylic, but this is different. Why not do a big acrylic bottom, then some "legs" to get it off the ground, then you can put your fittings in flat acrylic. It's certainly possible I'm misinterpreting your drawing though; if it's acrylic tube all the way to the bottom then you can disregard my last comment.

Sorry, man, again I'm not trying to be critical, but you probably should find a few reactors that really work and copy them. Just not mine!
:-D

[georgeortiz]

Matt,
Thanks for the input. I have been looking forward to your post on how a Ca Reactor should work and was hoping you would give me a good critique on my design ,which you did.

Thats why we have the forums so we can all share Ideas an learn from one another.

I have been looking at some designs and thought that I had come close to the design Sanjay had put together. Anyway, Let me digest the changes that you are suggesting and go back to the drawing board.

Any idea on when you are going to post your Ca Reactor information.

The weldon 40 is already in my construction plan and the pvc is being incorporated since this was going to afford me a way to creat a tight seal using a 4" cleanout fitting. Nice and neat unscrew for access. The base was pvc as well and was going to be a 4" od fiitting as well forgot the name but, is a pvc fitting with the knockout left in. Here is a pic of what I based my design on.

Here is a link to the website with the plans to this reactor:

http://personal.cfw.com/~sharnor/reef/diyfolder/CaReactor/CaReactor.html

[georgeortiz]

Alright,
I have taken your suggestions into consideration for the most part Matt. Here is a new diagram of what I think you meant. The only thing I have trouble with is how to get the bubble counter positioned so I can directly input it to the water supply right at the pump.

Isn't the bubble counter supposed to be postioned vertically so it works properly? The diagram shows the position I have placed the Bubble counter at. I have disconnects and check valves incorporated in the diagram as well. Let me know what you think Prof!

[matt]

Much better. Move the tank water in to the top of your pump input pipe. Ditch the check valves except for the CO2 one. Think about moving the effluent out so it's not at the very top of the lid, but on the lower part of the lid. Then put a bleed valve where your effluent out is.

Good luck, you're getting there. I still think you should go see some real reactors in person instead of just hitting the websites. PM, lifereef, korallin, etc...

[georgeortiz]

Thanks Matt for the input. I will check those Reactor models out.

[brewercm]

Ahhh, George is at it again. I wish I had the time to do some of the stuff you are playing around with also. Maybe in a year or so.
You need to start a thread of all your DIY stuff and call it This Old Tank.

[georgeortiz]

Thanks Brewercm!
School starts up in a week or so and I will have to settle back down again.
Anyway just trying to do as much with what I can and not break the bank. If you know what I mean.
That is the great part about the Hobby as long as you learn how it is supposed to work then you can pretty much build any of the stuff you need and still have a nice system.

[RobertG]

George here is a pic of my reactor. It is PM CR 422.

HTH

[georgeortiz]

Thanks for the pics robert. I have got some good Ideas on how to put one together taking Matts suggestions into consideration.

[scuba_steveo]

while your at it make me one too
:)

[georgeortiz]

Let me make sure mine works first and I'll post what I used and How I made it?