CA Reactor Question

[alexwolf]

Is there something wrong with getting "too large" of a reactor? The one I am considering has a 1000 gallon capacity.

[RobertG]

Bigger the better I would say.... How many lbs of media will it hold? I dont think it matters.

[alexwolf]

it will hold a lot. Its an 8" wide tube 12" tall.

[alexwolf]

why?

[alexwolf]

Would you prefer dual 6" chambers vs. 1 8" chamber?

[RobertG]

Would you prefer dual 6" chambers vs. 1 8" chamber?

Yes YES Yes

[alexwolf]

I can do that, thanks! What about 4 1/2" chambers like MyReefCreations.com

[captexas]

I'm not sure where that 1000gallon rating comes from, I find it hard to believe a reactor that size would adequately support a tank that size. I have a reactor that Matt built me and it fits those dimensions, maybe only 6in. diameter, but still. I guess it depends on how the reactor operates. What brand are you looking at Alex?

[matt]

8" tube 12" high is not that big; maybe holds 16 lbs of media. Who says this is good for 1000 gallons? Sometimes I can't believe what these guys will say...they just pull a number out of the air. Any tests to show that this reactor can replenish a 1000 gallon reef system heavily stocked? If so, I apologize, but really unless this is a very a unusual situation, don't believe the manufacturer's "rating".

Anyhow, all other things equal, it's probably better to get a second chamber for ph, but not if it's at the expense of the size of the primary chamber. Besides, there are lots of other issues that affect a reactor's performance, like internal circulation, general design, etc. Go take a look at Gator's reactor, or the one I made for Felipe, and then you'll have some idea of what I think a reactor should be like. I even made a second chamber for Gator, so you could ask him if it's making his set up work better.

[Tim Marvin]

Cap is right, most of them you can dial down. If you get one that is way too big though you will have a hard time adjusting it for your tank from what I understand. I use Oceanic salt and Kalk and have not seen a need for a reactor yet.... Did you fill your tank with reef builders and clams since I was there last? That is a lot of money to spend if you don't really need it.

[alexwolf]

no no, 8" diameter 24" tall. Sorry for the typo!

[alexwolf]

Also, just getting opinions to try and understand the workings of a reactor. I think im going to try my hand a building one.

[RobertG]

I say yes get the most cantact with the media. Two 6" chambers would be a hell of a unit. IMO. I cant speak for a 6" as I only have a 4"Reactor tube. I did add another 4"X28"tall effluent chamber. Since then my calcium has been very easily mantained. The 4" by itself did not seem to keep up.

[alexwolf]

prob 2 " diameter chambers 12" tall each.

[RobertG]

prob 2 " diameter chambers 12" tall each.

What are you smoking? We are going for a bigger tube not smaller...LOL Or is that another typo?

[StephenA]

Go with dual chambers for a better pH output

[alexwolf]

LOL ****** 2 6" diameter

[RobertG]

Ok, your buzz is wearing offf...... That should be cool. Where are you going to get the tube & how much $$$ ???

[alexwolf]

already have it

[RobertG]

Sweet, where did you get it?? I am wanting to give it a whirl, but that stuff ain't cheap!!!

[alexwolf]

sssshhhhh its a secret!!!!! lol It was very expensive. I will post pics when I am done. I am using 1/4 cast tubing, 3/8 cast for the base.

[alexwolf]

8" was 50 a foot!!!!!

[RobertG]

What is the minimum length you can get it in. That was my problem. Not that bad if you dont have to consider the waste or unused product....you can say.. Not really waste.

[alexwolf]

I bought 5' of it

[matt]

no no, 8" diameter 24" tall. Sorry for the typo!

Okay, that's pretty big. BTW, 6" tube has a little more than 1/2 the capacity per inch than 8" tube. So, 2 pieces of 24" 6" diameter will only be slightly more volume than 1 24" piece of 8" tube. This is assuming you're using 1/4" wall tube, which means your actual volume is based on 5.5" diameter and 7.5" for the 8". Making your own is a great idea; you can do it.

[matt]

Have fun cutting the tube, though!

[RobertG]

12" Miter saw should do the trickkk...

[alexwolf]

better get a VERY good blade, or else your tube wont be worth crap.

[matt]

Yep, that's a good one. The hardest thing is to cut long pieces that have no clean end. If Alex bought the tube where I think he did, it will come with unfinished ends that still have the casting marks. The first cut in a five foot tube is the PITA; after that you have one good end to rest against the stop. Before I left town, I was working on a more elaborate jug that would hold the tube absolutely in place while rotating it. Oh well, another unfinished project...

[alexwolf]

nah no secrecy, i got it from Plastic Supply. it was some scrap that they had laying around. I wish they had some more, but it was all they had left. 8 weeks to get more!!!!! Now if I could find a cheap place to get 3/8 cast sheet :)

[alexwolf]

lol wasnt SCRAP.....I should have said in stock pieces!!!!

[matt]

Are you SURE it's cast? And is it 1/4" thick? I say that because at one time I tried to get cast tube from plastic supply, and the price was something like $55/ft for 6" tube. They had both 1/8" wall cast and 1/4" wall extruded in stock, both for around $25-30/ft.

Anyhow, 3/8" cast is not hard to find. You may have to buy a sheet of clear Cyro GP from regal, but they'll have it for about $160. Want some free advice? DON'T USE THE CHEAP ASIAN CAST ACRYLIC. There, how's that for a tip? :-D

[alexwolf]

i was talking about the black for the box.......regal wants $180 plus $35 shipping and $8 delivery

[matt]

Use clear, or you might consider cyro FF, which is decent extruded. The black cast that I use is Spartech polycast, the best stuff around. Best price I could find on it was $250/sheet, and that was buying a few sheets. Clear cyro GP is the easiest to get good stuff. There's nothing wrong with using clear; in fact I used it on a few projects and I like the way it looks.