My DIY CO2 Reactor

mcd19 · 05-08-2008, 03:55 AM

Well I finally built my very first CO2 reactor after having used a diffuser for the last year or so. I have to say that I was impressed when I hooked it up and it actually worked. It would be wrong if I did not thank Tom Barr and Rex Grigg for all their great information that I found posted on numerous web sites. I basically just combined the elements I liked from each of their reactors and made my own version. This is what I did.

First I gathered all the parts including:

1- 2" reducing T with a 1/2" threaded side port
1- 2" Coupling slip
1- 2" Plug
1- 2" Reducer Bushing with a 1/2" threaded port
1- 12" Clear PVC pipe
2- 12" long 3/16" tubing
2- 1/2" hose barbs

This is what all the parts look like laid out waiting to be assembled:

[/IMG]

The first thing I did was drill two 3/16" holes in the top of the reducer bushing like so:

[/IMG]

Then I inserted a 12" long 3/16" tube in one hole for the CO2 line to attach to and a 3" long tube that I will later attach an extra piece of CO2 tubing to with a valve so that I can release any built up gas at the top of the reactor:

[/IMG]

After assembling all the pieces, this is what the finished product looks like. In this picture you can see the extra piece of CO2 tubing I attached to the 3" interior tube. It has a drip irrigation valve attached to the top which I will use to release any back pressure that builds up. Luckily the reactor has worked pretty efficiently and most of the CO2 injected is being dissolved. I have not had to release any trapped gas as of yet. :

[/IMG]

This is the reactor attached to my filter and CO2 System. Using clear PVC pipe allows you to use the 3/16" tube as a bubble counter so you know exactly how much CO2 is entering the reactor:

[/IMG]

Well thats my reactor. Hope it helps anyone trying to build their own. Good Luck.

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**fshfanatic** · 05-08-2008, 04:04 AM

did you forget the picture?

mcd19 · 05-08-2008, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fshfanatic

did you forget the picture?

Sorry I was working on thread and posted it by mistake before I was finished.
Here it is.

ikuzo · 05-08-2008, 07:09 AM

well there's that edit button

**lescarpentier** · 05-08-2008, 05:52 PM

Is that clear pvc schedule 40?

mcd19 · 05-08-2008, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lescarpentier

Is that clear pvc schedule 40?

Yes it is. It fits regular PVC fittings and you can use regular cement and primer.

**lescarpentier** · 05-08-2008, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcd19

Yes it is. It fits regular PVC fittings and you can use regular cement and primer.

That's great! Now where can I find some?

Btw,that is a nice looking reactor that you built.Very clean...

honor · 05-08-2008, 10:15 PM

looks dope. worth the extra cost for the clear pvc imo.

honor · 05-08-2008, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lescarpentier

That's great! Now where can I find some?

Btw,that is a nice looking reactor that you built.Very clean...

http://www.aquaticeco.com/subcategor...Clear-PVC-Pipe

mcd19 · 05-08-2008, 10:18 PM

I bought mine from here:http://www.aquaticeco.com/subcategor...Clear-PVC-Pipe This company sells the clear PVC by the foot and its hard to find a place that will sell it buy the foot. Most companies want you to purchase numerous feet of the stuff. This is also a great company to buy aquarium related supplies in general.

**lescarpentier** · 05-08-2008, 10:26 PM

Thanks a lot,guys!
Bookmarked.

05-08-2008, 03:55 AM	#1 (permalink)
mcd19 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: New York Posts: 124	My DIY CO2 Reactor Well I finally built my very first CO2 reactor after having used a diffuser for the last year or so. I have to say that I was impressed when I hooked it up and it actually worked. It would be wrong if I did not thank Tom Barr and Rex Grigg for all their great information that I found posted on numerous web sites. I basically just combined the elements I liked from each of their reactors and made my own version. This is what I did. First I gathered all the parts including: 1- 2" reducing T with a 1/2" threaded side port 1- 2" Coupling slip 1- 2" Plug 1- 2" Reducer Bushing with a 1/2" threaded port 1- 12" Clear PVC pipe 2- 12" long 3/16" tubing 2- 1/2" hose barbs This is what all the parts look like laid out waiting to be assembled: [/IMG] The first thing I did was drill two 3/16" holes in the top of the reducer bushing like so: [/IMG] Then I inserted a 12" long 3/16" tube in one hole for the CO2 line to attach to and a 3" long tube that I will later attach an extra piece of CO2 tubing to with a valve so that I can release any built up gas at the top of the reactor: [/IMG] After assembling all the pieces, this is what the finished product looks like. In this picture you can see the extra piece of CO2 tubing I attached to the 3" interior tube. It has a drip irrigation valve attached to the top which I will use to release any back pressure that builds up. Luckily the reactor has worked pretty efficiently and most of the CO2 injected is being dissolved. I have not had to release any trapped gas as of yet. : [/IMG] This is the reactor attached to my filter and CO2 System. Using clear PVC pipe allows you to use the 3/16" tube as a bubble counter so you know exactly how much CO2 is entering the reactor: [/IMG] Well thats my reactor. Hope it helps anyone trying to build their own. Good Luck. Last edited by mcd19 : 05-08-2008 at 07:59 AM.

05-08-2008, 04:04 AM	#2 (permalink)
fshfanatic Support our Troops (View User Tanks) PTrader: (17) Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Tempe, Arizona Posts: 3,661	did you forget the picture? __________________ Ehfipimp #273 Eheim Pro II 2026, Classic 2260, Classic 2217, Classic 2213, ECCO 2232, Fluval FX5 Sign up for a no-fee Paypal alternative No bank Account needed Click here I get $10 and you get $25 - All referrals I get will go toward Care Packages for the troops.

05-08-2008, 07:09 AM	#4 (permalink)
ikuzo Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Indonesia Posts: 1,299	well there's that edit button __________________ Certainly take the advice of others but always, always be yourself - Eric Cantona My Tanks : 100 40 20 16 10 3 1

05-08-2008, 05:52 PM	#5 (permalink)
lescarpentier The green team (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Tacoma Wa. Posts: 307	Is that clear pvc schedule 40? __________________ EHFIPIMP #275

05-08-2008, 10:18 PM	#10 (permalink)
mcd19 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: New York Posts: 124	I bought mine from here:http://www.aquaticeco.com/subcategor...Clear-PVC-Pipe This company sells the clear PVC by the foot and its hard to find a place that will sell it buy the foot. Most companies want you to purchase numerous feet of the stuff. This is also a great company to buy aquarium related supplies in general. __________________ My DIY CO2 Reactor

05-08-2008, 10:15 PM	#8 (permalink)
honor Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1) Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Los Angeles California Posts: 200	looks dope. worth the extra cost for the clear pvc imo.

05-08-2008, 10:26 PM	#11 (permalink)
lescarpentier The green team (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Tacoma Wa. Posts: 307	Thanks a lot,guys! Bookmarked. __________________ EHFIPIMP #275

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