DIY Inline CO2 Reactor Question

Guns286 · 10-26-2009, 04:18 PM

I'm looking for plans to build a DIY inline CO2 reactor. I've searched alot of sites and found plans, but they are all old (2004 - 2008). I was hoping that someone could suggest a plan that is alittle more up to date and has been tested. I have a 75g tank and am trying to have as little equipment as possible inside the actual tank. I have a Fluval 405 canister filter and will be creating 2 20" spray bars (clear acrylic pipe) to attach to the end of the filter return. I wanted to add the reactor and my Hydor 300w inline heater to the retun line as well. Thanks.

**Jeff5614** · 10-26-2009, 10:39 PM

Here's a pic of one I made for a fellow TPT member a while back. It's pretty much the same one I use with a fluval 404 on my 75. It's made of 2 inch PVC with 2 inch slip T fittings on each end. The top T is capped with a 1/2 inch threaded bushing and has a 1/8 inch barbed fitting for the CO2 line. The bottom T just has a plug in the bottom with the same 1/2 inch threaded bushing as above. The hose barbs were 1/2 inch for his 2217. Your 405 has 5/8 inch tubing. You can find 5/8 inch barbs but not as easily as 3/4 inch which is what I used on mine to connect to the Fluval. I probably didn't explain it too well but, if you're like me, a picture is worth a thousand words and after looking at a few pics of reactors it was easy to build one. If you're going to add a reactor to your filter you might want to keep in mind you will have a considerable reduction in flow. It may be necessary to add a powerhead or another filter to your tank to compensate.

Guns286 · 10-27-2009, 12:10 AM

Believe me, the picture helps alot. I read about people putting everything from bio-balls to nylon mesh inside the pipe to help with turbulance. Is there anything in yours? Also, am I right in assuming that the water from the filter enters at the top of the pipe, where it mixes with the CO2 comming in from the right, and then exits at the bottom?
As far as the flow reduction, I may have to hook up a powerhead anyway cause I planed on splitting my filter return line and running them to 2 20" acrylic spray bars at either end of the tank.

**Jeff5614** · 10-27-2009, 12:13 AM

I don't put anything in them. It's not necessary IMO. Yes, water enters at the top.

Guns286 · 10-27-2009, 12:27 AM

Sorry, I have another stupid question. Why, if the return line from my filter is 5/8", is the reactor pipe 2"? Is that how the water mixes with the CO2, by rolling around in the larger diameter pipe?

**Jeff5614** · 10-27-2009, 12:41 AM

The flow of water through the larger diameter pipe is much slower so it has time for the CO2 to dissolve.

Guns286 · 10-27-2009, 12:59 AM

Got it. Thanks for the info.

10-26-2009, 04:18 PM	#1 (permalink)
Guns286 Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4/100%) Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Eastchester, N.Y. Posts: 153	DIY Inline CO2 Reactor Question I'm looking for plans to build a DIY inline CO2 reactor. I've searched alot of sites and found plans, but they are all old (2004 - 2008). I was hoping that someone could suggest a plan that is alittle more up to date and has been tested. I have a 75g tank and am trying to have as little equipment as possible inside the actual tank. I have a Fluval 405 canister filter and will be creating 2 20" spray bars (clear acrylic pipe) to attach to the end of the filter return. I wanted to add the reactor and my Hydor 300w inline heater to the retun line as well. Thanks.

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10-26-2009, 10:39 PM	#2 (permalink)
Jeff5614 Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (13/100%) Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: TN Posts: 622	Here's a pic of one I made for a fellow TPT member a while back. It's pretty much the same one I use with a fluval 404 on my 75. It's made of 2 inch PVC with 2 inch slip T fittings on each end. The top T is capped with a 1/2 inch threaded bushing and has a 1/8 inch barbed fitting for the CO2 line. The bottom T just has a plug in the bottom with the same 1/2 inch threaded bushing as above. The hose barbs were 1/2 inch for his 2217. Your 405 has 5/8 inch tubing. You can find 5/8 inch barbs but not as easily as 3/4 inch which is what I used on mine to connect to the Fluval. I probably didn't explain it too well but, if you're like me, a picture is worth a thousand words and after looking at a few pics of reactors it was easy to build one. If you're going to add a reactor to your filter you might want to keep in mind you will have a considerable reduction in flow. It may be necessary to add a powerhead or another filter to your tank to compensate.

10-27-2009, 12:10 AM	#3 (permalink)
Guns286 Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4/100%) Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Eastchester, N.Y. Posts: 153	Believe me, the picture helps alot. I read about people putting everything from bio-balls to nylon mesh inside the pipe to help with turbulance. Is there anything in yours? Also, am I right in assuming that the water from the filter enters at the top of the pipe, where it mixes with the CO2 comming in from the right, and then exits at the bottom? As far as the flow reduction, I may have to hook up a powerhead anyway cause I planed on splitting my filter return line and running them to 2 20" acrylic spray bars at either end of the tank.

10-27-2009, 12:13 AM	#4 (permalink)
Jeff5614 Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (13/100%) Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: TN Posts: 622	I don't put anything in them. It's not necessary IMO. Yes, water enters at the top.

10-27-2009, 12:27 AM	#5 (permalink)
Guns286 Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4/100%) Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Eastchester, N.Y. Posts: 153	Sorry, I have another stupid question. Why, if the return line from my filter is 5/8", is the reactor pipe 2"? Is that how the water mixes with the CO2, by rolling around in the larger diameter pipe?

10-27-2009, 12:41 AM	#6 (permalink)
Jeff5614 Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (13/100%) Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: TN Posts: 622	The flow of water through the larger diameter pipe is much slower so it has time for the CO2 to dissolve.

10-27-2009, 12:59 AM	#7 (permalink)
Guns286 Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4/100%) Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Eastchester, N.Y. Posts: 153	Got it. Thanks for the info.

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