Cerges' Reactor - DIY Inline CO2 Reactor

[Eviltwist]

Originally Posted by hidefguy

Sorry but I don't know the exact sizes but, this is what I bought at Home Depot not sure of the second piece but its similar. You fit these two together then they go into the Tee. I just pieced everything in the store to make sure everything fit. good luck.

First part is : Watts / Brass Hose Barb Adapter/ 1/8 in ID x 1/4 in NIP / Number on the package is LFA-85

2nd part is : Watts / Brass Pipe Bushing / 1/2 in MIP x 1/4 in FIP / Number on the package is LFA-827

Both parts can be found at brass fittings section.

And once again thank you hidefguy for pointing me in the right direction.

[MichaelMcG]

in pretty much all of peoples pictures the tee for the co2 is pointing down.. so the "T" is upside down. is there any reason why people don't spin the tee the other way so the co2 just flows up into the tee?

also some people have been saying they have a gurgling sound? i have more of a swishing or a spitting/spraying sound like once every 5-10 seconds. can anybody think of a reason for this? the reactor has been running for a few days now so i know its not a big air pocket. it only makes the sound when the co2 is on but it starts right away not after any co2 build up.

[hidefguy]

Originally Posted by Eviltwist

First part is : Watts / Brass Hose Barb Adapter/ 1/8 in ID x 1/4 in NIP / Number on the package is LFA-85

2nd part is : Watts / Brass Pipe Bushing / 1/2 in MIP x 1/4 in FIP / Number on the package is LFA-827

Both parts can be found at brass fittings section.

And once again thank you hidefguy for pointing me in the right direction.

No problem, glad I could help. Btw nice setup, I prob will get a clear housing someday I didn't have the patience to wait tho.

[NWA-Planted]

I can't remember if this was asked, or for that matter if I asked it! However I have a standard size housing, 14" or so total height, if I turn up my co2 I get tons of bubbles in the tank, to pick up a 20" housing is fairly costly.. If I picked up another standard housing and ran them in line with co2 going into the first one, do you think this would eliminate my bubbles (my outflow is probably around 900 gph)

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[inkslinger]

Paid $69. for 1" Port.

http://h2odistributors.com/20-big-bl...r-housings.asp

[m00se]

Originally Posted by NWA-Planted

I can't remember if this was asked, or for that matter if I asked it! However I have a standard size housing, 14" or so total height, if I turn up my co2 I get tons of bubbles in the tank, to pick up a 20" housing is fairly costly.. If I picked up another standard housing and ran them in line with co2 going into the first one, do you think this would eliminate my bubbles (my outflow is probably around 900 gph)

Just guessing here but I suppose anything that would lengthen the time of contact with the water would help dissolve additional CO2. There are people who use the Cerges and add a ring of coarse sponge or filter material around the center pipe to help keep the bubbles above the bottom and being sucked up before they've dissolved. You might want to try that first, but honestly, 900 gph (FX5?) is a lot of flow. I have an FX5 too and I opted to use a separate pump/loop for the CO2 for that very reason. I don't know what would tame that. Maybe nothing.

[audioaficionado]

For high flow filtration loops you could make another loop for the Cerge's reactor and wye it off from the main loop on both ends. Use a ball valve on the main line just above the Cerges' input wye split off to adjust the flow rate balance between the 2 loops so you don't get bubble blow by and full CO2 dissolution.

[chad320]

I found this while piecing mine together. A piece of 3/4" PVC fits the hole in this perfectly and I just superglued it into place. Inside the slits in the side of the filter is fine screening. I hoping to push about 900 GPH through it with a Supreme Mag Dive pump. It will still be about a week before I actually get it hooked up.

[In.a.Box]

whats the point using the water unit? i dont see how bubble can break down while going through that big thing. doesn't look like there anything that will chop the bubble up.

[Mobert]

For those looking for a 20" clear housing with 1" brass outlets, I just got one on ebay for under $26. Search Stagon 20" filter housing.

[audioaficionado]

Originally Posted by Mobert

For those looking for a 20" clear housing with 1" brass outlets, I just got one on ebay for under $26. Search Stagon 20" filter housing.

Can't wait to see how you put it together.

[fattboa]

Hello
Tried doing this but being in Kuwait some parts are pretty hard/impossible to find.
I built it using stainless steel fittings/parts. Only found PVC and not CPVC for the tube inside the filter. GOing to try PVC glue to attach it inside the filter.
Will these minor modifications be ok? Perhaps the stainless fittings will not be air tight?
Also another question, can I use yeast to deliver CO2? Just attach the line to the input at the T? Or should I use another bottle? Tried finding a check valve but no luck

[elwray]

Originally Posted by fattboa

Hello
Tried doing this but being in Kuwait some parts are pretty hard/impossible to find.
I built it using stainless steel fittings/parts. Only found PVC and not CPVC for the tube inside the filter. GOing to try PVC glue to attach it inside the filter.
Will these minor modifications be ok? Perhaps the stainless fittings will not be air tight?
Also another question, can I use yeast to deliver CO2? Just attach the line to the input at the T? Or should I use another bottle? Tried finding a check valve but no luck

Unfortunately, PVC cement is going to get you nowhere in that situation. It depends on creating a chemical reaction between the parts, and won't work with the housing - I tried it myself.

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[fattboa]

Originally Posted by elwray

Unfortunately, PVC cement is going to get you nowhere in that situation. It depends on creating a chemical reaction between the parts, and won't work with the housing - I tried it myself.

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Apologies. It seems that I bought CPVC cement and a CPVC adapter (to stick the PVC pipe into - they did not have the correct size pipe to attach to inside the filter without the adapter) but the pipe itself is PVC. Any issues with using CPVC cement to glue PVC to CPVC? The PVC fits quite snugly into the CPVC adapter so it is not necessary but just to make sure.
Sorry if these questions are stupid but I am not much of a DIY person.
Is it extremely frustrating trying to do a planted tank over here. I've spent almost a week just searching for the parts and still have a lot left
Thank you for replying
EDIT: I am not sure I read about anyone using this diffuser with DIY yeast as a co2 source. is it even possible?
2nd EDIT: found answer. Seems it is ok with some and some say forget it. Only one way to find out...

[moogleii]

Newbie here, just stumbled upon this thread a couple days ago and have been reading like crazy. I broke my Rexx/Barr reactor during transit so I decided to give this one a whirl (snapped the CO2 piping going into the reactor). I definitely like how modular/bolt-on this design is, so I should be able to avoid/repair such damage in the future).

Any reason why the internal up pipe can't just be clear hosing? I think someone did do that (maybe post #5 or so), but that was the last mention of that variant (no comments for or against). I checked my local hardware stores and none of the filter brands that they sell have lids that mate well with a 3/4" cpvc coupling or 1" pvc pipe (GE and Whirlpool ones for those that are wondering).

I know I can just melt PVC per moose's suggestion, or use glue, but I'd like to just keep it bolt-on simple if I can. I suppose if it came down to it, I could order the same filter that the OP bought off the internet, but I'm impatient