Cerges' Reactor - DIY Inline CO2 Reactor

**sketch804** · 06-23-2012, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeusExCalibur

Welp, finally got things figured out. 3/4" PVC coupling DOES indeed fit inside the filter, but only if it's the slip-threaded type connector. Go figure.

Anyways, everything's put together and the PVC cement + primer has been dried for at least 10 hours now, way past it's proper curing time. I know it should be safe to run at this point, but should I be concerned that I can still smell the cement?

Even after 2-3 days mine smelled like cement, but I washed it out, went ahead and connected it and haven't had any problems since, and that was like 2+ months ago I think..

aquatic serenity · 06-24-2012, 09:43 AM

with my 20" reactor I am also noticing an added benefit: less CO2 consumed because it is so completely dissolved in the 20" chamber..
I need less bps than with my 10" canister...
anyone else notice this ??

inkslinger · 06-24-2012, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aquatic serenity

with my 20" reactor I am also noticing an added benefit: less CO2 consumed because it is so completely dissolved in the 20" chamber..
I need less bps than with my 10" canister...
anyone else notice this ??

I haven't got my up and running yet , How big is your pump?

chuckz07 · 06-25-2012, 03:44 AM

First off, sorry for the cruddy cell phone pics...

Ok, I decided to show my setup thanks to this thread. I've been running it for awhile now and I like it. I built many RG style reactors and wasn't happy. To be honest, I built this quite a while back and then chunked it in the corner to try something different along the RG style. Came back to this a few months ago though. Anyway, it is being pushed via a Fluval 405 and the dual scrubbies sure helped with the bubbles. The other day I bought the stand so I'll be adding some valves and such to make cleaning easier.

Now here is something interesting I found at HD in the irrigation dept. For the cost I decided WTH and tried it. The inlet port swivels. I was leary of it leaking but it has been running for a couple months with not issues. It doesn't leak in or out. Kinda makes things a little less bulky.

Here is the fitting:

http://www.lowes.com/pd_234223-1029-...sales_dollar|1

gh0zt · 06-30-2012, 11:40 PM

Just finished mine and I had a question, can anyone tell me why my reactor is not filling all the way up? I can turn my canister filter off, have the reactor fill all the way up, but as soon as I start my filter again the reactor empties to this same spot. Any help is appreciated.

m00se · 07-01-2012, 03:43 AM

You have an air leak in the intake line somewhere before the reactor - are you using sponges or anything in the reactor that would make the canister pull harder than it normally would? That's classic right there....clogged prefilter or other cause of leaning out the pump somehow.

gh0zt · 07-01-2012, 09:02 AM

I stepped out for 6 hrs and came home to a completly full reactor. Not exactly sure how that happened, but I assume outflow was faster than a 20" reactor housing can fill up so it filled little by little.

inkslinger · 07-02-2012, 04:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gh0zt

I stepped out for 6 hrs and came home to a completly full reactor. Not exactly sure how that happened, but I assume outflow was faster than a 20" reactor housing can fill up so it filled little by little.

Trap Air , The housing with a Bleed Valve or button would had been faster to bleed the trap air out.

**sketch804** · 07-02-2012, 05:26 AM

For mine, I just finally got rid of the minimal bubbles I had by just putting a small sponge filter from an overflow box (very airy). Now my water is as clear as could be and still have decent flow and good CO2 distribution. I use a Fluval 305 also for flow rating purposes.

gh0zt · 07-02-2012, 03:07 PM

I'm noticing that my reactor behaves normally when the co2 is off. Put a drop checker into my tank over night and its bright yellow even with no co2. I think my problem is way too much co2 getting pushed into the reactor.

**audioaficionado** · 07-02-2012, 05:41 PM

I was able to keep it bright yellow even on yeastie-beastie style CO2. I'm almost out of CO2 on my 20# tank. It will last another few weeks even at 300psi LOL. This tank has lasted since last summer. There is just not the wastage you get with bubble diffusers.

jcgd · 07-02-2012, 07:05 PM

Has anyone tried a phosban reactor? I may lik one up today and try it instead of the whole house filter housing. Same general design, it just made to house Purigen and the like. I found one for $50, 4.5" by 15".

inkslinger · 07-03-2012, 04:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcgd

Has anyone tried a phosban reactor? I may lik one up today and try it instead of the whole house filter housing. Same general design, it just made to house Purigen and the like. I found one for $50, 4.5" by 15".

Had a LFS use them on a 125g display tank with a 20lb co2 tank. IMO: I think it would work better on 55g tanks and below .

**Trickerie** · 07-06-2012, 07:44 PM

Heres my reactor. How long can I expect the air bubbles being sprayed out? Im guessing its normal until all of the trapped air is released.

**sketch804** · 07-06-2012, 08:11 PM

day or two and you should be fine.

07-02-2012, 05:26 AM	#429
sketch804 Always Learning (View User Tanks) PTrader: (38/100%) Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Richmond, Virginia Posts: 1,190	For mine, I just finally got rid of the minimal bubbles I had by just putting a small sponge filter from an overflow box (very airy). Now my water is as clear as could be and still have decent flow and good CO2 distribution. I use a Fluval 305 also for flow rating purposes. __________________ -=:Sketch804:=- ::My 40gal breeder journal:: ::Local Va Forum (AFU):: ::10 gal river tank:: Do you grow Hygro Lancea (please post)? Fluval pimp #31

07-02-2012, 05:41 PM	#431
audioaficionado Planted Tank Overclocker (View User Tanks) PTrader: (9/100%) Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Medford, Orygun Posts: 2,177	I was able to keep it bright yellow even on yeastie-beastie style CO2. I'm almost out of CO2 on my 20# tank. It will last another few weeks even at 300psi LOL. This tank has lasted since last summer. There is just not the wastage you get with bubble diffusers. __________________ Steve 45 gal tall high-tech : 2-23-12 update Complete CO2 Leak Test : How to build a CO2 regulator Never argue with a fool. Onlookers often can't tell the difference. Growing older is mandatory, growing up is optional. My advice is free and worth every penny.

07-02-2012, 07:05 PM	#432
jcgd Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (6/100%) Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 1,983	Has anyone tried a phosban reactor? I may lik one up today and try it instead of the whole house filter housing. Same general design, it just made to house Purigen and the like. I found one for $50, 4.5" by 15". __________________ Follow your Impulse, click here.

07-06-2012, 08:11 PM	#435
sketch804 Always Learning (View User Tanks) PTrader: (38/100%) Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Richmond, Virginia Posts: 1,190	day or two and you should be fine. __________________ -=:Sketch804:=- ::My 40gal breeder journal:: ::Local Va Forum (AFU):: ::10 gal river tank:: Do you grow Hygro Lancea (please post)? Fluval pimp #31

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06-24-2012, 09:43 AM	#422
aquatic serenity Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: May 2011 Location: delaware Posts: 117	with my 20" reactor I am also noticing an added benefit: less CO2 consumed because it is so completely dissolved in the 20" chamber.. I need less bps than with my 10" canister... anyone else notice this ??

06-25-2012, 03:44 AM	#424
chuckz07 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Decatur, Al Posts: 57	First off, sorry for the cruddy cell phone pics... Ok, I decided to show my setup thanks to this thread. I've been running it for awhile now and I like it. I built many RG style reactors and wasn't happy. To be honest, I built this quite a while back and then chunked it in the corner to try something different along the RG style. Came back to this a few months ago though. Anyway, it is being pushed via a Fluval 405 and the dual scrubbies sure helped with the bubbles. The other day I bought the stand so I'll be adding some valves and such to make cleaning easier. Now here is something interesting I found at HD in the irrigation dept. For the cost I decided WTH and tried it. The inlet port swivels. I was leary of it leaking but it has been running for a couple months with not issues. It doesn't leak in or out. Kinda makes things a little less bulky. Here is the fitting: http://www.lowes.com/pd_234223-1029-...sales_dollar\|1

06-30-2012, 11:40 PM	#425
gh0zt Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (14/100%) Join Date: May 2007 Location: san jose, ca Posts: 51	Just finished mine and I had a question, can anyone tell me why my reactor is not filling all the way up? I can turn my canister filter off, have the reactor fill all the way up, but as soon as I start my filter again the reactor empties to this same spot. Any help is appreciated.

07-01-2012, 03:43 AM	#426
m00se Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4/100%) Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Syracuse, NY Posts: 1,282	You have an air leak in the intake line somewhere before the reactor - are you using sponges or anything in the reactor that would make the canister pull harder than it normally would? That's classic right there....clogged prefilter or other cause of leaning out the pump somehow.

07-01-2012, 09:02 AM	#427
gh0zt Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (14/100%) Join Date: May 2007 Location: san jose, ca Posts: 51	I stepped out for 6 hrs and came home to a completly full reactor. Not exactly sure how that happened, but I assume outflow was faster than a 20" reactor housing can fill up so it filled little by little.

07-02-2012, 03:07 PM	#430
gh0zt Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (14/100%) Join Date: May 2007 Location: san jose, ca Posts: 51	I'm noticing that my reactor behaves normally when the co2 is off. Put a drop checker into my tank over night and its bright yellow even with no co2. I think my problem is way too much co2 getting pushed into the reactor.

07-06-2012, 07:44 PM	#434
Trickerie Nerd (View User Tanks) PTrader: (8/100%) Join Date: May 2012 Location: West Palm Beach, FL Posts: 707	Heres my reactor. How long can I expect the air bubbles being sprayed out? Im guessing its normal until all of the trapped air is released.