Cerges' Reactor - DIY Inline CO2 Reactor

[m00se]

Well if it's coming out of your canister, it's getting into it, too....so I would probably try to figure out the flow rates and adjust to eliminate any air. I would be more concerned with air in the canister than I would the reactor, aside from the noise anyway.

[puopg]

Originally Posted by m00se

Well if it's coming out of your canister, it's getting into it, too....so I would probably try to figure out the flow rates and adjust to eliminate any air. I would be more concerned with air in the canister than I would the reactor, aside from the noise anyway.

Alright i will adjust the flow of the surface skimmer and hope i can find that sweet spot. Thanks!

[don.dagg]

OK guys I have a quick question. Has anyone tried to add an extra line into the reactors to input air? My co2 will be on a timer for the solenoid to turn it off at night, but how about adding the air pump line on a timer to turn on at night? If I can inject co2 why can't I inject o2 and eliminate one more hose feeding into the tank? Do you think this will work? Any opinions or other ideas? Thanx

[leros]

Seems like you could do that with a T-connector and 2 check valves.

Air pump -> check valve -> left side of T-connector
CO2 -> check-valve -> right side of T-connector
output of T-connector -> reactor

My only concern is that your reactor probably wouldn't be able to handle the high output from the air pump.

[puopg]

Originally Posted by don.dagg

OK guys I have a quick question. Has anyone tried to add an extra line into the reactors to input air? My co2 will be on a timer for the solenoid to turn it off at night, but how about adding the air pump line on a timer to turn on at night? If I can inject co2 why can't I inject o2 and eliminate one more hose feeding into the tank? Do you think this will work? Any opinions or other ideas? Thanx

Since O2 does not easily dissolve into water, i would imagine you might get a ton of gas buildup in the reactor. Otherwise, seems fine.

[m00se]

Originally Posted by puopg

Since O2 does not easily dissolve into water, i would imagine you might get a ton of gas buildup in the reactor. Otherwise, seems fine.

+1 on build up.

[don.dagg]

Yea Air pump is a lot more flow. How about just T it in after the reactor to blow out the spray bar? Has anyone tried this yet?

[BraveBuc]

Originally Posted by don.dagg

OK guys I have a quick question. Has anyone tried to add an extra line into the reactors to input air? My co2 will be on a timer for the solenoid to turn it off at night, but how about adding the air pump line on a timer to turn on at night? If I can inject co2 why can't I inject o2 and eliminate one more hose feeding into the tank? Do you think this will work? Any opinions or other ideas? Thanx

I've done it. I need to play with it more. I tried using a T with check valves but my check valve was leaking a little co2 out to the air pump so I've been waiting to try different check valves. I did get all kinds of false pearling like I have never seen before the two mornings I tried it manually so it seems like it does do something.

The reactor fills up very quickly with my larger air pump. I have a smaller one with a controllable flow rate but that doesn't have enough power to push the air against the pressure of the water loop. I just ran the big pump until the filter housing was almost full and turned it off. Then it just gurgled away and was almost empty before lights on. I'm thinking about putting the big air pump on a timer for say 15 min every night.

This is with the 20"/1" whole house water filter. The fatter one.

[TheCryptKeeper]

I made one of these about a week ago when my danner mag pump went out. It is working fine! I have it inline with one of my XP3's. I get a little bubble mist into the tank but the plants have perked back up so I know it is working. The bubble mist is nothing compared to the needle wheel mag pump, that thing would have the tank in a CO2 cloud

[watercage]

I dont get what the big deal about some small microbubbles is...

A few hours into the light cycle, my whole tank is pearling and bubbling...

[TheCryptKeeper]

Originally Posted by watercage

I dont get what the big deal about some small microbubbles is...

A few hours into the light cycle, my whole tank is pearling and bubbling...

Agreed

[marcnc]

First time trying to setup Cerges' Reactor.

I have Reactor all built and ready to go, few questions I have.


Setting up on 90 Gallon Tank
Canister is Rena Filstar XL
Flow-rate: 450 U.S. GAL/h
Waterflow with filtration media and accessories: 190 U.S. GAL/h

Will the canister have enough flow to use the reactor?

Should my in-line heater go right after the canister, then to the reactor or should it go after the reactor? Or does it not matter?

My CO2 regulartor has a bubble counter on it, from what I read I can remove that since my reactor housing is clear?

Thanks

[farrenator]

Originally Posted by marcnc

Will the canister have enough flow to use the reactor?

Should my in-line heater go right after the canister, then to the reactor or should it go after the reactor? Or does it not matter?

My CO2 regulartor has a bubble counter on it, from what I read I can remove that since my reactor housing is clear?

Thanks

Not sure about #1. Try and see. It will probably work.

Try it with the heater before the reactor - this will slow down flow (maybe) and allow more time for the CO2 to dissolve in the water moving through the reactor. I suppose this would only be a problem if you were blowing bubbles through the return wand.

Yes, you can remove the bubble counter. I have a clear reactor housing w/ no bubble counter. In my opinion, one less piece of equipment means one less thing to break. Make sure you still use a one way valve for the CO2 line though.

[puopg]

Originally Posted by marcnc

First time trying to setup Cerges' Reactor.

I have Reactor all built and ready to go, few questions I have.


Setting up on 90 Gallon Tank
Canister is Rena Filstar XL
Flow-rate: 450 U.S. GAL/h
Waterflow with filtration media and accessories: 190 U.S. GAL/h

Will the canister have enough flow to use the reactor?

Should my in-line heater go right after the canister, then to the reactor or should it go after the reactor? Or does it not matter?

My CO2 regulartor has a bubble counter on it, from what I read I can remove that since my reactor housing is clear?

Thanks

I use it with my eheim 2213. works fine.

[marcnc]

Anyone know good source for whole house clear canister filter, that does not cost a ton. I found one at lowes today, but it was 60 bucks.