CO2 Reactor Design

leo · 03-29-2003, 01:24 AM

I have gotten all the part to build Mr Ghori's reactor. My question is---- Does the CO2 enter the bottom of the reactor or does it enter the top. The picture on his site does not clearly show this one detail.

m.lemay · 03-29-2003, 02:21 AM

I believe Ghorigs reactor has the co2 coming in near the top. The closer to the bottom of the reactor without letting undissolved co2 escape, the better. Flow rate thru the reactor has a big effect on how close to the bottom you can let co2 in. The higher the flow rate of water thru the reactor the closer to the top of the reactor you have to put the inlet for the co2.
The reactor is far more efficient when the co2 bubbles churn in the water inside the reactor. It is less efficient if co2 is allowed to pool at the top of the reactor.

Marcel

leo · 03-29-2003, 03:07 AM

Thanks for your reply. It makes sense..you would need to fave a very fast flow to pull the bubbles downwards. I have a ehiem 2026 which is not a high flow canister filter so I guese I will try installing the CO2 inlet 2 or 3 inches up from the bottem. Can not wait to finish the tank cabinet so that I can get wet. Thanks again Leo

Pancake · 03-29-2003, 05:42 PM

Even if the Co2 pools at the top as long as there is new water contacting it there should be no problem.You want the co2 to be dissolved into the water and either way that is what will happen but if you put the co2 inlet at the bottom it might be sucked out of the reactor before it ever gets dissolved.

Pancake

Captain · 04-01-2003, 02:06 PM

I have a similar homemade reactor and a 2026 driving it. The CO2 goes in at the top and I am getting great results. I don't see any bubbles in the output and I am keep a stable pH of 6.8 during the day. I don't think it matters if some CO2 pools at the top of the reactor and with the 2026 not much will. It may not be a super high flow filter but it is enough to push some gas around so it doesn't pool.

Doomer · 04-02-2003, 12:04 AM

I've got an Aqua Medic Reactor 1000 and the CO2 goes in the top then down a tube to the bottom. Don't quite understand the logic behind this but it works. If the CO2 went in the bottom directly it would make it easier for water to drain back into the system if something happens like a hose comes loose.

03-29-2003, 01:24 AM	#1
leo Newbie (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 2	I have gotten all the part to build Mr Ghori's reactor. My question is---- Does the CO2 enter the bottom of the reactor or does it enter the top. The picture on his site does not clearly show this one detail. __________________ 55 gal tank under construction

03-29-2003, 02:21 AM	#2
m.lemay Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (9/100%) Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Naugatuck, CT. Posts: 2,647	I believe Ghorigs reactor has the co2 coming in near the top. The closer to the bottom of the reactor without letting undissolved co2 escape, the better. Flow rate thru the reactor has a big effect on how close to the bottom you can let co2 in. The higher the flow rate of water thru the reactor the closer to the top of the reactor you have to put the inlet for the co2. The reactor is far more efficient when the co2 bubbles churn in the water inside the reactor. It is less efficient if co2 is allowed to pool at the top of the reactor. Marcel __________________ FILSTAR Pimp #2 75 gal heavily planted,50/50 Black beauty,Eco-complete substrate, Pressurised CO2 with solenoid, ph controller, AB Reactor 1000, 330 watts 9325K GE PC lighting,Ehiem Liquidoser, 2-Filstar xp3 canisters.

03-29-2003, 03:07 AM	#3
leo Newbie (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 2	Thanks for your reply. It makes sense..you would need to fave a very fast flow to pull the bubbles downwards. I have a ehiem 2026 which is not a high flow canister filter so I guese I will try installing the CO2 inlet 2 or 3 inches up from the bottem. Can not wait to finish the tank cabinet so that I can get wet. Thanks again Leo __________________ 55 gal tank under construction

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03-29-2003, 05:42 PM	#4
Pancake Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 52	Even if the Co2 pools at the top as long as there is new water contacting it there should be no problem.You want the co2 to be dissolved into the water and either way that is what will happen but if you put the co2 inlet at the bottom it might be sucked out of the reactor before it ever gets dissolved. Pancake

04-01-2003, 02:06 PM	#5
Captain Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Hummelstown, PA Posts: 10	I have a similar homemade reactor and a 2026 driving it. The CO2 goes in at the top and I am getting great results. I don't see any bubbles in the output and I am keep a stable pH of 6.8 during the day. I don't think it matters if some CO2 pools at the top of the reactor and with the 2026 not much will. It may not be a super high flow filter but it is enough to push some gas around so it doesn't pool.

04-02-2003, 12:04 AM	#6
Doomer Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: The Boondocks Posts: 468	I've got an Aqua Medic Reactor 1000 and the CO2 goes in the top then down a tube to the bottom. Don't quite understand the logic behind this but it works. If the CO2 went in the bottom directly it would make it easier for water to drain back into the system if something happens like a hose comes loose.