DIY mini co2 reactor question

SvenBoogie · 08-26-2009, 07:22 PM

I'm brainstorming a mini internal co2 reactor for distributing the DIY co2 on my 10 gallon, and I was wondering if it would work sufficiently well to modify a cheap internal filter to act as a co2 reactor/diffuser. Would I be better off with just a cheap/small powerhead? As far as an internal filter, I was thinking of something like This one or This one...

hbosman · 08-26-2009, 08:03 PM

Get a Via Aqua 180

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...fm?pcatid=8164

Get a Lees elbow and attach it to the co2 line

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...41aquarium.jpg

snip a small piece out of one of the intake vents and shove the Lees elbow into the vent, you want a tight fit. You don't even need to glue it, just keep tension on the co2 tubing and tie the co2 line to the power cable.

It gives a nice mist of co2 shooting out the exit. For about $15.00 you are good to go. The only thing that annoys me is the sound of the co2 bubbles hitting the impeller so, turn up the TV.

hbosman · 08-26-2009, 08:07 PM

Another thing. When sniping the intake vent, eyeball it to make sure it lines up with the impeller.

**speedie408** · 08-26-2009, 08:37 PM

There should be some write ups on this one: Hagen Elite Mini

You can pretty much use any powerhead to get the same misting effect I'd assume. I use a Zoo powerhead and it works great. Just hate how it looks

.

SvenBoogie · 08-26-2009, 10:19 PM

Hmm, so far I like the design of the reactor people have built based on the design from the Barr Report site, but I'm still slightly confused as to the exact steps to build it... still researching though...

hbosman · 08-26-2009, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SvenBoogie

Hmm, so far I like the design of the reactor people have built based on the design from the Barr Report site, but I'm still slightly confused as to the exact steps to build it... still researching though...

Tom Barr's design was what gave me the idea for the one I used. I did try using a Rio 180, the same one he described and tried modifying the impeller the same as he described. But the plastic was to hard and just snapped when I tried to cut it. After I boogered that one up, I decided to buy the Via Aqua because of price and size, easy to hide.

Yeah, you can use any power head or water pump. You just have to find a way to aim the co2 bubbles at the impeller.

08-26-2009, 07:22 PM	#1
SvenBoogie Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Seattle, Wa Posts: 418	DIY mini co2 reactor question I'm brainstorming a mini internal co2 reactor for distributing the DIY co2 on my 10 gallon, and I was wondering if it would work sufficiently well to modify a cheap internal filter to act as a co2 reactor/diffuser. Would I be better off with just a cheap/small powerhead? As far as an internal filter, I was thinking of something like This one or This one... __________________

08-26-2009, 08:37 PM	#4
speedie408 Canon Pimp #001 (View User Tanks) PTrader: (361/100%) Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Bay Area, Cali Posts: 7,914	There should be some write ups on this one: Hagen Elite Mini You can pretty much use any powerhead to get the same misting effect I'd assume. I use a Zoo powerhead and it works great. Just hate how it looks . __________________ Canon Pimp Club #001 \| "ADA 120-P" \| Shrimp PIX COLLECTION by speedie408 \| RIP 39g "The Beginning" \| RIP "Variance" 40B collectoritis tank"

08-26-2009, 10:19 PM	#5
SvenBoogie Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Seattle, Wa Posts: 418	Hmm, so far I like the design of the reactor people have built based on the design from the Barr Report site, but I'm still slightly confused as to the exact steps to build it... still researching though... __________________

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08-26-2009, 08:03 PM	#2
hbosman Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Leesburg Virginia Posts: 1,584	Get a Via Aqua 180 http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...fm?pcatid=8164 Get a Lees elbow and attach it to the co2 line http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...41aquarium.jpg snip a small piece out of one of the intake vents and shove the Lees elbow into the vent, you want a tight fit. You don't even need to glue it, just keep tension on the co2 tubing and tie the co2 line to the power cable. It gives a nice mist of co2 shooting out the exit. For about $15.00 you are good to go. The only thing that annoys me is the sound of the co2 bubbles hitting the impeller so, turn up the TV.

08-26-2009, 08:07 PM	#3
hbosman Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Leesburg Virginia Posts: 1,584	Another thing. When sniping the intake vent, eyeball it to make sure it lines up with the impeller.