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My regulator has been shipped and my water filter housing is already here, so it is time to design and build my Cerges reactor. I'm very familiar with the famous post 770 outlining all the parts but I've also been shown by @EmotionalFescue and @Immortal1 the reasons behind a bypass valve and a back pressure valve. So here's my design:
Water exits the Eheim canister at 1, splits off at 2 to either bypass or head to the reactor. 3 is the bypass valve, 4 is a cutoff valve. CO2 is injected at 5 and of course 6 is the reactor. 7 is the back pressure valve.
I have a few questions and of course I welcome additional comments. First, the cut off valve. It just seems that it should be there. I can close it and the back pressure valve and open up the reactor for servicing. However. Given the height of the reactor and the internal tube, it doesn't seem possible to actually remove the clear reactor for any servicing. Is this an issue?
Leaks. How can I possible assemble this and test it for leaks? It is complete rigid and once assembled cannot be disassembled for leak preventing.
The Eheim (or JBL) quick disconnects are pretty cool. It looks like I can use them at points 4 and 7 instead of ball valves. It lets me remove the reactor for servicing and at the same time it solves the rigidity problem since the reactor will at least be in 2 pieces now, top and bottom. However, I cannot get them locally and although Amazon Prime might get them here by this weekend that is iffy. Basically I have to order today and cross my fingers. They're also about $35 for pair. I can add them later, at point eqd and make the reactor removable, but it doesn't help with the rigidity issue. Beside, I don't think it will look at nice if it isn't rigid. @Immortal1, your picture of your reactor is a thing of beauty.
What else have I missed?
Oh, the reason I want the back pressure valve is for future re-use. I can see a 125 gallon tank in my future once I retire. I'm pretty sure I won't need it now on my current setup.

Water exits the Eheim canister at 1, splits off at 2 to either bypass or head to the reactor. 3 is the bypass valve, 4 is a cutoff valve. CO2 is injected at 5 and of course 6 is the reactor. 7 is the back pressure valve.
- a - hose barbs
- b - tee connectors
- c - ball valves
- eqd - Eheim (or JBL) quick disconnects.
I have a few questions and of course I welcome additional comments. First, the cut off valve. It just seems that it should be there. I can close it and the back pressure valve and open up the reactor for servicing. However. Given the height of the reactor and the internal tube, it doesn't seem possible to actually remove the clear reactor for any servicing. Is this an issue?
Leaks. How can I possible assemble this and test it for leaks? It is complete rigid and once assembled cannot be disassembled for leak preventing.
The Eheim (or JBL) quick disconnects are pretty cool. It looks like I can use them at points 4 and 7 instead of ball valves. It lets me remove the reactor for servicing and at the same time it solves the rigidity problem since the reactor will at least be in 2 pieces now, top and bottom. However, I cannot get them locally and although Amazon Prime might get them here by this weekend that is iffy. Basically I have to order today and cross my fingers. They're also about $35 for pair. I can add them later, at point eqd and make the reactor removable, but it doesn't help with the rigidity issue. Beside, I don't think it will look at nice if it isn't rigid. @Immortal1, your picture of your reactor is a thing of beauty.
What else have I missed?
Oh, the reason I want the back pressure valve is for future re-use. I can see a 125 gallon tank in my future once I retire. I'm pretty sure I won't need it now on my current setup.