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DIY CO2 reactor ?

1183 Views 7 Replies 5 Participants Last post by  tricken, 
thedudeabides
So I made a DIY reactor for my co2 system (picture below) and when I put it in the tank and turned it on without hooking it up to the CO2 line the water pumped up through the co2 line and onto the floor.

Should I:

Do nothing as the co2 pressure and check valves will not let this happen.

Put less sponge at the end so the water passes through it easier.

Use a less powerful pump.

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C
Was it lots of pressure coming out? If not the check valve should keep it from going to your regulator.
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R
If you are going this route. instead of putting the co2 into the chamber run the co2 line into the intake of the pump. The impeller will help chop up the co2.

Always use a check valve on a co2 line. Any line hanging out of your tank down can siphon your whole tank onto the floor.
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thedudeabides
Well I was able to blow into the line and reverse the flow. it wasn't gushing out or anything. Just don't want to ruin my new regulator right off the bat :)
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thedudeabides
Another question I have is can I keep this configuration horizontal or does it need to be vertical to work properly?
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PlantedRich
At one point I ran into a commercial variety that works like this. It was open at the lower end and did need to be vertical. Seemed to be the same idea as the Rex Griggs. The CO2 fighting to float up while the water flow pushes down until the bubbles are small enough to move down and out. I would suggest a bit of each of your ideas. Check valve to keep water from going overboard while reducing or removing the bottom sponge. Maybe a net over the end to keep small fish out? If you are thinking less flow would help and want the pump stuck to the side, maybe an el between the pump and tubing would work to get the tube vertical and still stick the pump on the glass?

Just my opinion! Like your line!
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thedudeabides
PlantedRich said:
At one point I ran into a commercial variety that works like this. It was open at the lower end and did need to be vertical. Seemed to be the same idea as the Rex Griggs. The CO2 fighting to float up while the water flow pushes down until the bubbles are small enough to move down and out. I would suggest a bit of each of your ideas. Check valve to keep water from going overboard while reducing or removing the bottom sponge. Maybe a net over the end to keep small fish out? If you are thinking less flow would help and want the pump stuck to the side, maybe an el between the pump and tubing would work to get the tube vertical and still stick the pump on the glass?

Just my opinion! Like your line!
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Thanks, yeah I scrapped this idea and for now have the co2 line going into a powerhead but I don't know if that will work either. I guess I might either get a diffuser or have it going into a water pump.
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T
i ran this exact idea but pump was upside down co2 was added at the top with the sponge to pull the water in the top. co2 is pushed down and broke down to push in the tank. i no longer used this because i know run a inline reactor off my fx5
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