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Simpler DIY PVC CO2 reactor.....

22496 Views 91 Replies 31 Participants Last post by  mistergreen, 
Rex Grigg
http://rexgrigg.com/diy-reactor.htm


Only 5 pieces of PVC, two hose barbs and one piece of tubing.

Just for educational purposes. I highly doubt the thing will work. I have no proof I can grow plants. So suspect anything that I build.
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SCMurphy
Hi Rex, welcome back.
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Gatekeeper
Looks fine to me.
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PRESTON4479
Hi Rex,

I was wandering if this reactor can be installed in the return line of the canister? So that the co2 does not pass through the filter.
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Gatekeeper
Depends on your filter, but thats usually the reccomended way by most people.
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Rex Grigg
I always recommend that the reactor be installed on the return line. But what do I know?
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PRESTON4479
Rex Grigg said:
I always recommend that the reactor be installed on the return line. But what do I know?
Click to expand...
Ok great, I want to make one of your reactors to get the glass diffuser out of my tank but did not want to take a chance on harming my filter by putting co2 through it.

Also, you say there is no need for bio balls in this reactor?

Thanks Rex,

Brian
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PRESTON4479
Ok Rex I need your opinion.

I went to Lowes today and was unable to find the exact same stuff that you used for your reactor. Although I think I got what I need and I dry fitted everything together. I posted a pic of it all together below. It is made from 2" pvc and uses brass fittings instead of plastic ones. Also instead of drilling a hole for the co2 hose I used an 1/8" hose barb fitting. Overall length of the reactor is 26".:icon_surp

So I have three questions

1. Will this reactor in your opinion serve its purpose?
2. All put together this thing is rather large. Would I be able to shorten it any without affecting its performance?
3. Will the 1/8" hose barb fitting work ok? Instead of drilling the reactor.

Thanks---Brian

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T
Brass is not good. Especially in a tank with fish. Go plastic.
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PRESTON4479
tropicalfish said:
Brass is not good. Especially in a tank with fish. Go plastic.
Click to expand...
What kind of problems does brass cause? Just curious. Alot of water systems in homes today use brass fittings like ball valves and we fill our aquariums with this water and also drink it.

DiabloCanine used brass on his reactor. Check it out.

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/diy/38006-co2-reactor.html
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Rex Grigg
If the reactor is designed properly there is no need to have bio balls in it.

Preston:
1. Maybe
2. Maybe. How much water are you pushing through it?
3. Maybe. The advantage of drilling the reactor is that you get the CO2 injected into the column of moving water (the tubing ends in the middle of the reactor body). With a fitting the CO2 is injected into the edge of the water column which moves much slower.

Brass can leach copper. I have tons of plastic fittings in the correct size.
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Gatekeeper
Lowes has the plastic fittings. And getting the line into the body of the flow through the reactor as Rex mentioned (ie. not just injecting it on the side) is better. I have also seen people using an airstone to breakdown the bubbles more, but I don't see the advantage of that overtime since the airstone is bound to gum up. Shortening the reactor is possible. Testing it out is the only real way to know though.
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R
Brass is an alloy of Copper and Zinc. I guess it could slowly seep into the water...
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plantbrain
Rex, add instead of bioballs, the plastic tabs from 6 packs of beer.
Or that bunny grass for easter baskets if you are that type:)
Or lava rock.
Virtually anything that will not rot.

Regards,
Tom Barr
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Rex Grigg
The first few reactors I build had bio balls in them. And over time they would clog up and slow the flow. So I removed them. Never had a problem dissolving the CO2 without them.

For a Rena XP-3 filter you can go as short as 18" over all length and still have a decent chance of dissolving all the CO2. It just depends on how much you are injecting.
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PRESTON4479
gmccreedy said:
Lowes has the plastic fittings.
Click to expand...
I have now been to Lowes and Home Depot and can not find these fittings.:icon_frow

Brian
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Rex Grigg
And I doubt you will. All the big box stores around here quit carrying the type of elbows we use in both brass and plastic about six months ago.
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tazcrash69
I have found 2 places to have the barbs I want, a Local Hardware store with a giant unit of drawers that are subdivided. Then if they don't have, then send this guy an email.
I've bought several from him while trying out different designs.
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Gatekeeper
PRESTON4479 said:
I have now been to Lowes and Home Depot and can not find these fittings.:icon_frow

Brian
Click to expand...
Wow seriously?? I just bought those exact fittings not more than 2 months ago at a Lowes near me. Not for nothing...but i have to ask...Did you ask someone at the store to help??
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PRESTON4479
gmccreedy said:
Wow seriously?? I just bought those exact fittings not more than 2 months ago at a Lowes near me. Not for nothing...but i have to ask...Did you ask someone at the store to help??
Click to expand...
No I didn't. Its usually pretty hard to find good help at my local Lowes. I did spend like an hour in there looking in the section where all the brass fittings, plastic tubing, pvc and pex piping are and was unable to find them. I will check Lowes one more time and will also try some smaller local hardware stores to see if I may be able to find bins of them.

Thanks to everyone for all the advice,

Brian
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