Calcium Reactor

[Gordoe]

I'm looking for any input on a Calcium Reactor. I've looked at a few of the DIY plans on the web but would like input on which is the best out there. Pro's and con's if you're using one.....

Gordoe

[seabass]

never used one. I never had the reason to. I havent met much people that do use it so i really cant say much about them

[reefburnaby]

Hi,

I think pump failure is one of the common problems in calcium reactors. Since there is so much grit in the main circulation loop, pumps fail at a faster rate. Ehiem is the best for this application (although they are quite expensive). Mag is at a distant second (though...they leak after a period of time).

Other than reactor size and dual chambers, I think most DIY reactors are very similar and they will all work well. Geo's makes a pretty good reactor...

Hope that helps.

- Victor.

[Greg Moore]

I made a square dual chamber reactor a few months ago, been running since without hassle (apart from the first few weeks of tweeking etc). I went with square because I have a wood shop and could make clean accurate cuts and do extreemly fine edge dressing. I am using a Mag pump, not thrilled with it, however I can get parts for it locally from a small fish store, the Eheim parts were only avaible from Big Al's who is neither close by nor cheap.

I can E Mail you a pic I made that has some notes on it, but this design is not good for plexi beginners nor those without access to a table saw and a jointer/planner. Otherwise it is extreemly compact (my requirment) and has been working well.

Greg Moore

[Greg Moore]

Just realised I could attach a file (new to this board :)

Here is the picture of my reactor..

[ajx22]

Hello Greg Moore . . . nice of you to visit us over here! ;)

http://www.aquariumpros.ca/images/welcome.gif to the AquariumPros.ca forum...I'm looking forward to having your knowledge and experience available to the members here too!

:wave: :wave: :wave:

[Mitchell]

greg how is that reactor working out for you anyway??

[Greg Moore]

Reefin Geek
So far great! Initially I tinkered with a couple of modifications which I have since retracted. It has been running for 6 mths now and I guess there are no CO2 leaks, tank (5lb) is still showing the same on the pressure gauges.

I had trouble at first getting it to produce the right numbers, it was dripping at 3 per second and producing 700ppm at the drip but the tank wasn't changing. Given I had been having ongoing problems raising calcium and following advice to give it time to stablalize the ionic balances etc, I just let it be. First month, still dripping at that rate and tank at 360ppm, second month about same except up to about 380ppm by months end. Mid third month and the tank skyrocketed. Shot to 480ppm and 12.5 dkh. I then spent the next 2 or 3 weeks finding a balance. Since about Aug the tank has sat around 420-440 and 11.5-12.0 which I am happy with (but colt isn't). Coraline is going great now, everything else seems happy and my gravel isn't going crunchy anymore.

Doesn't really need any media added yet (about 10% gone) and CO2 is looking like it will be good for another 6-12mths. Between the DIY chiller, the heater/chiller control, the reactor, a filterless system and X-10 lighting, I am now down to glass cleaning, occasional iodide adds and water changes every couple of months. Very self supporting now :)

Greg Moore

[ajx22]

Greg Moore

If you have links to the other DIY projects you have accomplished, I'm sure that all would be very happy to see some information on them?~!

Do ya mind sharing??

Thanks in advance,

[Kenzy]

Greg what are the "instant tube fittings" that you mention above in the pic.

[Greg Moore]

Actually I don't have pics of any of them except the reactor and that was because someone on another board wanted to see it as it went along. I would be happy to offer my experiences with what I have built if anyone wants info on any of them, to date they include.

-90g tank (had a broken end panel, installed new glass)
-full oak cabinet with enclosed hinged top
-air driven skimmer, 4' tall, 3" diameter pvc
-calcium reactor pictured
-well water chiller (works excellent and is dirt cheap and silent)
-electronic heater/chiller controller with digital readout ($60)
-venturi skimmer (5' x 4" pvc, on 8 30g prop tanks)
-low cost T8 fluorescent lighting with elec ballasts (on prop tanks)
-175w halide using home depot ballasts (on reef tank)
-modifying X-10 modules to work on electronic ballasts (removes flickers)
-virtually silent cooling fan for halide top
-power supply backup for pumps

All completed and running except the power backup, however it is mostly assembled and has been used a couple of times, just have not had a need to drop the cash for permanent batteries for it yet.

Greg Moore

[Greg Moore]

Kenzie
Instant tube fittings are more often know by a brand name of John Guest fittings but they come under many makes. If you have an RO unit, then you have used them. They allow you to push your small pipe into them and they will both seal and lock it in. To remove the pipe, you just press a little collar and it lets go.

You can get them from most places that do RO units but they are dear that way, Home Depot doesn't seem to carry them. McMaster and Carr in the US (they ship from Toronto so no duty) sells them on their web page in various grades, styles, angles and sizes.. http://www.mcmaster.com/

Greg Moore

[Kenzy]

Ok, I think I know the ones you mean, I've got some on an ice cube maker filter. Thanks.