My DIY Calcium Reactor TOTW 9-10-07

[Poseidon]

Well, with the help of a couple local reefer buddies (GBSteve and Kenbow) I have started my FIRST real DIY project. We are building 3 Calcium Reactors that are based on THIS one, with a few modifications. The BIGGEST difference is we have added 2" to all the dimensions! This beast measures 10"x10"x17" Tall! With a little approximation, we anticipate the reactor will hold nearly 3 GALLONS of ARM, which works out to about 30lbs. Since the reactor dimensions have been increased, and as is the norm in Michigan, we have also increased the Acrylic to 3/8" rather then 1/4". So far we have about $70 into the acrylic, and since Steve and Ken already have Ca Reactors, they only need a few more PVC parts and the media and they will be done, I have to add all the OTHER goodies, like the CO2 tank, regulator, etc, I expect my finished cost to come in around the $300 mark.

Well without further delay, here are some pictures:


Here are Ken's and my reactor in early construction.



In this image we are attaching the divider that keeps the 2 chambers seperate:


The 2 Reactors standing tall:


Steve's reactor, all 4 sides done, it needs a top now:


A top down into Steve's reactor:


Well this is about where we stopped for the night, we did attach the tops, but we need to router out the centers, and drill and tap for the removeable top piece. I started working on the Venturi that is used as part of the recirculation of CO2 gases, and it also is the input for the CO2 gas from the cylinder. I didn't really like the idea of using "gap sealing tape" as described in the thread, so I stood in front of the PVC at Lowes for a while and came up with this:



Which with a dremel tool and some CA, PVC Primer, and cement comes together like this:










And finally:





The finished piece has threaded female 1/2" ends on each side. One of the 1/4" tubing lines recirculates the CO2 that is caught floating at the top of the reactor, the other is an input from the CO2 Tank. The Venturi was designed so the the pump would actively PULL the unused CO2 into the recirculation pump. Basic testing, (blowing into one end) confirms that the 2 1/4" line do in fact pull in air, so I call it a SUCCESS!

I am sure there will be more to come as the reactor continues to take shape, but for now, this is where we are! Wish us LUCK! I hope there are NO LEAKS!!!!

[scubadude]

Very sweet Mike!
Dang I remember when Darren first came out with that reactor and its been a while. Cant wait to see it in action. Can you give us specifics on pumps you are using for it or PH's? An itemized price list would be nice too Is $300 total cost for just your unit? or the other 2 as well.

[charlie]

Hey Mike, now we are talking!!! Sorry I respond last nite, got caught up in watching the Bristol race with Lorie. I am with Rocky, if we could see a breakdown if possible, that would be great because I am in the same boat you are.

Rocky, I think that will be just his cost, because his friends already have a reactor, Mike needs the CO2 setup also. Hope I am right about that Mike???

Keep the pics coming Mike

[Poseidon]

Thanks Rocky!

I don't really have an itemized list, we had the plastic place make all the cuts for us, and we added a couple bottles of Weld-on 3 and 16. We were able to pull a few pieces from the scrap bin, but not all of it. It worked out to about $80 each in acrylic and glue.

As for pumps, I am going to use an Eheim 1250 that I already have, from a full tank purchase I made a few weeks ago. (This has worked out well, as I have resold some of it.) I will use a small powerhead that I have laying around for feed, so that is a savings too.

I guess this is close:

Acrylic= $80
Pump= $70 (Already have it so free)
CO2 Regulator, solenoid and pH controller from Milwaukee = $178
Misc PVC parts = $20 at the most
CO2 from local welding supply= Unknown at this point.
Feed pump, a minijet is mentioned in the build thread so lets say $15 (free)

I may come in a little over $300, but I am having fun, and I will have a MUCH MUCH larger reactor then I could have bought for that price. I priced out a GEO and getting everything I have listed here would have put me over $600 for a SMALLER reactor. (I like the GEO, I have a Kalk reactor from him, if I had an unlimited budget I would not hesitate to get one of his!)

[Poseidon]

Don't sweat it Charlie! We do have families right?

You are correct about the $300 being my cost. I will add more pictures when I get back over to Steve's place. Steve and Ken used a router on the top last night, so we have the flange in place now. I am going to build a couple more of the venturis today I think....

[charlie]

What was the idea of making the reactor larger Mike? Was it just the fact that you wanted to wait a longer time before changing the media?

[Poseidon]

LOL! Nope, nothing like that, it was more of a Tim the Tool Man Taylor syndrome I think! Actually Steve and Ken were working on the design already, I was able to jump in at the last moment. I do think the more media we have the easier it will be to dial in, volume = stability in this hobby I have found.

[charlie]

Have you guys thought about using some of that media that also supplements magnesium. I have heard it is a bit pricey?

[Poseidon]

I have been thinking about the Magnesium part, and I am hoping to use some gravel by SeaChem called "Gray Coast", but I am not sure if that will work or not. I was reading an article by Dr Holmes-Farley, and it appears that getting Mg out of a reactor is not the easiest thing to do, as the Alk comes out more then 2 to 1, so my dKh would be SKYHIGH in order to raise Mg levels.

[charlie]

You know, I think Don has done some dabbling with this, maybe he would know a little more about it??? If he gets back to me this morning sometime, I am gonna send him this way and maybe get his input too.

[Poseidon]

That would be great! Don sure does have a handle on the DIY, and his DIY sump looks AWESOME!

[Samper]

I wonder if there is a benefit to having a round chamber. Every reactor I've seen has a round one and it seems like that shape would be much harder to make than a square piece. At any rate it looks great so far. I'd like to make myself a kalk reactor because I'm honestly tired of starting drips every night.

[DonW]

Good Morning,

The Mg. granuals that get used all depend on the media used in the reactor since different media disssolves at different ph levels. The stuff from Zeo is probably the best stuff, but overall I found it to not do what I expected. I stil had to dose mg even after melting alot of this stuff. Dolamite is ok but if the reactor has a bunch of screw holding the lid on I found my self getting lazy and never adding it.

"CO2 Regulator, solenoid and pH controller from Milwaukee = $178" If you dont mike me saying. This would be my last choice in co2 equipment Ive wasted alot of money and frustration on these items. I'd go for the genx regulator with solenoid valve and no controller what so ever. I see no need for a controller with this type of reactor.

Don

[charlie]

I wonder if there is a benefit to having a round chamber. Every reactor I've seen has a round one and it seems like that shape would be much harder to make than a square piece. At any rate it looks great so far. I'd like to make myself a kalk reactor because I'm honestly tired of starting drips every night.

I will be looking forward to that thread too.

You know, when I had my 300 full of sps, I just dripped kalk 24/7, and never really had any PH problems, or swings. Have you tried that?

[Poseidon]

Chuck, I think we see round most often for its looks, and less seems to leak. It does COST MORE for round then it does for sheets.

Don, I am hoping to add more automation in the future, that is why I was looking at the controller and solenoid. I know I can run without them, but I think of it as a measure of safety. Would it be better to forgo the Milwaukee controller that runs about $100 and just get a $200 Reefkeeper 2 or AC Jr?

I have my reactor on an ATO now Charlie, so I was putting it in as fast as I could. My pH is solid at 8.3, it is just the others that are not holding steady anymore...

[Samper]

I have dripped 24/7 before with no ph problems however it was on a different system. This one the refugium is much larger and does effect ph in a positive way when reverse lit...I almost don't have to drip kalk at all for ph. Also my MRC reactor works almost too well for the bioload of the system. There are times when I have to shut it down and let the Ca drop for 3 or 4 days.

[charlie]

I have dripped 24/7 before with no ph problems however it was on a different system. This one the refugium is much larger and does effect ph in a positive way when reverse lit...I almost don't have to drip kalk at all for ph. Also my MRC reactor works almost too well for the bioload of the system. There are times when I have to shut it down and let the Ca drop for 3 or 4 days.

Chuck,
I am sure as the system matures, you will find that those little sps you once had will start using more and more calcium. Then you can let that reactor do its job to it's maximum ability.

Is that your Kalk reactor Mike? The thing about Kalk is it will maintain a Ca. level once you get the reading you want it at. Like I said before, somewhere, getting the Ca level up to, say 400, is sometimes a real pain. Those little buggers just love that calcium.

[DonW]

Don, I am hoping to add more automation in the future, that is why I was looking at the controller and solenoid. I know I can run without them, but I think of it as a measure of safety. Would it be better to forgo the Milwaukee controller that runs about $100 and just get a $200 Reefkeeper 2 or AC Jr?

Its not the controller that makes the automation reliable in this case. Its all about the probe. I would never own a RK. The idea to use a probe in a carx is to maintain a specific ph. On the other hand once you set the bubble count and drip rate its not going to change unless you change it. Alot of time you see people try to keep ph high in the tank and have the controller shut down the co2 if the ph starts to fall. This just scews up water chemistry since the effluent concentration is just going to go up and down.
The worst possible thing that could happen is the feed could fail and turn the media to mush and thats not going to happen with the larger media's. As long as the reactor is installed properly the controller is going to be nothing more than another piece of equpment that has to be calibrated on a very regular basis. Sort of defeats the purpose of automation.
The solenoid valve is a must have just in case the power goes out.

Don

[charlie]

Is this the one you are speaking of Don?

GEN-X CO2 REG W/SOLENOID: Premium Aquatics

[charlie]

Another question Don, remember this is reefing for dummies, right. Why is the solenoid valve a must, does it shut down the CO2?