External Inline CO2 reactor

Marsha Finley · Post by **Marsha Finley** » Mon Jan 12, 2004 5:12 pm

100% is VERY IMPRESSIVE!
Questions:

Parts List? expecially length & diameter of tube... length = stay time = absorption rate.. Right?

Do you turn off this filter at night to avoid CO2 build-up?

How does temp affect CO2 absorption? What is temp of water in reactor, if it makes a difference?

Ghazanfar Ghori · Post by **Ghazanfar Ghori** » Mon Jan 12, 2004 5:26 pm

You can get the parts list off the first picture.
This is for ~250GPH. If you've got less, I'd go
with a skinnier tube, but probably the same length.

In one of my tanks, I've got a solenoid which cuts
off the CO2 at lights out. The other one stays on
24/7 but I've got it so that the spraybar creates
just enough turbulance. (Trial and error - do not
reccomend). The best would be to use a solenoid
in conjunction with either a timer or a pH controller.

[EDIT]
Temp - warmer water dissolves less gas in general.
The temp in the reactor is not different from the
temp of water in the tank - it's moving through at
a good clip.
<edited><editID>Ghazanfar Ghori</editID><editDate>37998.6858217593</editDate></edited>

JLudwig · Post by **JLudwig** » Mon Jan 12, 2004 8:21 pm

Odd, I just posted this to another thread

Two things:
- This reactor is crazy efficient, using the same injection rate into my
canister I killed some fish (plants didn't mind tho!

)
- If you're having trouble finding odd parts, www.mcmaster.com
can't be beat, I ordered all the part for this reactor from them, it near
$10 with shipping included, very fast delivery.

Jeff

Jamie G · Post by **Jamie G** » Mon Jan 12, 2004 8:27 pm

ok, i got the reactor part .. but if it is inline with the intake, doesnt the inside get dirty - dirty ?? And what about the use of CO2 resistant tubing ive been reading about .. any pros cons, matters or doesnts ?

Ghazanfar Ghori · Post by **Ghazanfar Ghori** » Mon Jan 12, 2004 9:41 pm

The inside does get dirty but doesn't clog up or impede
flow. I've been using two of these units for, I think
over a year and half now - cleaned one of them only
once - and that was because I was doing a major
overhaul etc. Now if large peices of debris does get
in there - it'll probably recude flow for a bit until
it disintegrates. As an added bonus, the bioballs add
to the biofilteration.

Jamie G · Post by **Jamie G** » Mon Jan 12, 2004 10:22 pm

and the extra air in there doesnt stop the suction to the canister filter ?

Archie · Post by **Archie** » Tue Jan 13, 2004 1:56 am

it can. this was covered a little in the equipment forum. you can do 2 things to avoid this:
1. don't turn off your filter
2. have a check valve close to the diffusor and when you turn off the filter, take off the hose connected to the check valve (the one from the co2) and let the co2 just flow out...or unplug the solenoid. I haven't had any airlocking as long as the filter is running, but i don't know about everyone else. also to avoid it getting to dirty, you can use a prefilter.

Jamie G · Post by **Jamie G** » Tue Sep 21, 2004 12:22 pm

what should the dimensions of the reactor be in regards to tank size. mine is approx 14"l x 3"w PVC. Ive tried everything to get mine to quit burping .. and its just not working.. one thing i did notice though .. i installed my reactor at about 10 - 15 degrees. would installing it at 0 make any difference <img border="0" src="smileys/smiley5.gif" border="0">

Jamie G · Post by **Jamie G** » Tue Sep 21, 2004 12:27 pm

....also wouldnt the purple primer and cement leech out after a while ... but then again .. i guess if enough h2o changes are done, it shouldnt be an issue. did i answer my own question ?

Ghazanfar Ghori · Post by **Ghazanfar Ghori** » Tue Sep 21, 2004 2:05 pm

I think you've built the reactor a bit too big!
Try a smaller width - 2" or maybe even 1.5" and
about 8-12" long. The reactor size is
directly proportional to the amount of water flowing
through it. For a 2215 - I would go with a
1.5" wide and 10" long reactor.

External Inline CO2 reactor

Sponsors