CA Reactor plans

[BMW Rider]

http://www.canreef.com/photopost/data/500/1017calcium-reactor.jpg

I'm planning to build a calcium reactor fairly soon, and thought I'd share my plans and get some feedback before actually starting to build it. I have looked at the ready made units and most won't fit where I want to put it. That, and the cost of the ready made ones, made me decide to just build one.

It is going to be basically a smaller version of this one (http://www.melevsreef.com/dj88.html). I have calculated that it should hold approximately 10 lbs of media. I am trying to decide on a pump yet, I have three choices in mind. First is the Eheim 1048, second is a Mag2 and the third choice is the QuitOne 3000 that I all ready have. The QuietOne is probably a little overkill in the amount of flow, but I'm not sure if this is a bad thing or not. The Ehiem would be my preferred choice as it seems to be the best pump of the desired size. I understand they are very quiet running which is a concern with the Mag2. Naturally it is the most expensive option of the three, thus the dilema. Does anyone have any experience with the Ehiem pumps. One possible drawback of the Ehiem is that it appears to have hose barb fittings. I would rather have threaded connections if possible. This would not be a deal breaker though.

I plan to use this regulator (http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/store_pages/details/creactor.php?product_ID=cr-ppmilreg) from J&L which has a built in bubble counter, saving me the need to build one. Eventually I would like to add a Neptune controller to my tank and utilize it to controll the PH in the reactor, but that is a few months (or more) away from becoming a reality.

I will also need to get a CO2 tank. I would like to find a local supplier for the tank and gas. Does anyone in Calgary have any suggestions for that?
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[monza]

Might want to add a threaded hole in the top for a PH probe, not needed but it is nice. The design looks nice, don't know much about that downflow half of the reactor. Is the thought there so no CO2 can get to the tank? Might want to look at a Aquamedic Aqua bee for a pump, I've had two reactors including my current Deltec with that pump and it works real well.

I use and have bought my CO2 tanks form Oxygen Products. I like getting it refilled at Kost (sp?) fire and Safety.

Dave

[StirCrazy]

I've had two reactors including my current Deltec with that pump and it works real well.

Dave

Dave, is that the fluidized bed one? and what are you using for media if so?

Steve

[monza]

Steve yes, this model http://www.deltecusa.us/calciumreactors/pf600.php

I use the Rowalith media, all work good.

Dave

[BMW Rider]

Might want to add a threaded hole in the top for a PH probe, not needed but it is nice. The design looks nice, don't know much about that downflow half of the reactor. Is the thought there so no CO2 can get to the tank? Might want to look at a Aquamedic Aqua bee for a pump, I've had two reactors including my current Deltec with that pump and it works real well.

I use and have bought my CO2 tanks form Oxygen Products. I like getting it refilled at Kost (sp?) fire and Safety.

Dave

I figured I'd leave the PH probe fittings until such time as I need it. I will be able to make the hole in the top afterwards since it is removable for service and refills. Though perhaps it might be best to locate the probe in the bottom after the second chamber. Any advice on that?

Yes, the downflow design is intended to make better use of the CO2, and limit the amount that can be inadvertantly sent to the tank.

I'm not familiar with the Aquamedic pumps. Do you know where they are available from? I will do a google on it to see what I can find also. Thanks for the info.

[Johnny Reefer]

Forgive me for going on a bit of a side track here, but this middle aged dude is wondering what computer program that might be that you used to create your diagram?

Thanx much,

[kari]

Though perhaps it might be best to locate the probe in the bottom after the second chamber. Any advice on that?

Why not place the probe at the effluent outlet, like in your sump? That way you can use the same probe to measure tank ph and the reactor's.

My experience with Mag Drive pumps has been that I break 2 out of 3 pump covers before I'm done plumbing.

[monza]

I think your right it should be at the bottom of the second chamber.
Have you seen a design with the down draft idea before? My first thought is the CO2 is not going to want to go down, so you have the check value to recirculate it. So who knows, that's why Iask if you've seen the design before.

Dave

[StirCrazy]

Steve yes, this model http://www.deltecusa.us/calciumreactors/pf600.php

I use the Rowalith media, all work good.

Dave

Dave, where do you buy your media and have you tried using carb sea at all? I am interested to find out if it will work.

Steve

[Dabbler]

When I saw the one you are building on Reef central I made one. It does work well....but the one problem I found is on the down draft side , after a few months the substrate will compact and you will get a reduced flow. There was enuf reduction for an air bubble to form and I could see the water just dripping through.

So I built a new one with these plans, also from reef central http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=587186 It works well

http://www.canreef.com/photopost/data/500/892DSCN0870-med.JPG

[BMW Rider]

Thanks for all the tips, just what I was looking for. The design is the one from Melev's site. The link is in the original post.

The sorftware I used for the drawing is QuickCad. It is made by Autodesk, the makers of AutoCad. It is much the same to use, just much more basic. The files can be compatable with AutoCad also.

[StirCrazy]

When I saw the one you are building on Reef central I made one. It does work well....but the one problem I found is on the down draft side , after a few months the substrate will compact and you will get a reduced flow. There was enuf reduction for an air bubble to form and I could see the water just dripping through.

So I built a new one with these plans, also from reef central http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=587186 It works well

http://www.canreef.com/photopost/data/500/892DSCN0870-med.JPG

for anyone in the Vic area I can get a price on these houseings from my supplier and see how cheap I can get them in they are interested in them, or even just to add a nother filter to the RO unit.

Steve

[KrazyKuch]

Hey Dab Quick Question how did you attach you John Guest Fittings to the PVC "T"s???

[Dabbler]

I used threaded T's

[Dabbler]

the only thing Iu would change it the style of "container". I would go to one that threads on instead of this style of 1/4 turn....just for a better seal, I had a few leaks :confused:

[BMW Rider]

Its all finished and running. I still have to tune it in, that will take a couple of days or more of monitoring to get it just right. It appears to be working fine though. I ended up going with the Eheim 1048 pump. I got the tank from J&L as it was way cheaper than anything I found locally, plus I was ordering the rest of the equipment from them anyway. The gasket material is a silicone baking sheet from Canadian Tire I bought for $9.95 (nice green colour too). It is very pliable and seals perfectly and there is enough left to make 2 more gaskets.

http://www.canreef.com/photopost/data/500/1017Ca-Reactor-03.jpg

You can see in this picture the space constrainst I had which dictated the smaller size of the reactor.

http://www.canreef.com/photopost/data/500/1017Ca-Reactor-01.jpg

A couple of detail shots of the plumbing. The water is fed from a valve tapped into my return line form the sump. The return goes into the refugium.

http://www.canreef.com/photopost/data/500/1017Ca-Reactor-02.jpg

[Gizmo]

Hey Dabbler, can you post your parts list? or PM thanks