My DIY Calcium Reactor

You may remember my last DIY project, the Kalk Doser... Well it didn't go so well and I am NOT happy with my overall results... well that and an added worry about the integrity of my $15 dosing pump thanks to Mark. So here I go with another DIY, and as unlikely as it is I hopefully won't embarrass myself this time.

I take no credit for this, I got the idea from Reef Central but since the original pics disappeared from the thread I flew solo on some things. I'd like to add that I have not hooked this up yet but I have no reason to think it wont work. Here you go-

Micah's DIY Calcium Reactor:

Parts list:

Large Whirlpool water filter @ Lowes $60.00
Small Whirlpool water filter @ Lowes $30.00
Quite One 1200 pump $30.00 (I ended up replacing the one shown a little later) 
1 1/4 Sink pipe 12" long (I just searched around the sink parts till I found something that would fit inside of the Canister top) $3.50
6X Quick Disconnect Fittings $20.00 (aprox.)
Ball Valve Quick Disconnect Fitting $6.50
Various Other fittings $20.00 (aprox.)
Ball Valve Threaded Union $6.00
4' 3/4 hose $6.00
6' 1/4 hose $1.00
Reactor Media $26.00
Co2 tank w/ reg (already had one)

Total $179.00

Here is most of it but I did have to make some added trips to Lowes to get the rest of what I needed.



I started with fitting the 1 1/4 Sink pipe adapting it with the Chamber.



I threw it on the mill to cut some slots into it but drilling a bunch of holes instead would be much the same result, I just like working on the mill when I can. Also I had to grind down the threads to almost a point to fit into the bottom of the canister and had to shorten the whole thing about 2" to get a net fit.



After I finally got it all to fit, I used some 2 part epoxy and sealed the pipe into the bottom of the chamber.



I then begun working on the top of the chamber. With a 7/16 Drill bit, I drilled into two of the 4 top holes. I don't know why they are there but sure were handy and I didn't have to drill a pilot hole . With a 1/4 NPT tap, I tapped out both holes and installed 2 quick disconnect fittings.



From there I adapted my pump to fit the 3/4 hose. I wont get into detail about that because my pump is a one of a kind but here is something you'll need to know- Somewhere on the intake side of the pump you'll need to drill and tap a hole for your C02 to be injected. What I did was just two PVC threaded adapters with a small piece of pipe in between. This is a part that I've had some trouble with and will have to make another. I'll just add, allow plenty of time to dry before you tap it... I'm on my third try now .



After you get the main canister all sorted out it's time to start on the second. It's much the same as the first apart from the pump. For the pipe that drops down the center of the canister, I used 1" PVC (I'll have to double check on that) and cut slots in the bottom with.. you guessed it, my mill. This does not require as much flow as the main canister so a few holes should do the trick. After that it just needs a few bushings adapt to the 1/4 Quick Disconnect fittings.

After gluing the pipe into the bottom of the canister and letting it set it was time for its pressure test. I adapted a garden hose to fit the 1/4 line and after filling it with water, letting the bubbles out, and taking it up to whatever pressure my pipes are, it passed with flying colors and was ready for it's media and final assembly.





Note- I shoved some sponges down each pipe so the media wouldn't fall through the slots I cut. I don't know if this will have any ill effect but I'm sure I'll find out if it does.
Note- I used some brass adapters on the pump but I just read the negative effects brass can have on a reef tank so I'll be replacing those tomorrow. It's just what Lowes had to offer. Does anyone know if Stainless is any good?

And now I have an almost ready to instal Ca Reactor. I'll make sure I take photos of the installation and post it so beginners can get the full concept (I'm not really sure I even do yet )






Let me know what you think and I hope this helps people out.


Sculpin



Edited by Sculpin - February 22 2009 at 1:18am

Any news on how it works?

I got it all set up tonight. Here it is-







Everything looks like it's working well but it has a very minor leak and I read on my pump that it requires to be submersed so I'll be looking into a good Ehiem or something along those lines soon. I have it shut off for now though just in case. It didn't seem like it was getting too hot but better safe then sorry.

Let me know what you guys think.


Sculpin

Edited by Sculpin - October 13 2008 at 11:43pm

That looks pretty good.  I wish I had the equipment to build one.  I agree with Fishkeeper.  Maybe I can get some help with building one.

Any updates on this?

Heres and update-

Awesome DIY, I'll probably be hitting you up soon.

Awesome job! Just a couple questions

 

How are you controlling/monitoring the PH inside the reactor?

And What is turning your Co2 solenoid off and on?

 

Sculpin wrote: I don't use anything to regulate the ph in the reactor other then eyeballing the bubble counter. I just adjust the Co2 a little higher if I'm getting a reduction in calcium/alk in my system and then wait a week and see. It takes a little playing around but you still have to do that even with a PH monitor on the reactor. The whole goal is to balance the reactor with the supplements the coral eat up, right?

Sculpin wrote: No problem with the Q's man. Happy to help. Yes I do regulate the water flowing into the reactor. I use a pinch valve and just squish the plastic line. I've found that any sort of ball or gate valve that reduces the flow usually get caught up with junk and are less reliable than the pinch valve I use. I do have a controller on the tank that will shut down the Co2 when the main pump is shut off. That way I don't over do the Co2 in the reactor if I shut off to feed.