CO2 Reactor Set-Up -- Is This Correct?

[DTs]

Here's a picture of my Dupla CO2 reactor. I installed it according to the diagram drawn by the vendor, but I don't think it's right.

For reference, the left tube of the Eheim filter is the tank return; the right tube is suction.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2002-12/78069/CO2Reactor.JPG

You can see the reactor on the left side of the photo. The CO2 is injected in the top. Currently, water flows in from the bottom connection on the reactor, and then flow out of the top tube.

The problem is that CO2 is injected in the top and then it immediately goes out the top tube and into the tank, basically bypassing all the reactor media.

My feeling is that the water from the filter should enter the top tube, as does the CO2, and then flow from the bottom of the reactor out to the tank.

What do you think?

[Jeremy S]

Originally posted by DTs
My feeling is that the water from the filter should enter the top tube, as does the CO2, and then flow from the bottom of the reactor out to the tank.


Yes, you should have the reactor on the intake side of the canister filter. It will eliminate the problem that you’re having and it should increase the water flow from the filter. Why do you have the reactor bypassed from the main flow of the filter?


Here is a pic of what mine looks like.

http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL99/1689823/3244926/39787538.jpg

[DTs]

Hi Jeremy,

I set it up this way because Cal at Hawaiian-Marine drew a detailed sketch and said it should be this way. He totally knows what he's doing, but I'm certain he made a mistake. I haven't talked to him since he sent the diagram, so I'll call him tomorrow.

I would think the reactor should be on the outflow side of the canister as you never want to restrict the intake side (right?). You'll see there is a flow diverter on the outflow side that, when turned, allows me to control the amount of water being fed to the reactor (again, Cal included this in the diagram). Currently, if I don't close this valve a little, water does not flow through the reactor.

Thanks,

Darin

[DTs]

Problem solved!

I just reversed the input and output hoses to the reactor and it works prefectly. Thanks.

[Jeremy S]

I’m glad you got it figured out. Seems like a very simple fix. I’m surprised I didn’t think of it. BTW do you have any pics of your tank?

[DTs]

I just set it up a day ago....

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2002-12/78069/Tank1.JPG

It's 36x24x24.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2002-12/78069/tank2.JPG

[medge00]

looks good. be sure to show us what it looks like when everything grows in.

[Jeremy S]

Wow that looks great! I love the way rimless, open top aquariums look. What company made the tank?

[DTs]

Thanks. Inter-American in Canada made the tank. They're very inexpensive too for starphire glass (ultra clear, low iron stuff).

The only mistake I made was having them put in "smoked" glass on the back panel. When viewed from the front it looks like I have blackwater. I'm probably going to paint it black.

I'm still trying to find the *right* rock arrangement to put in the tank. I like the long rock in the tank right now, but would like to find a nice sized piece of petrified wood to replace the existing african driftwood in there currently. It just doesn't look quite right the way it is now.

I'm probably going to add a few more plants, maybe smaller crypts. in the mid-ground.

What fish should I put in besides SAE's and maybe a bristle nose? I'm thinking perhaps a bunch of rummy nosed tetras and maybe a few Altum angels.

[DTs]

Jeremy -- is your reactor mostly filled with water when working? Are you supposed to have a good amount of water moving through the unit, or just a trickle? Just trying to figure out how to best use it.

[Jeremy S]

Originally posted by DTs
Thanks. Inter-American in Canada made the tank. They're very inexpensive too for starphire glass (ultra clear, low iron stuff).

Do they have a website? I’d be very interested on going with them for my next tank.


Originally posted by DTs
What fish should I put in besides SAE's and maybe a bristle nose?

If you get a bristle nose you should have at least one piece of real drift wood for him to eat. I didn’t realize how much they like to eat the wood until I got one. My drift wood is a lot smaller then it used to be.


Originally posted by DTs
Jeremy -- is your reactor mostly filled with water when working?


Yes, mine about 3/4 full of water.


Originally posted by DTs
Are you supposed to have a good amount of water moving through the unit, or just a trickle? Just trying to figure out how to best use it.


With the reactor 1000 it says that you should have at least 250 GPH flowing through it. My filter only pumps 185 GPH and the reactor still works. I would put the whole flow of your filter through the reactor and see if the CO2 gets pushed out the outlet. If it does you can just turn down filter flow. The CO2 will dissolve better if you have a higher flow going through the reactor.

[DTs]

Originally posted by Jeremy S


Do they have a website? I’d be very interested on going with them for my next tank.

Yes -- http://go.to/interamerican

You'll probably talk to Mitch. He's a nice enough buy but he's the most compulsive liar I've ever spoken to in my life. He lies about things he has no reason to, and it screws things up for you. He does this with just about everyone. Search "Inter-American" on www.reefcentral.com and you'll see lots of angry posts about Inter-American. If you order and call to follow-up, ask to speak to someone other than Mitch. The rest of the people are good.

I'll try the higher reactor flow. My dKH is 4 but my pH was only going down to 7. This was at the lower reactor flow. I have an Eheim 2028 which supposed flows in the 250 gph range, but the reactor does cut down the flow significantly.