CO2 reactors

[Richer]

Just curious on how all of you mix your water with CO2. I think the extra info will help out any plant ppl thinking about injecting CO2.

Personally, I have a powerhead attached to a gravel vac. In the gravel vac, I have a rigid air tube going up into it from the bottom, with a wooden airstone attached to it. I plug up the gravel vac with a sponge. It seems to work, as my CO2 concentration is about 20-25ppm.

Of course, I have an ulterior motive in this thread as well =)

I've been looking for an external reactor for quite awhile... however, I am unwilling to mail a cheque (check)... if anyone know of a place that sells a good external CO2 reactor like the reactor 1000 from http://www.aquabotanic.com/co2accessories.html and does ship up to Canada, give me a shout =)

-Richer

[djlen]

I use my Aqua Clears to inject.....the reason being, I tried using a power head and believe it or not, I got too much concentration that way. My PH dropped into the low, low 6's overnight and according to the charts I was pushing 35 - 40 ppm C02. So even thought the way I now do it is a bit wasteful, I get the peace of mind of knowing the fish aren't stressed.
(thanks for the reply to my PM Richer)
Len

[Tempest]

I use a gravel tube reactor.

Richer, if you check the DIY section on the Aquabotanic forum, I seem to recall some directions for putting together an external reactor with parts you can get from a hardware store. Tom Barr also used to sell the reactors that he makes. Not sure if he still does or not.

[plantbrain]

I do.
Regards,
Tom Barr

[Richer]

Yea, but unfortunately, I'm unwilling to go order a book of cheques just for a CO2 reactor... kinda strange to order an entire book just to use one cheque and have the rest sit around collecting dust for who knows how long =\

-Richer

[Tempest]

I guess maybe Canada is different but here we can just buy a money order for the correct amount. I suppose it could get complicated to find something like an international money order though.

I *have* sent small items to a friend in Canada though and since the value of the item was small, they had no problem receiving it without having to pay customs or such.

[Robert H]

I am not sure what your talking about with checks... I can ship hardware to Canada... I can take credit cards, or checks. If you want to mail me a check or money order, thats fine. It won't ship til I have the check and it clears. I also take paypal. Using a credit card is the fastest.

I dont know of any external reactors other than Aqua medics reactor 1000 and Tom Barrs home made one. Hydrologix may make one...

[Jeremy S]

Hydrologix does make a CO2 reactor (http://www.hydrologix.com/hydroco_list.htm).

[Richer]

Robert H - Are you the person who runs Aqua Botanic? If so, I was under the impression that you don't ship to Canada, since there was a little note on most of your pages saying "USA only." What kind of shipping charges are involved with sending the Reactor 1000 up to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada?

[plantbrain]

We all take money orders, cashier's checks etc.
It cost 13$ to ship to Canada last time I sent one there.

Robert H:
They are not "home made", they are shop made and they are _guaranteed for life_ or until I die. That term denotes some cheaply made item, which is not the case. You could whack someone with it and it'd be fine(the reactor, not the person:-)
The only ones I sell anymore have a solid bent hanger for hanging from the back of the tank or custom CO2 reactors for sumps. They have 30psi moveable fittings that are replaceable and removeable, solid thick acrylic and a pump included.

Regards,
Tom Barr

[punch]

how much Tom? I'm shopping around for another one. Havn't been happy with the ones I've gotten. And the pump? I've had problems with those clogging up real easily.

[125gJoe]

Originally posted by Richer
Just curious on how all of you mix your water with CO2. I think the extra info will help out any plant ppl thinking about injecting CO2.

Personally, I have a powerhead attached to a gravel vac. -Richer
I also have that set-up. I did get a bubble counter too, and it's on the side of the tank so I can always take a look at it just in case the needle valve acts crazy...
My Power Reactor is from FloridaDrifwood.com
..I could have made the thing, but I was in a hurry and bought it. I think it's extremely efficient! No CO2 wasted bubbles rising to the top of the water...
Link:
http://www.floridadriftwood.com/product.asp?0=217&1=253&3=147

[plantbrain]

External, good to about 75-80 gallon, more if you add a larger pump run 45$ includes shipping, pump etc (for a new one which I don't have ay the moment). I only have 2 left, it'll be after xmas before I have more. But I'll have another 10 after X mas with pumps etc. I have a couple of used ones (35$)
and a sump model which is good to about 300 gallons or so (without pump) for 45$. The sump types have never needed to be cleaned and have minimal pressure to run them and both types can be used with DIY yeast set ups.
I have a few internals left(4, 2 new, two used) which are 20$/10$ ea(20$ used w/used pump).

Plug the pump into the light timer.
At night when the pump stops, the mulm plant leaves etc fall off or float up and it doesn't ever clog. Also, allows CO2 to be added only when you need it. You don't need it at night and gain NOTHING from adding it 24/7.
Doubles the pump's life and saves electric and CO2 if you use it in conjuction with a solenoid. The increase in pH at night due to the water 's KH has little effect on the fauna and flora. The idea that it somehow is better and stanbilizes a tank better is not true in practical terms in any and every tank I've ever seen or had or heard of.

I clean it out once every 6 months or so. Hot water and a little bleach run through it.

You can try the night time off method to see if that prevents clogging.
Regards,
Tom Barr

[punch]

Thanks Tom, I never thought of turning the pump off! I do have my co2 tank with a selonoid so it does shut off at night but the pump didn't! I like the thought of the external reactor but a question, How does the co2 get IN the tank? I cant seem to picture it. What is used in the tank of does it go in the filter or what? Sorry for the questions but I'm still a little new on a LOT of stuff :D Thanks again.

[Richer]

Ah, a money order, never thought about that =)

Guess I'll wait till after New Years before I get myself a new reactor... till then, my money is gonna be shuffled to Christmas presents =\

-Richer

[plantbrain]

My advice, spend the $$$ on your honey/family, not yourself:-)
You'll make a good investment.
The tank will be there when you are ready.

P- a pump is in the tank that pumps water out to the reactor. Some folks splice or use the entire line to run it from their canister filter etc. I like a separate system since it adds more water current when I need it most during the day when plants are growing and removing nutrients.
I don't uase solenoids so the pump makes it easy to turn the CO2 on/off.

There's some wasted gas, but it amounts to about 4$ every year, which would take 10 years to pay for a cheap solenoid, but then that is if the solenoid last that long and if it doesn't use any electricity(3-4 watts x 12 hours x 365 days x 12 cents a kilo watt ~2$) so now it's about 20 years to get your money back in savings. I don't give a hoot about 2-3$ a year. I get more current for the set up. But some systems don't use a pump either and feed it in through the filter etc or it's output.
That can be done with this reactor also.

Regards,
Tom Barr

[punch]

Thanks Tom (:confused: ) Yes I'm still a little confussed.
Last Question, If I buy one will you send a blue print on the ways to set it up? I'm pretty sure I can read one of those! I'm not totally hopeless:rolleyes: Though some might disagree:p

[plantbrain]

A pic is worth a 1000 words.
It's far less complicated than you think it is.
Email me for a pic etc.

Regards,
Tom Barr

[Richer]

plantbrain - my thoughts exactly =)

-Richer