View Full Version : Co2 Reactor
Turbo
04-08-2003, 12:23 AM
Just went pressurized and am looking at reactors to hook up to my canister filter. But most of the ones I find cant handle the 350 gallons per hour that my filter pumps out. Does anyone have an idea where I can look?
125gJoe
04-08-2003, 1:31 AM
http://gordon.sourcecod.com/images/flagicons/american_flag.gif
I'm not sure of what you are trying to do.. :confused:
You mention a 'reactor', but want to route CO2 to the canister filter. Some do run the CO2 into the filter for good diffusion. My idea of a 'reactor' is a 'stand alone' device. They are two separate means to diffuse CO2. There are several ways to get the CO2 in the tank...
Here's a pic of my 'power reactor'. There are no bubbles of CO2 escaping to the top of the tank and wasted. 100% diffusion.
http://pic4.picturetrail.com/VOL59/715239/1597696/22125517.jpg
There's a small powerhead on top of the tube. This forces the CO2 to mix with the water. A sponge is at the bottom to prevent bubbles from escaping... :)
Plants can be placed near and in front of the reactor to hide it...
Dabbler II
04-08-2003, 9:24 AM
I just got this one from aqua-line
http://www.ab-aqualine.de/images/CO2-Reactor.gif
The reactor is a unit used to guide the CO2 into the aquarium. It is mounted on the inside of the tank. The special construction allows a very high CO2 diffusion rate and automatically removes any false gasses. The reactor is sufficient for an aquarium up to 500 liters ( 125 Gallons).
I haven't had a chance to see if it works realy well. I have only had it in for 2 days now. But i'll keep you posted:)
125gJoe
04-08-2003, 1:20 PM
http://gordon.sourcecod.com/images/flagicons/american_flag.gif
Dabbler II, that was another reactor I was considering.. I'm sure it's a good one!
What I was considering was an in-line reactor that splices into the supply line of the canister so it doesnt go through the filter. The water goes through the filter then through the reactor where the co2 is added and then into the tank. Ive see once for this at www.customaquatics.com called the Reactor 1000 but it only handles 250 gallons per hour and my filter runs at 350. So ive been looking for other options so i can avoid more crap in my tank.
nvision
04-08-2003, 2:09 PM
how about running a split in your outtake and let one end feed into the reactor?
dabbler, i've seen your reactor for sale at my lfs, but it costed $60. ouch. how's it working out for you? i almost bought one myself because it just looks really neat.
thats a great idea...i cant believe i didnt think of that. That should cut the flow in half on each end but together its still around 350. Good thinking. Thanks, Ill see what I can do.
Skittyfish
04-08-2003, 2:45 PM
I have that reactor ordered, it should be here in the next couple of days. I only hope I can figure out how to hook it up!
what reactor did you order?
Skittyfish
04-08-2003, 2:57 PM
The AM CO2 1000. I ordered from BigAls for $62.99. I ordered a solenoid valve and a few other things at the same time.
I have been using a Duetto filter to act as a reactor, but it is very wastefull. I am having to use about 4 bubbles per second. Plus I leave tha CO2 running at night and just turn off the filter, so its more wastefull. (at the time I am getting CO2 for free, but I still hate to waste it!).
I am sure that when I get it (reactor) that I will probably need something else to go with it. That always happens, and my LFS stinks when it comes to anything "high tech". Hopefully it will work well with my Eheim 2026.
plantbrain
04-08-2003, 7:11 PM
Why don't you make the 10$ model that works better than anything you've shown thus far?
PVC pipe place in between the intake and the canister filter.
Buy two 1/2" to 2" adapters and a 112-16 inch length of 2" pipe. Fill with bio balls. Attach to filter tubing, connect the adater end caps reducers and bubble the CO2 into the intake or drill a 3/16" hole into the 2" chamber near the top for the gas input.
This reduces all the bubbles entering the canister filter while not effecting the flow rate significantly.
Doesn't clog either but should be cleaned with hot water every few months.
If you have a canister filter or a wet/dry, there's no reason to have any CO2 tubes in your tank.
Why waste money :-)?
Regards,
Tom Barr
Excellent idea! I think I will do that. One question though...why do you add the Co2 to the top of the reactor? Why not the bottom so that it is forced through the bio-balls to help it dissolve into the water completely.
Avonlea,PA
04-08-2003, 9:09 PM
Originally posted by plantbrain
Buy two 1/2" to 2" adapters and a 112-16 inch length of 2" pipe. Fill with bio balls. Attach to filter tubing, connect the adater end caps reducers and bubble the CO2 into the intake or drill a 3/16" hole into the 2" chamber near the top for the gas input.
Can you post a pic.? I'm a bit confused as to how your canister filter hose and the CO2 tubing connect to the adapters.
I assume he means that the reactor is spliced into the filter supply (out to tank) tube. You just need a reducer to go from the 2" PVC pipe to the 1/2" filter supply tube on both ends. The CO2 is fitted in by drilling a hole in one and and then glueing it in there. Co2 is then pumped into it. I am only confused about why you would put the CO2 tube into the top end of the reactor and not the bottom.
Avonlea,PA
04-08-2003, 9:19 PM
I'm going to assume because you want the flow from the canister filter to push the CO2 across and around the bio-balls prior to goin into the canister
125gJoe
04-09-2003, 12:02 AM
http://gordon.sourcecod.com/images/flagicons/american_flag.gif
I some cases, I have heard that 'injecting' Co2 in a canister filter may cause an 'air' pocket where the impellor is - causing cavitation and a malfunction of the filter. That's why I went with a 'power reactor'. Doesn't take up much space at all on larger tanks and is easily hidden with well placed driftwood and/or plants. :)
Turbo
04-09-2003, 12:06 AM
Avonlea...I was in the assumption that the reactor goes on the OUT side of the filter...so the co2 would never go into the filter in the first place to cause the air pocket...what i meant by bottom was that it went in the bottom of the reactor instead of the top after the filter.
Turbo
04-09-2003, 12:19 AM
Hey plantbrain...im gonna build a reactor with the specs you gave me...but one thing is...when you say clean it out about once a month...what do you use to keep the end you take off, on when its running? Is it threaded?
carpguy
04-09-2003, 12:32 AM
There is an argument for the incoming side and a different one for the outging side. Folks use one or the other and most seem very happy with their inline reactors.
I think cavitation happens when the co2 is fed straight into the intake without the intervention of a reactor. Actual large bubbles getting in there. This shouldn't be the case once the CO2 is dissolved in the reactor.
If you just split the line you won't get equal flowrates on each side. The pressure will equalize and since there will be greater resistance on the reactor side more water will go to the free side. This might work if you could control the flow rate on the free side, but then you'd be restricting the total flow again. Tom's design seems simpler and has endured field testing by some of the most expert aquarists around (like Tom).
125gJoe
04-09-2003, 12:58 AM
Originally posted by carpguy
...... I think cavitation happens when the co2 is fed straight into the intake without the intervention of a reactor. Actual large bubbles getting in there. This shouldn't be the case once the CO2 is dissolved in the reactor. ......
http://gordon.sourcecod.com/images/flagicons/american_flag.gif
Nice... That does prevent the cavitation I heard about. No bubbles - no cavitation.
plantbrain
04-09-2003, 2:40 AM
Yes, all the CO2 is dissolved by the time it gets to the filter.
so that is not an issue.
You can place the CO2 gas input anywhere along the line up to the reactor or in the reactor but think about it.
Why would it not be a good place to put it on the bnottom of the reactor that's always full of water etc?
1# Leaky leaky.
2#You can purge the tube of any air or CO2 etc if you need to since gas rises and get it going right away.
You can also add the gas at the input of the siphon tube qwhich I prefer since this creates positive suction pressure rather than back pressure on the CO2 line. This will remove any need for a check valve or potential of leakage, gas or water etc.
Add the CO2 input anywhere else and it will create backpressure of some sort.
So if you add a 3/16" rigid tube into the reactor tube at the top and seal it good, then plug it with a removalable plug, then you can purge the reactor if you need to and always have positive suction by feeding the CO2 into the intake.
That's the way to do it.
I'll get the page for the DIY method up here, give me a few minutes
Regards,
Tom Barr
plantbrain
04-09-2003, 10:24 AM
http://www.aquaticscape.com/articles/co2reactor.htm
Avonlea,PA
04-09-2003, 5:05 PM
Originally posted by Turbo
Avonlea...I was in the assumption that the reactor goes on the OUT side of the filter...so the co2 would never go into the filter in the first place to cause the air pocket...what i meant by bottom was that it went in the bottom of the reactor instead of the top after the filter.
You know, I was laying in bed last night thinking about my post. I realized that I was a bit confused. :) I understand now.