DIY inline heater

Maybe add a another valve at the top to purge any air.
 
Maybe add a another valve at the top to purge any air.

That is in the original design forgot to add it to this one but it is part of the plan.
 
2 problems with the outlet at top that I see...

#1 Water movement slows since it has to fight the back pressure of pushing thru a larger column of water.

#2 Then the CO2 would go right up and out with very little chance to be assimilated into the water.

#1 - its a closed loop so the water would move the same speed in either direction

#2 - again, the contact time between CO2 and water will be the same as the water is moving the same speed regardless of the orientation of the middle path. If your canister is running and you pick the middle of the hose up high, the output speed doesn't change. That is because it is pulling water from one height and returning it to the same height - net-zero loss due to head height. the only losses in the system are due to static friction of canister, plumbing, and filter media.
 
Another easy way out: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3743+18444&pcatid=18444

I use this as my intake, since you HAVE to have an intake of some sort anyway, and then just run your CO2 into the intake of this heater. The caniser filter mashes up the CO2 and you get no airbubbles in the output.

25 to 35 dollars isn't too bad.

I have had that setup running for over a year and am REALLY happy with it.

PS - I realize this spoils some of the DIY aspects of the project, but on the positive side, you could DIY something else!!!:clap:

PPS - To fix the air bubble problem in your latest diagram, just turn the ENTIRE unit upside down. Make it a U shape with the input at the top, down over the heater, and back up to the outlet, then you don't have to worry about bubbles.
 
Man Bigwave you really know how to crush someones Mojo.....:hitting:

The u idea is somehthing to think about....

So what about laying the whole thing on its side?

heater4.jpg
 
I'm at work, so I can't make this fancy, but this is what I meant, it will push air bubbles out, if you are worried about that. (Turn the heater back right side up of course)

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wow havent posted in a while you might look into a Heyco Cordgrips (got this for free with there free samples) to hold the heater and still have the temp nob out of the water so you can adjust it. i build a inline heater/CO2 reactor using this and it worked pretty good.

here's a link to the plans i followed (sort of) i just added a tube in to inject CO2
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/diy/36257-diy-external-heater-56k.html

just think this might be a little bit simpler than what you guys have been talking about
 
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I'm at work, so I can't make this fancy, but this is what I meant, it will push air bubbles out, if you are worried about that. (Turn the heater back right side up of course)

View attachment 110081

I knew what you mean but then the sideways Idea hit me too.:grinyes:
 
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