DIY reactor help

[ben_manzella]

I just built a DIY external reactor which is about 20" long 2" PVC pipe with 11 bioballs inside. I am running my Magnum 350 through it and I am still seeing tiny bubbles coming out of the filter exhaust into the tank. Would it work better if I stuck a course filter sponge in there as well as the Bio Balls? Or do you guys have any other advice? I have tried moving it to different degrees to see if that helps but it really doesn't. I do have a considerable drop in PH but I have to keep my CO2 cranked up. I built the reactor to make more efficient use of the CO2 and save my filter. It seemed like I was getting better results going through the Magnum and not using the reactor. By the way the reactor is on the output side of the canister filter.

 

[fishyface]

how far up or down the reactor is your co2 intake? also can you adjust the flowrate with that filter? i found that if i slowed down my flow it would give more time for the c02 to dissolve. also, if it's shooting out the occasional bubbles i wouldn't worry too much, i believe it's quite common.

 

[djlen]

Give us some numbers......kH,pH. Number of bps it takes to get you to your desired CO2 level.
I don't know of too many reactors that return water completely free of some mist/fine bubbles.
IMO, it's much better to avoid running the gas through the filter if it can be done. Cannisters have a tendency to 'lock up' due to gas buildup and this can damage them.
The system you describe sounds like the most popular, currently being used by cannister owners.

Len

 

[ben_manzella]

The CO2 input is as far towards the top of the reactor as it can go. As for the water parameters The KH is 7.0 and the PH pre injection is 7.8 post injection 7.0 for a near perfect 21 ppm CO2. The water temperature is 80. I am using about 3 BPS CO2. I have hundreds of tiny bubbles stuck on the surface (I have zero surface agitation) they just kinda float around and evetually get sucked into the overflow for the wet/dry filter. Which by the way I set the drain so there is no waterfall effect and I have the wet dry filled so the water barely touches the bottom of the bioballs (they are elevated) So to the best of my ability I am trying to control the CO2 gasing off.

 

[fishyface]

The CO2 input is as far towards the top of the reactor as it can go.

there's always been mixed reaction to this but alot of people inject near the bottom, so you may want to try to invert your reactor. i've tried mine both ways and inject from the bottom. also, you never mentioned if you have flow control with your filter. i've found you can greatly improve how the co2 dissolves by slowing down your gph.

 

[ben_manzella]

I have quick disconects with ball valves so I used the ball valves to slow down the flow rate this seemed to help some.

 

[Mrditty]

The problem with using the canister for the reactor is that on most canisters the impeller is located at the top of the unit and if there is excess co2 the pump will air lock and run dry.

The impeller on the magnum is located on the bottom of the unit so this is not an issue.

If you were happy with it before go back to using the magnum I have for 2+ years with great results.

I pack the inteior unit with Bioballs and use the fiber filter on the center unit that is stuffed with more bioballs

I don’t even get fine bubbles coming out at 200 bubbles per min or so the problem with running a big tank you can’t count the bubbles.

remember if it an't brock don't fix it
and KISS

 

[ben_manzella]

Will the carbonic acid destroy the rubber washers in the magnum? The size of the tank shouldn't matter as long as you take a PH and KH reading you should be able to measure the CO2 level in the tank. Then you can adjust your bubbles accordingly.

 

[Timmain42]

If you can move the CO2 input to the bottom of the reactor, it should help. But mostly, I wouldn't worry about it. I've only seen one reactor that completely dissolved the CO2 before returning water to the tank, and that one is 2" by 36" high. Itty bitty bubbles are normal for most reactors.

And Manzella, CO2 won't do enough damage to the rubber seals to make them fail. No worries there.