Calcium Reactor DIY Session

Brian Prestwood

Premium Member
Anyone interested in doing a calcium reactor DIY?

Three to five works best. I just don't have room for more than that in my garage.

The MARS calcium reactor is basically a Knopp S-IV knock off (we had it first).

We build the reactor chamber. The parts cost around $50. You'll still have to buy the CO2 regulator and cylinder. They cost around $250. You can add a CO2 controller for around $200.

FYI - The cheapest reactor chamber I found is from Coral Life. I don't know anything about the quality or design. It costs around $130. The Knopp S-IV reactor chamber is around $500.

Here's some pics from WetWebMedia...

MARS Calcium Reactor
 
Would this be overkill on a 29gal.... I've really been considering building one so that I can spend more than 8hrs away from my tank without haveing to go add 2pt...I'm up to adding about 120mL a day... if nothing else can I just come to watch?
 
I'd like to attend.
I have some Weld-On, applicators and homebrew if you'd like me to bring any/all to support the project.
 
Cool

Let's do it. It will take around six hours to complete the construction. We'll start at 10 am. The candidate dates are Sat or Sun...

11/11, 11/12, 11/18 or 11/19.

Everyone...

Duec22 - Tenative Builder
GoSlugsGo - Confirmed Builder
Fragmented - Confirmed Builder
Jlfnjlf - Confirmed Builder
LanDoctor - Confirmed Helper

We've got room for one or two more builders.

Please indicate all dates you can make so I can find a match.

Duec22 - yeah probably overkill. But, its up to you. It will eliminate the need to mess with calcium and buffer additives. Let me know if you are still interested.

GoSlugsGo - We don't use any Weldon. The home brew is always welcome. Power tools and beer, excellent!!!

Fragmented - Interesting design. Basically a variation of the Sanjay (AKA Knopp V1) reactor.

RasBobre - Too many people couldn't make it if we did it on a weekday. Bummer, I'd love to have you there. The more experienced DIYers the better. If you can make a weekend let me know even if we are booked up. We can always make room for an experienced hand.

Jlfnjlf - If its not too much trouble bring your protien skimmer so we can compare designs.

Disclaimer - I'm not a MARS board member and this isn't a MARS sanctioned event.
 
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Brian,

I'll bring the skimmer if it is not in use by then.

I need a Saturday unless you can push the start time to 1:00 on a Sunday, and I am expecting to have surgery on the 17th. looks like the 11th is my only option. If that does not work would you consider putting together a DIY kit?

John
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8391941#post8391941 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RasBobre
Count me in Brian if we could build them on a weekend day.

Those dates wouldn't work for me anyways Brian.

Going to Las Vegas to see The Who on the 10th and to Mexico the following weekend.
 
Brian deff. count me in for building one. I think I'll be needing it in a couple of months.. what size CO2 cylinders do you use with this. Either sunday would probably be best for me.

Edit just saw Johns need for the 11th...I should be able to do that.
 
Crap. I'm out of town on the 11th-12th. 18 or 19th for me. A change in time is fine, as long as I get home to watch SC vs. Kal at 5:00 on Sat!


Or, "If that does not work would you consider putting together a DIY kit?"
Thanks for putting this together.
 
So far all those dates work for me. I still have one thing that could end up on either weekend, but I won't know for a few weeks yet.

Since I have a long travel time, a later start (maybe 11) is better for me. Where are you located?
 
Lets push this out a little further to give everyone time to clear their calendar. Is Sat, December 2nd a problem for anyone?

John, if you can't make it you can have one of the extras.
 
That would be fine for me. Thanks for setting this up...this is one of the DIY projects I've always wanted to do..
 
Dec 2 is USC vs. the hated bruins of ucla, so I'd prefer Dec 3.
If Dec 2 is better for everybody, I can always tape the game.
 
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The 2nd of December would be great. My wife just reminded me I gave her 11/11, so I would not have been able to make it otherwise.

One of the extras... I think the best part is putting stuff together. If I can not make it would you consider putting together a box of parts?

John
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8397181#post8397181 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Brian Prestwood
Disclaimer - I'm not a MARS board member and this isn't a MARS sanctioned event.

Not sure what the results of the election nominations were, but I do know that Brian expressed an interest to me several weeks ago that he was interested in running for MARS President.

If this is still the case, this is the type of projects that you will see more of.

And...if there is still room, Dec. 2nd would work for me Brian. :)
 
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