Calcium reactor users I need your input

[Waterobert]

I wanted to buy GEO 612 or 618 but I don't have enough space in my cabinet. So I am about to make my own calcium reactor!
It is going to be 5.5" diameter and 15-16" tall. I am going to use Eheim 1048 pump. The reactors chamber is going to be about 10% greater then GEO 612. I am trying to fit everything in 8x11 foot print. Since it is going to be the best calcium reactor ever build I want to ask you guys few questions:

Should I include second chamber? Most calcium reactors have only one chamber. I have space for 3" diameter 12" tall. Will it be to small to make any impact on lowering PH and co2 content of the effluent?

I am going to use 1" diameter pipes, should I use larger diameter? Will pump circulate water more if I use 1.5" diameter?

I might install flow meter, if I can find it cheap. What range should I get? How much do you guys drip into your tanks? Would 1-100 ml per min range be ok? My system is only 120 gal, but in future I may double that LOL

If you have any suggestions about calcium reactors I want to hear it !!!

THANKS

 

[chadfarmer]

geo makes a smaller model than the 612

 

[Waterobert]

I think it is GEO 418. I don't want it since it doesn't have port for Ph probe. Also I want to build the largest chamber I can fit in my current stand. I am sure that in the future I will have larger tank. I am modeling my calcium reactor on GEO 612 so I can use it on 250-300 gallon system in the future.

 

[sirreal63]

If you are going to build your own CaRx...read this first.
http://reef.diesyst.com/crarticle/crarticle.htm

It will help you get the most out of it. Pay careful attention to "virtual height". To that article I would add this, the highest point in the reactor should not be the effluent, as CO2 will rise and any undissolved gas will blow out the effluent, not very efficient. Instead make a loop back to the input of the pump to recirculate that gas and you will increase the efficiency and decrease the gas usage. Such a little addition makes a huge difference yet only a few mfg's include it.

I would use a bigger pump than that 1048, I use a 1250 on a 3x12 cylinder. The other advantage of this is that gas recirc...a simple venturi will suck that gas back to the pump and run it through the system again if the pump is strong enough. I avg 14 months on a 5# cylinder and have got as much as 18 months out of it.

You can also add the ph probe port in the circulation line, it does not have to be in the body to work.

 

[tkeracer619]

I have space for 3" diameter 12" tall. Will it be to small to make any impact on lowering PH and co2 content of the effluent?

Yes, use a fine media like standard arm.

I would not use 1.5" pipe. Whatever the intake and output of the pump is fine.

The reactor is just for the most part plastic tubes. If you want the best reactor ever made then the feed pump and regulator are IME the most important.

My setup...
MRC CR-2 Dual Reactor.
Mag 3 recirc pump.
Aquariumplants.com electronic CO2 regulator.
Cole-Parmer Adjustable Peristaltic feed pump.
Reefkeeper 2 for ph monitoring and safety. It doesn't control the effluent ph with this setup. It only turns the regulator off should the ph dip below safe levels (hasn't happened in years afaik)
ARM Media

Rock solid stable on a 360 full of sps.

 

[Waterobert]

Thank you!
Jack, I already have Eheim 1048 and 1250 would probably be to big for the space I have to work with. I will try to make the best use of 1048 by having 1" pipes and fewer 90 deg corners then GEO 612.
Tkeracer619, I agree on Aquariumplants electronic regulator, IT IS THE BEST!
I will have second chamber, it will cost me about 25$ for extra acrylic so why not.I wonder why most manufacturers don't include one?
Yesterday I ordered Dwyer RMA-33 flow meter. Range is 10-100ml/min, hope that will be enough. Those things are cheap (40$ with shipping), the next size was 20-300ml/min and that I think is to much flow.
Let me know if I bought right one, Thanks.

 

[sirreal63]

The second chamber isn't really needed but can be helpful. The 1048 isn't very strong, I know, I used one on the old Korallin I used to have, swapping to the 1250 makes a lot of difference. The 1-100 ml should be adequate.

I am currently using an old MRC hang on that I got from Chadfarmer a long time ago. I redesigned it and it works brilliantly. The 1250 resides on it, replacing the Mag2 that was on it. Tke is right about the peristaltic pump for the effluent, it is the easiest and most hassle free way to do it, as well as the AP regulator.

Every CaRx on the market works, but some are more efficient than others. I have spent many years tweaking my equipment to obtain the most quiet and efficient setup I can. That may not be important to some people, and that is ok, but you can stand right next to my system, and hear nothing and it cost me less than 20 bucks a month to run it, and it isn't a bare bones setup, it is loaded with equipment. Careful planning will yield the best results and observing and listening to how others have tweaked their setup is extremely valuable, I credit the users of RC for that, it is where I learned.

 

[Waterobert]

Thanks Jack.

 

[Waterobert]

I have machined 90% of parts for my calcium reactor. Cutting acrylic is challenging, I had to make some parts twice due to the cracks.

 

[sirreal63]

My hats off to you, I don't have the time or patience to do acrylic work.

 

[Waterobert]

So far things look good, it should fit under my tank.

 

[reefereef]

i would add the second chamber, it wont hurt and will allow you to run the reactor harder down the road. I have built all my reactors and they run very very efficient.

also try and make it so you can remove the diffuser on the bottom, it may need cleaning down the road. i made a media reactor and the diffuser became clogged, had to break the tube off the base to clean it and redesign.

 

[Waterobert]

Point of no return, got some glue!

 

[Waterobert]

For next 24 hr all I can do is watch it dry, LOL. My first acrylic job is much harder that I thought. I am pretty sure that my main chamber will have a leak.

 

[Waterobert]

Gluing job is finally done!

 

[Waterobert]

Finally done!!!
To start I set pH at 7.20 and drip rate at 40ml. Few hours later effluent had alkalinity of 12 dKH. Tank water is 9dKH so even at 7.20ph media is dissolving. Bumped up bubble rate a tiny bit, pH went down to 7.14 alkalinity went up to 14.2 dKH. I can get surgical with that thing LOL

 

[Waterobert]

Yesterday befor going to bed made my last adjustment, bumped pressure by .2 PSI. This morning pH was 7.09 and effluent had 15.3 dKH alkalimity. I just love my Aquariumplants.com electronic CO2 regulator. Tested my tank and alkalinity stayed at 9.1dKH.

 

[moondoggy4]

Very nice, nice craftsmanship.

 

[Waterobert]

Thanks, spend a lot of time on it.