Calcium reactor users I need your input

[Waterobert]

Calcium reactor users I need your input

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

 

[Piper27]

I added a small di chamber for my second chamber and it raised the ph so yea add a second it will help. I doubt you need bigger than 1" circulating plumbing but not familiar with the pump. And if you might upgrade I would build it as big as you can.

 

[gasman059]

procal makes a smaller version
minical that should fit and works flawlesly.

 

[Waterobert]

Thanks for your input.
Piper 27, I will add second chamber it will cost me only 25$ for extra acrylic so why not.

Gasman059, I want to build my own so I can have all the things I want for twice the price LOL. I am going to have flow meter on my reactor, second chamber and ph probe port.
How much effluent flow should I have? Up to 100ml/min or more? Thanks.

 

[Piper27]

That depends on your tank. Start slow and bump it up until you get the alk where you want it.