DIY Multi-Media reactor

[jnarowe]

OK guys...I am working on my multi-media reactor and am stumped on one thing:

I cannot figure out how to keep excess CO2 from building up in the calcium chamber #1. If I am returning the recirc fluid into that chamber, it seems to me that it would try to rise and accumulate at the top. I am also toying with the idea of making both calcium chambers Up Flow.

I have considered making it just a single large calcium chamber, but I think I would have dispersion difficulties and the media basket would weigh a ton and be very difficult to handle. Total calcium volume will be in the 9 - 10 gal range.

So anyone have any suggestions?

 

[jnarowe]

Bump.

What, no one can give me any input on this project? Come on now, I know there are people that can contribute! Please???

 

[H20ENG]

Hi Jonathan,
On this combo reactor I did, I simply drilled and tapped a recirc fitting to the top plate, not too deep so it wouldnt build up too much. It works just fine. Is that what you were asking?

This reactor was simply 2 reactors (Ca on the left and Kalk on the right) built into the same housing to save space. They were not connected like yours seems to be.

HTH,
Chris

 

[jnarowe]

sort of, and thanks for responding!

I am looking to provide flow from the overflow to all the chambers and my concern is that CO2 will build up in the first chamber while being drawn off on the second. Potentially the first chamber could slowly fill with CO2.

Maybe it won't be a problem but I am considering drawing off the top of both chambers for the recirc loop and returning into the first chamber. Do you think that would work? Would having the recirc pump draw off two chambers present any problem?

Nice job on that one Chris. Any issues with it?

 

[H20ENG]

I dont think it'd be a problem, drawing off both. You could always add a JG valve to each to "trim" the flow from them.

Only issue is that its a beast to take down and clean / refill Easier to just stick with dedicated housings. You have to tear down both to get to one.
It did make it easy to build, plus, it looks really cool

 

[Qwiv]

I think you are trying to pull water from your tank, run it through carbon, then a CA reactor, then a PO4 media, is that correct? I would think you would be much better server by (3) seperate devices. Like H2Oeng said, you need to take the whole thing apart to service and you can't tune the devices seperatly. Plus, the thing is huge.

You can replace the carbon reactor with a short length of PCV with some end caps and feed it with some air line tubing T'd off your return pump. You can do the same thing with the PO4 media.

Maybe you have some goal or problem I am not understanding as I am kinda confused by your drawing. How are the chanmers connected, flow wise. As for the build-up of CO2, build it, and if you have a problem, tap the acrylic and install hose line to recirculate.

 

[jnarowe]

OK guys! Thanks for the feedback.

Chris: I am trying to create a real DIY multi-media reactor that saves space, costs less, and uses gravity to feed all chambers. My whole system runs off one Hammerhead and a manifold and that includes a gravity fed skimmer, sumps, and gravity feed bewteen the fuge and the display. It all runs off a simple manifold with technical input from Tiny Giants and Herbert T. Kornfeld. This results in about $70 electrical consumption monthly on about 1,200g reef with 3 1000W MH lamps.

No intention on lecturing anyone BTW, just trying to build a cost effective large tank solution.

This unit wil have one giant lid that can be removed and it will have perforated baskets for all media which can be removed for cleaning and replacement.

Chris, do you remove all the saw marks when you cement acrylic edges? I am using 1/2" extruded and while the saw marks are fairly light, I am currently filing them all off. Is that neccessary IYO??

Qwiv: Huge? :lol: This thing is about 1/4 the size of my skimmer, if even that!

The chambers are connected by baffles. So an upflow chamber has the following wall with a gap at the top, and the next chamber is down flow with the gap at the bottom. That's why I labeled the flow for each chamber and hoped that i would get some comment on that as well.

I am currently planning on building a riser for the recirc intake much like the top of a Schuran Jetstream so the CO2 will accumulate in a small chamber.

The devices will be tunable via bleed valves so I run inbound a 1" line off the overflow and then have 3/4" bleeds to allow most of the water to leave the chamber before the Ca media. These will drain into the sump below. The entire unit will sit on top of a sump.

Feeding carbon with airline tubing will not cut it for this size system. I will be running 1-2 gals. of carbon and changing it out somewhat often based on water quality.

Other considerations:

1. Maybe the chamber for the floss should be before the carbon? I am not planning on running floss all the time, and in fact may never use it, but the chamber can be useful for other things like sulphur or other media.

2. Should both Ca chambers be upflow?

 

[Qwiv]

Hmm, interesting. I hope it works, never seen or made anything like it.

To get the scratches out of the acrylic, hit it with a blow torch. It is really easy.

 

[jnarowe]

I use a torch but that won't take out saw marks very well. I may use a router or a jointer just to try and get my quality up.

 

[H20ENG]

Jonathan,

Man, you stole my super secret basket idea! What could be easier?

A few thoughts:
-If you run floss, I wonder how stable your flow will be through the reactor, since we all know floss will load up over time. It will affect everything downstream of it. Something to think about, or at least keep an eye on. Or build in a bypass so the floss flow is irrelevant to the rest of the reactors.
-You are sending your dirty(er) overflow water through the floss and carbon. Why not send it skimmed water, which will have better quality to begin with. I think your skimmer is ALMOST tall enough to do this Not sure it would make much difference, but in theory, the water is cleaner after the skimmer...

I've done a lot of extruded with just a good saw blade, because ithe glue melts it much easier than cast. If the saw marks are melted at all, you need to route it smooth. If you have some hash marks, but not at all deep, use a utility knife blade. Hold it at 90 deg, and pull it towards you, using it as a scraper. You have to keep it flat so as not to get your edge out of square. This is nice because it just barely takes a bite out of it, but will smooth it nicely. Plus the tiny shavings are good for thickening solvent for those little oops areas

 

[H20ENG]

Oh, and do NOT use a torch on extruded, period, especially before gluing.

Do it for fun, it makes that "cracked ice" look. One of the first skimmers I built years ago,came out sweet. ...Until I flame polished it, then used some Goof Off to clean any residue left over. The poor thing started crackling like popcorn and it was wrecked. Good for a sump model I guess... in a corner of a basement frag tank.... with the lights off

 

[jnarowe]

hmmm, I like the basket idea of course, but I need to source perforated plastic. So far I have found perforated PVC but it is very expensive for thickness that is stout enough to hold any weight. Any suggestions on where to get it?

I definitely understand what you are saying about the floss, although I don't know how to build a bypass. Maybe just allow flow to go by the floss?

-You are sending your dirty(er) overflow water through the floss and carbon. Why not send it skimmed water, which will have better quality to begin with. I think your skimmer is ALMOST tall enough to do this Not sure it would make much difference, but in theory, the water is cleaner after the skimmer...

Very interesting suggestion. That would keep the flow into the display at its current level rather than diverting flow to the reactor.

I have a couple of special files for acrylic that take it down like a plane and they work well. The utility knife trick is good. I will try it.
Oh, and do NOT use a torch on extruded, period, especially before gluing.

I thought using the torch after gluing was a no-no and that using it before was OK. I haven't had any problem with it crackling up on me, but I have had it bubble slightly which makes for not a very nice finish. Can you clarify the torch issue? I don't really like doing DIY projects unless they include using a torch! :lol:

 

[H20ENG]

...and large amounts of mind lubricant (Beer )

When you torch the edges, it puts major internal stresses on it. When you add glue or in my case Goof off, it weakens it just enough to let all those stresses pop. Try putting some alcohol on some extruded tubing.....

I have made baskets from gutter guard and pipe, or strips of plastic with different types of poly mesh epoxied or hot glued in place to form the basket.
I never had it craze simply from torching the edges, only after putting a solvent on it afterwards. This is with extruded, with cast, its a lot tougher, but from what I've heard, still a no no.
I have since resorted to the drill and rouge method, which is not near as fun!

 

[jnarowe]

Good to know. I used to clean my acrylic with alcohol until i noticed some problems with that. Now I just use some soapy water and rinse well. I am going to try and find 1/4" perforated acrylic or PVC to make my baskets but I'll keep your suggestions in mind. Thanks for your responses and help!

I have had some serious crazing when accidently dripping cement on some areas including dripping it down the side of my tank when cementing my overflow.

So you're saying I need to go back to micro mesh? Rats!!

 

[H20ENG]

Yeah, James has got me scared to use anything but water on my tanks

 

[jnarowe]

Thanks for the advice, and may I say you have some of the coolest stuff in your gallery??? I have probably already told you that but it's worth repeating.

 

[H20ENG]

Thanks! I'll have some more fun stuff to share shortly

Just got back from a nice long trip up through OR and WA. Absolutely beautiful country up there.

 

[jnarowe]

and you didn't come visit??? what'sa matta you?? I just went down to OMSI with my son and a buddy of his, and we stopped in on Steve Weast...let me say that was as cool as it gets!

 

[H20ENG]

I wish I had the time. It was a whirlwind camping trip, then a visit with WA friends and family.

I really wanted to stop in and visit with James at Envision, but just waved as we drove by on the way to the coast.

We stopped at the Newport aquarium. Lots of nice rockwork and decent exhibits, but almost everything I used to see at the aquarium I worked at.

We may find ourselves living up that way in a few years. Def. a lot of nice tanks in the area

Sooooo, hows the reactor working?

 

[jnarowe]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7958471#post7958471 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by H20ENG
I wish I had the time. It was a whirlwind camping trip, then a visit with WA friends and family. Sooooo, hows the reactor working?

What IS a "whirlwind camping trip"? I thought camping is supposed to be RELAXING!

Still don't have the chambers built. I spent an hour drilling a hole through a 2" piece of acrylic and got disgusted with myself. I also received a bunch of livestock today so I have to pay attention to that...