DIY Phosphate Reactor

[btucker7587]

Made a small phosphate reactor out of a spaghetti container but decided I wanted one a little larger for my 150 gallon build I will be setting up this summer. So I decided to make it our of PVC this time instead kitchen storage containers.

So first off a bit of shopping...

The 10cm PVC ran about $5 and i can easily make two to three reactors out of it if i want to. The 1.5cm PVC was about $2 and can also make 2-3 reactors with it. The two 10cm and the 8cm lid were about $4. The 8cm lid will actually be the bottom plate to the reactor..but I am getting ahead of myself. Ball Valve - $3 and the various PVC connectors were another $7. Tubing was $4. So I am out between $25 and $30 on this build.

I didn't want to hard-pipe this into the system just in case I had to move it, so i went with an independent design i could relocate easily. I began with gluing the hose connectors to the input valve and the output arm.

Once done with that, I moved onto the reactor cap. Drilled a hole for the bulk head in the top center of the cap...

Inserted the top piece of the bulkhead and connected the two together.

 

[btucker7587]

Want to make sure we don't leak, so I got some 6mm tubing and fit it in around the inside of the lid.

Once I got it evenly inserted, I sealed it in place with epoxy.

Here is what it looks like with the epoxy dried.

Another shot of it with the lid on from the bottom....

Once the seal dried, I glued the input valve to the top of the bulkhead and the lid is complete. I did not glue the intake pipe that runs to the bottom of the reactor because I want it to separate at the top. It makes it a lot easier to access the Phos and anything else i put into the reactor without having to mess with the pipe, lid and plate all coming up at once.

 

[btucker7587]

I'll get into the plate and canister tomorrow. Have to get up early, so need to hit the rack...

 

[btucker7587]

The inner Plate Assembly

The inner Plate Assembly

I was worried about getting the inner plate assembly to fit properly, but by using another, smaller, PVC cap I was able to get a perfect fitting plate assembly built.

First drilled some small holes (stopped for time purposes, will have six more holes when complete.) and a large hole into the top of the lid. The large hole will be for the water entry into the reactor while the smaller holes will be to allow the water to fill the canister.

I used a PVC connector rather than a bulkhead on the plate. In order to secure it to the plate, I had to epoxy it.

Measured and glued the entry pipe to the connector. this allows for easier removal of the plate when switching media or cleaning.

The plate fits perfectly into the reactor housing.

The only downside to this particular reactor is visibility on the media inside the canister.

 

[j tavares]

Yeah I agree but probally clear acrylic tube would not be worth the time as cost would be much increased but Nice so far.

 

[btucker7587]

The water exit valve gave me a bit of an issue. I originally planned to use a bulk head with the fitting removed on the inside of the canister but then I would not be able to get the plate in and out of the canister fully.

So My solution to this was Epoxy...just seal the exit valve to the side of the case.


Here I used quick epoxy to hold it...

And then I sealed it completely up...

So now I have the parts, I just need to fit them all together and test it.

Will post results and if there were any issues.

 

[btucker7587]

Popped in two nylon filters from an Eheim 2211 canister filter refill.

One on the bottom...

and then one on top, just below the water return.

I will be using an Eheim 600 l/h variable pump to provide the flow.

The unit is tested and works great. even turned it upside down and no leaks...

Enjoy...and keep on reefing

 

[bdeibler]

This is really cool. I'm going to save this thread.

 

[Shaummy]

What kind of media are you planning to run? If it's GFO, how are you going to see if it's tumbling inside the reactor? Or is it something that doesn't need to be seen?

 

[btucker7587]

What kind of media are you planning to run? If it's GFO, how are you going to see if it's tumbling inside the reactor? Or is it something that doesn't need to be seen?

I did this to show a poor man's method for a reactor, however, you can either dremmel a window in the side or you can do a media capture method; with this method, set your pump at full speed and then use a net or something to catch the GFO as it gets pushed out and then adjust the flow real slow until the media stops flowing out of the reactor.

If you want, i can put a window in this reactor just to demonstrate, but won't be able to get to it until after the new year.

 

[Shaummy]

Cool...No need to do it...good ideas on how to deal with it. Nice DIY project!

 

[dukduk]

Good work

 

[liven learn]

Good idea man

 

[cjcolvin]

Looks like I've just added a project to my diy list. Great job.