Squared vs Round

[dannieboiz]

I see everyone having DIY plans for Calcium reactor or other chamber like reactor using tubes. The Tap-Plastics I go to have tons of nice size scrape acrylic sheets for .50 a pop about 12x10 sometimes 15x10 or so. I was thinking instread of buying the expensive tubes. Maybe I can buy a bunch of these scrap sheets and play with it. Maybe like a chamber thats 12x5x5 for maybe a phosban/carbon reactor. Maybe 2 chambers and daisy chain them together using a small Maxijet pump. It'll probably cost me $10 bucks to make.

Or maybe even make a calcium reactor chamber that's 15x6x6.

 

[spazz]

square is just as effecient as round is. just make sure to use thicker acrylic roe ca reactors because of the water pressure applied to them.
the only time i have see round is better is with skimmers. other wise square is fine for any type of media reactor.

 

[jmcbroom]

I have been trying to come up with a good reactor design also. A square reactor built from all the scrape acrylic I have laying aorund would be awesome, btu I can't figure out how to empty and refill a square reactor while maintaining water tightness.

So, you build a box that has a input and output, how on earth do you make something that will seal, but you can take off to refill?

 

[dannieboiz]

You should be able to use the rubber gaskets and cut it into squared shape to fit on top of the chamber. Galvanized wing nuts can probably be tighten better than the plastic ones. So I don't see why not. I figured for 2 dollars worth of acrylic I can build the entire chamber. LOL

BTW: Does anyone know where can I find info on DIY media reactor? Gotta figure out the plumbing etc...

 

[chrisd4421]

You should search the DIY forum for a thread started by DJ88. he has a huge thread on a DIY Ca reactor that is square with dual chambers. Great thread!!

HTH
Chris

 

[dannieboiz]

ok found it on melev's site.
http://www.melevsreef.com/dj88.html

 

[allstar.h2o]

TAP Plastics in S@&*%$*# is the best place for Scrap pieces of acrylic. Most pieces are even cell cast for 50 cents apiece cut perfectly square! Sounds good for a reactor though it would only be 12 inches tall.

 

[dannieboiz]

I can't seem to find S@&*%$*# anywhere on the map. You think I can google it? :eek2:

 

[allstar.h2o]

Ran the Google. It came up with somewhat blurry adult pictures of DIY acrylic projects.