$200, my day off, and my new diy calcium reactor!
 

Well after much debate and lots of reading on RC (thread after thread), I finally put together a calcium reactor today.

Here is my supply list:

[url=http://www.120gallonreefs.com][IMG]http://www.120gallonreefs.com/images/calciumreactor01.jpg[/IMG][/URL]


Milwakee Regulator $70 - Ebay
QuitOne 1200 pump $21 - Foster&Smith
ARM Reactor Media $16 - Champion Lighting
MaxiJet 1200 $20 - Champion Lighting
Reactor Chamber $55 - Lowes
John Guest Fittings $11 - Lowes
Assorted Hoses $3 - Lowes
Drill bit and Tap $13 - Lowes
PVC parts $3 - Lowes
Barb Fittings/clamps $3 - Lowes

CO2 tank $$Free$$ - Found in my father garage :)

The finished Product


[url=http://www.120gallonreefs.com][IMG]http://www.120gallonreefs.com/images/calciumreactor21.jpg[/IMG][/URL]


I started out by glueing my pvs 1/2" thread to 1" slip adapters to the 45 degree elbows that had 1" slip on one end and 1" male threads on the other.


[url=http://www.120gallonreefs.com][IMG]http://www.120gallonreefs.com/images/calciumreactor02.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
[url=http://www.120gallonreefs.com][IMG]http://www.120gallonreefs.com/images/calciumreactor09.jpg[/IMG][/URL]


Next I used a 7/16th drill bit to drill one hole in one elbow and 2 in the other. I took my tap and threaded the holes to fit the 1/4" John Guest fittings. Two of the fittings are 1/4 to 1/4 and the other is 1/4 to 3/8. The 3/8 fitting is to supply water from the sump. I used this since the 3/8 hose made a better fit to the Maxijet 1200.

[url=http://www.120gallonreefs.com][IMG]http://www.120gallonreefs.com/images/calciumreactor03.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
[url=http://www.120gallonreefs.com][IMG]http://www.120gallonreefs.com/images/calciumreactor10.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

To finish up the elbows. I attached the barb fittings to them. The barb fittings were 1/2 male thread to 5/8 barb.

[url=http://www.120gallonreefs.com][IMG]http://www.120gallonreefs.com/images/calciumreactor04.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
[url=http://www.120gallonreefs.com][IMG]http://www.120gallonreefs.com/images/calciumreactor11.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

I then moved on to cutting the pipe for the inside of the reactor. I made the pipe 10 1/2 inches long. I used my chop saw and put about 6 slits on each side of the pipe for the water to flow through the arm media. I also put a little rubber gasket at the bottom of the pipe to help make a better fit.


[url=http://www.120gallonreefs.com][IMG]http://www.120gallonreefs.com/images/calciumreactor12.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
[url=http://www.120gallonreefs.com][IMG]http://www.120gallonreefs.com/images/calciumreactor13.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
[url=http://www.120gallonreefs.com][IMG]http://www.120gallonreefs.com/images/calciumreactor15.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

I then put the pipe in place, add media and closed it up. It held about 5 lbs of media. I hooked up the hoses just to make sure everything was were it should be.


[url=http://www.120gallonreefs.com][IMG]http://www.120gallonreefs.com/images/calciumreactor16.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
[url=http://www.120gallonreefs.com][IMG]http://www.120gallonreefs.com/images/calciumreactor17.jpg[/IMG][/URL]


I then made my adapters for the pump. I used two more barb fitting (like the ones from above) and two 1/2" thread to thread couplings. I want together like this.

[url=http://www.120gallonreefs.com][IMG]http://www.120gallonreefs.com/images/calciumreactor18.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
[url=http://www.120gallonreefs.com][IMG]http://www.120gallonreefs.com/images/calciumreactor19.jpg[/IMG][/URL]


I finished up bu cutting some 5/8 ID hose to length. I put them into place and put a few hose clamps on to make sure there was no leaks.


[url=http://www.120gallonreefs.com][IMG]http://www.120gallonreefs.com/images/calciumreactor20.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
[url=http://www.120gallonreefs.com][IMG]http://www.120gallonreefs.com/images/calciumreactor22.jpg[/IMG][/URL]


After getting everthing up and running. I found out I have a bad selinode on the regulator. So I called milwakee and they are sending my a new one. Cant wait to get it.

Hope everyone enjoyes this.

This is AWESOME. I love it. I wonder if there is any more budget crunching we can do to make it even cheaper

If theres a will theres a way. Im sure if you look hard enough and be patient, you can find parts cheaper than what I paid for them.

This looks really cool. Keep us updated on how this performs

seems rather popular to get bad solenoid valves with the Milwaukee kit lately.

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Purple Haze [/i]
[B]seems rather popular to get bad solenoid valves with the Milwaukee kit lately. [/B][/QUOTE]

The guy there (Brian Moore) was really nice about the whole thing. He was going to put a new one out to me today in the mail. Im just disapointed that I didn't get it all up and running today.

BRAGGER!! = o )

Tasker is da man...saw it firsthand... it is great!
Great Job William...
You get an A+ for the day and a star next to your name!

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Picapet [/i]
[B]BRAGGER!! = o )

Tasker is da man...saw it firsthand... it is great!
Great Job William...
You get an A+ for the day and a star next to your name! [/B][/QUOTE]

To bad everyone doesn't have a neighbor like me. :)

<----- I like under your occupation where it says "seld employeed"

ABout time someone NOTICED... that is the cross between SELF and Seldom...
Seld Employed!
Means I am SELF employed... But Seldom do a dang thing!
Thanks for noticing!

Ok Thats it I'm building one of these.......Looks good

Really nice work... nice thing is you can make a seconed chamber really easy!!!

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by NwG [/i]
[B]Really nice work... nice thing is you can make a seconed chamber really easy!!! [/B][/QUOTE]

I have an old RO unit that I was planning on using for that. I just haven't put it together yet. Thats for my next day off with nothing to do.

This is the SHIZNIT -- Is the chamber a water filer canister? It looks kind bigger than most I have seen. Excellent Idea man!

quick question about the reactor chamber what was its origonal purpose that they were selling it at lowes for thanks in advance

The reactor chamber is in the water filtering department at lowes. Its made by wirlpool, and was orginally designed to be a whole house water fitler. It holds a little over a gallon of water. It was the biggest filter I have seen at any of the water / home improvement places.

Here you go.
[url=http://www.whirlpool.com/catalog/product.jsp?src=WHOLE%20HOUSE%20WATER%20PRE-FILTRATIO&categoryId=174&productId=489]link[/url]

Im searching to see how cheap I can find it online

i see you went for the filter, the big 1 i think it will work better how much was it i want 1 next day off lol

That's a great DIY, I love it.

I've been putting off a Ca reactor because I haven't had time to invest in learning acrylic. Now I have no excuse and therefore will finally have to make one.

[QUOTE][B]Milwakee Regulator $70 - Ebay
QuitOne 1200 pump $21 - Foster&Smith
ARM Reactor Media $16 - Champion Lighting
MaxiJet 1200 $20 - Champion Lighting
Reactor Chamber $55 - Lowes
John Guest Fittings $11 - Lowes
Assorted Hoses $3 - Lowes
Drill bit and Tap $13 - Lowes
PVC parts $3 - Lowes
Barb Fittings/clamps $3 - Lowes

CO2 tank $$Free$$ - Found in my father garage
[/B][/QUOTE]

You forgot to add "Finally having a CA reactor - Priceless!"

Great job. When ya get your solenoid, give us an update on performance.

Did you add a bubble counter?

I have one of those filters laying around my place somewhere but the housing is white so you can't see inside it. If someone wants to buy it off me, send me a PM.

ay updtae on the progress of this project? Rate of calcium etc?

House

how much ARM does it hold?

oops sorry i just saw 5lb

I just finished building one like yours! I got all the parts from sLowes. I was wondering if the housing is supposed to have a gasket for the lid? The only one they had left did not.

It took me about 2.5 Hrs. to build this thing. Your instructions are great and so is the concept! Great work!!

Thanks