Cliff, here's an update on your Ca reactor

calvin415 · #1 06/26/2007, 11:03 PM

Okay, the pics are not great, but at least you know where I'm at on it.

The bottom is 5" above the bottom so hopefully the pump will fit under it. If not it should be easy to plumb still. All that's left is to figure out a top for it, trim, polish and then plumb it.

Don't worry Scott, didn't forget you... I got your overflow box covers almost done. All the acrylic is cut, teeth are routed, and one corner on each of the boxes is welded. Just another set of welds and they will be ready to trim and polish.

You gonna post some pics of the Dentist office ever? I would really like to see that tank up and going... Last I saw it, it was covered in acrylic paper and I just finished polishing it! LOL

ReefJerk · #2 06/27/2007, 01:38 PM

Sweet!!! The Mag 5 should be here on Friday. I will get the neoprene tonight if I can make it to Underwater Connection before they close. Do you think it would be viable to cut a round hole in the top and use an o-ring? How do you think that would work as far as getting a good seal?

reefkoi · #3 06/27/2007, 01:59 PM

Cliff are you talking about an access to fill the unit? or does the top need to bolt on and you need a way to seal it?
If you are looking to just have a hole for filling the reactor with media and then re-sealing it I saw a cool idea where a guy uses a standard union and makes a plug in one side using a little piece of acrylic it was very slick and so cheap and easy.
Let me know, I can show you what I mean if thats what your after

calvin415 · #4 06/27/2007, 02:03 PM

I was planning on a square, but if you have an idea Chris, please post it.

ReefJerk · #5 06/27/2007, 03:43 PM

Yeah, Chris, post it up!

reefkoi · #6 06/27/2007, 04:21 PM

I don't know if i can explain it with a picture and my hackjob editing but here goes.
You use a 2" pvc union, cut off the side with the oring flush at the point where it necks down in size.
Cut a piece of clear acrylic roughly the size of the ID of the collar ring
glue the o-ring piece to the top of the reactor (I can't imagine the thing needs to be super duper strong I mean 1/4 psi is all you would generate maybe.
Thats it.
Here's a couple pics let me know if it makes sense. I saw it done on a kalk reactor a guy in denver made.
[IMG]

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calvin415 · #7 06/27/2007, 05:58 PM

Yeah, that would work for a refill, but if the sponge to keep the media from entering the pump ever needed replacement or fixing, it would be next to impossible to get in there... Cliff it's your call, it's your reactor... Just let me know, I hope to work on the top tonight.

-E

ReefJerk · #8 06/27/2007, 07:13 PM

Chris, I don't think the 2" opening would be big enough either. I want to be able to get in there to change the sponges and such easily. Especially, since it's a double sided chamber. Thanks for the suggestion though.

Eric, go ahead with what you feel is best. I need to get this fired up as soon as possible. I don't think I'm going to get to Underwater Connection tonight, either. I won't be free until about 8. Maybe, I can send my wife tomorrow during the day. Let me know if there's anything else you need me to get. Also, where do I get a CO2 bottle locally?

ReefJerk · #9 06/27/2007, 07:21 PM

dp

Huhhhhh · #10 06/27/2007, 08:18 PM

[QUOTE]Originally posted by ReefJerk
[B] oops, sent you a PM

calvin415 · #11 06/27/2007, 09:54 PM

I'll stick to the original plan then Cliff.

I changed the oil in the Bimmer tonight so I didn't get the top started yet. I'm still optimistic on using a wetsuit for a gasket, but if you say it will work, we'll go with it.

reefkoi · #12 06/27/2007, 11:20 PM

No I didn't mean for it to be the only access. I think the top needs to be bolted on, but this is a great way to add media.
With my reactor, I hate loosening all the nylon screws then dealing with minor leaks till the salt creep seals it all back up.
It's minor but when I saw one in action I thought it was cool to add.

calvin415 · #13 06/28/2007, 09:24 AM

Ahhh, yeah that would be a cool attachment so you don't have to crack it open to refill it. Not sure it would work too well on this one since the two sides are so close to one another, but definately a neat concept.

reefkoi · #14 06/28/2007, 07:09 PM

Yeah i think on a very large one maybe a 8-10" dia. it would be better that cracking 20 screws off to top the media off.
Anyway i have to add aragonite monthly to mine, she sucks down some calcium, probably the gigas taking most of it

I sure love the reactor though because my alk is rock solid at 9 and the calcium is rock steady at 420. I use prodibio so thats why I let the alk stay at 9 and don't want it any higher otherwise I probably would need to switch to the regular TM salt then it would be at 11 dkh.

reefkoi · #15 06/28/2007, 07:09 PM

dp

calvin415 · #16 06/28/2007, 08:58 PM

I'm sure we could mod yours if you wanted to Chris...

reefkoi · #17 06/28/2007, 09:29 PM

I'd love to but there is no room on top. I have to pull the ph probe out and insert a small funnel and dump it in. Otherwise pull all the plumbing and take off the top. It sucks because I'm really going through the media now that the ph controller is on.
I'll look at it closer and see if there is something we could mod.

aquaman2000 · #18 06/28/2007, 09:44 PM

Hey Eric,

Thank you again for bringing the overflow cover by. Top notch like always.

calvin415 · #19 06/28/2007, 11:47 PM

Chris, let me know if you think of anything... BTW, do you know where you can get the gromet to seal the pH probe?

No problem Scott, I'll let you know when the filter sock holder is done. BTW, how big or should I say small does it need to be and still hold 4 socks?

Huhhhhh · #20 06/29/2007, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by calvin415
BTW, do you know where you can get the gromet to seal the pH probe?

I just ordered a compression fitting from PM to hold my PH probe. It was $4.69 and got here in 2 days. $6 something with S&H

calvin415 · #21 06/29/2007, 10:16 AM

Sweet, thanks Tim!

Huhhhhh · #22 06/29/2007, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by calvin415
Sweet, thanks Tim!

No problem. I'm going to make a 1 1/2 PVC T and cap two of the ends and tap them for a 1/4 Jaco fitting for in and out water and the other end of the T I will reduce to a 3/4 Fpt to screw the compression fitting into. The lid on my Calcium Reactor is to small to tap a 3/4 pipe thread in so this will have to do for my PH controller.

calvin415 · #23 07/04/2007, 06:11 PM

Well Cliff, I have good news and terrible news...

The good news is that the neoprene should seal just fine. And that's also the terrible news... I hooked it up to the house water line to fill it and didn't turn it off in time...

The top was still sealed with the F****** side exploded! Guess I'll have to try again.

Looks good from here...

Here's the explosion...

reefkoi · #24 07/04/2007, 06:50 PM

Dude, that's crazy, but you know a house has between 45-75 p.s.i. at the tap so I can see it blowing apart.
The good thing is the neoprene holds !
I guess the test wasn't a total loss but that's a real bummer.

I'd just gob some silicone on it, I can't see Cliff being that particular

calvin415 · #25 07/04/2007, 07:08 PM

Yeah, house is 55 PSI where it was pushing in, I can't believe I didn't think about that and just let it end up pressurized.

As for the silicone idea, sorry Chris, not gonna try to pass this off. I don't build crap and certainly don't sell crap. I'll be rebuilding it possibly out of 1/2 inch this time, if I don't have enough 1/4 inch. Sorry Cliff, just got delayed another 3 or 4 working days. On the good side, we know the neoprene holds very well, and will work just fine... I'm so bummed though, I just got this baby finished, even all polished and I went and BLEW IT UP! I can't begin to describe how p!ssed I am right now. I'll keep you posted on the new one.