DIY nano calcium reactor

[Cheapreef]

Just finished my Nano reactor yesterday, should have it hooked up on the weekend. Just wanted to post some pics of the finished product. The dimentions of the reaction chamber are 4.5" OD tube by 12" high, holds around 4lbs of media. Works the same as a Deltec, flows to the bottom then up through the media. It also has Co2 recirculation and a degassing chamber. If anyone would like i could post some picks of the assembling, messurments ect.

http://www.nacdsm.org/albums/album18/Picture_005.sized.jpg
http://www.nacdsm.org/albums/album18/Picture_006.sized.jpg
http://www.nacdsm.org/albums/album18/Picture_003.sized.jpg

Clinton

[scuba4ever]

Yes please do post the measurements and assembling pics, I have just finished putting my first full sized calcium reactor together...and now I am wondering what I am going to do with it...but if I could make a smaller version of it...that might work better....

[dattack]

What kind of pump are you using?

[Cheapreef]

I'll post the pics tonight when i get home. The pump i'm using is called Hydor rated at 185gph. I would have used a maxijet or similar but i had the pump kicking around already.:)

Clinton

[trueblood]

Nice Clinton.
I seen a few of your other DIYs and you do some good work.
CONGRATS :beer:

Jeff

[Cheapreef]

Here are the pics, i only spent a hour or two building it so it's not the best. The top flanges are just drilled though and nuts used on the bottom, if i were to do it again i would spend the extra time to drill/tap the bottom flang. It is suposed to be a quick scaled down knock off of this reactor.

http://www.deltecaquariumsolutions.com/images/large/co2poster.jpg

Top falnges, cut with a adjustable hole saw. Bottom cut the same.
http://www.nacdsm.org/albums/album18/Picture_103.sized.jpg

Main body put together, 12" high 4.5" O.D tube.
http://www.nacdsm.org/albums/album18/Picture_093.sized.jpg

Assembly for the out put of the pump.
http://www.nacdsm.org/albums/album18/Picture_121.sized.jpg

Assembly for the inout of the pump.
http://www.nacdsm.org/albums/album18/Picture_116.sized.jpg

Bottom half of the input, with bubble counter. Bubble counter madee from an old surface skimmer tube with oneway valve glued to the bottom.
http://www.nacdsm.org/albums/album18/Picture_124.sized.jpg

Center tube for the bottom feed. Made from 3/4" acrylic tube with a slip fitting on the bottom with cutouts for flow.
http://www.nacdsm.org/albums/album18/Picture_119.sized.jpg

Clinton

[Cheapreef]

This is the what i used for bottom to disperse the output flow. Found it at Rona, i think it's a floor/shower drain.(PVC)
http://www.nacdsm.org/albums/album18/Picture_101.sized.jpg
Bottom.
http://www.nacdsm.org/albums/album18/Picture_108.sized.jpg
Cut to fit in the 4.5" tube. I then drilled the center hole to fit the output tube trough form the bottom.
http://www.nacdsm.org/albums/album18/Picture_098.sized.jpg

If anyone wants a list of all that is needed and messurments i will post one.

Clinton

[bshumake]

please do. i'm just not getting it i guess.
Thanks

[aesop]

I've been thinking of building my own reactor this summer. On thing thats been on the back of my mind was a comment someone made about extruded acrylic tubes.

Basically the tube won't hold up to the co2, and it would eat away at it to the point where it would be structurally weak? any truth to that at all?

[Cheapreef]

Can't say for sure. But the last reactor i built, full size i used for a year and a half before i need to change the media. There was no indication of an erosion ect.

Clinton

[scuba4ever]

I am probably going to show my ignorance about this...but that white 1/4" tube on top leading back to the inlet...Is that the CO2 recirculation loop?...or am I just not getting it?

[Cheapreef]

Originally posted by scuba4ever
I am probably going to show my ignorance about this...but that white 1/4" tube on top leading back to the inlet...Is that the CO2 recirculation loop?...or am I just not getting it?

Yep that's what it is, i've added a valve inbetween to controll the recirculation and for the first fill. I was gone all long weekend so i'll be hooking it u tonight. I'll keep you guys posted.

Clinton

[scuba4ever]

That is a really nice design...and I like the way the top flange is constructed, did you use a o-ring on it?...and how did you make the bubble counter...that is too cool...

[scuba4ever]

Yeah do keep me posted...I am definitely interested in building one of those....