Home made reactor

[mark]

Hi

Been having probs with my calc and alk the deltec p500 wasn't enough so after talking to Andy and Simon, decided to add another made my own this is what it looks like.http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/Reactor.JPG
I run the gas and water through this one then out of it into the deltec got a ph probe in the deltec so i know that if the ph is 6.4 in the deltec being second in the chain then it must be at least this in the homemade badboy http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif as well http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

the pump on it is a 1250 the pipe is 100mm wide and it's about 18" tall overall. i'm running Rowalith W in it and the p500.

Cheers

Mark.

[pavlo]

Looks great but I suggest you dont run it permanently on a newel post. It'll make a right mess when the kids slide down the bannister (If you dont have kids, youre welcome to mine).

Seriously though, I hope it works as good as it looks.

Paul

[simon garratt]

Hi Mark.

Looks really neat and tidy m8.......Any chance you coud post where you got the materials from/cost etc.?


Regards

Si.

[fishmuffin]

Looking good mate. How about some photos when you get it up and running - let us know how you get on with it.

[Andyb]

Fishmuffin be nice to know what fish shop you work in might call for a chat http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[fishmuffin]

AndyB - you have PM. http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Suk]

Hi Mark,
How you doin' m8? That reactor looks spot on, what are you getting out of the deltec now?
Those frags of yours are doing real good too, I'll have to put some pics up soon.
I've just added a second chamber to my pf500 consisting of an old fluidised bed filter. Just need to fill it with some media, prolly go for Geo marine. Hopefully this should give the ph a boost as well as the calc & alk.
Cheers
http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[BrianO]

Nice Job Mark !

As per Si G' request above.

Love to hear the specifics .



Thanks

Brian.

[Andy Hipkiss]

Seriously impressive .... now that sort of thing would make a really nice kalk reactor if made a couple of feet taller .... me me me http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif As per almost everyone else, more details please. (LOL ... I manage to make a polycarb bracket and now think I could build something as good as that ... reality check moment!http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[simon garratt]

Andy.

While your at it, I have a seaclone DIY Kalkstirrer, that i want giving a third life,,,,,,,Fancy converting it into an Aston Martin Vanquish for me?........ http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

I'll even donate a second paint stripping gun for the job of molding the bodywork.......... http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif


regards

Si. http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/xmas.gif

[mark]

Hi All

Thanks for the response. it has been in place now for a couple of weeks it has increased my effluent to 50ml a min on a 60 min dwell time.
I Got the Acrylic tube from www.hindleys.co.uk they sell it by the meter and the 100mm wide tubes cost £10.80 +vat got the sheets of acyrlic from there aswell. the pipe is 1/2 inlet and 5/8 outlet (PVC) to fit the 1250 pump there are two union joints so the pump can be removed and serviced.
To get the media into the reactor i've used a 1 1/2" union and cut a cicle of acrylic to block the end, drilled this and fitted a 1/4" to 7mm hose tale for the effluent outlet, it's at the highest point so any excess gas goes into the next reactor. There are also 2 1/4" to 7mm hosetales on the inlet side pipe work of the pump for the tank water and co2 inlets. the only problem is getting the flow throught it to stay constant. So i'm today going to try and build a peristaltic pump (I got the idea from Les http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif ) from a window screen washer pump and a dimmer switch. (got both these for free so thought 'What the hell i'll give it a go!")

The alk has risen in the tank to 8Dkh and is staying constant, when the flow through the reactor is constant.

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/Reactor.jpg

Suk glad to hear the frags are doing well http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif the ones you gave me are looking good to http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Cheers

Mark.

[les]

Hi Mark, Quote "and build a peristaltic pump (I got the idea from Les ) from a window screen washer pump and a dimmer switch. (got both these for free so thought 'What the hell i'll give it a go!" Thats' my boy. Not quite a peristaltic pump mate, but almost as good. http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif Just a little bit cheaper as well £7 as apposed to around £70 for a peristaltic pump. http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif you little DIYer you. http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rolleyes.gif Les http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/xmas.gif

[mark]

Hi Les

What dimmer switch are you using? the one i've got doesn't http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif (Proberly why i got given it http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/notify.gif )

I forgot to add that the pipe work for the reactor cost around £20. So the total cost to build it was about £80. but over half of this was the Eheim 1250.

Thinking of building a Kalk stirrer with the other half of the tube now http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Cheers

Mark.

[les]

Hi Mark, I just use a cheap 220/40v domestic all plastic lighting dimmer switch. Make sure you wire it on the mains side feed to the transformer not on the 12 volt side. http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/blush.gif Les

[mark]

Aaaahhhhhh that where i'm going wrong then http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif I've been putting it on the 12v side http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif
I was trying it on a transfromer that runs the fans on the cooling system i've made. I'll have to see if there's a car boot on tomorrow and get a scalextric transformer http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Anymore hint's for me Les http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/xmas.gif http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Cheers

Mark.

[les]

Hi Mark, Quote "Anymore hint's for me Les" Well that depends on how you intend to run your reactor. Are you going to run your tank water through it 24/7 on a constant drip? http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif Les

[mark]

Yes i was going to run it like that....... how do you run yours??

[les]

Mark. I run my Cal reactoir 24/7 but my Kalkwaser reactor on which I use the windscreen washer pump only during the night. I don't need a second pump on my calc reactor as the supply comes from my sump return pump. Les.

[wet weston]

Mark, out of intereset what does the hi tech Coke bottle do?

[les]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (wet weston @ Dec. 30 2002,23:55)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Mark, out of intereset what does the hi tech Coke bottle do?[/b][/quote]
Answers on a post card to Mr. D Saxby. My guess is that it is to catch the skimmate from a skimmer cup. http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif Les http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/devil.gif

[mark]

The high tech coke bottle collects the huge ammount http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif of skimmate from the highly efficent http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif Berlin Skimmer http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

I will be upgrading to a Deltec when i move house shortly and get a bigger tank.:D http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

By the way hindleys web isn't working at the mo don't know why if you do a google search it comes up with the web address but when you click on it, it dosen't work http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif

Cheers

Mark http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Doh]

bit late here, but very impressive m8, fancy building me one ? http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[mark]

bit late in replying

but i've got some tube left over if you want it? i'll give you a hand building it aswell if you want?

[Doh]

if your serious m8 i'd deffo be interestes, although i'm abit of a DIY numpty lol