DIY 4" Kalk Reactor for the low budget

DIYguy · 04-01-2008, 05:26 AM

I just built a Kalk Reactor out of two cylindrical boxes of ZIP ties. They are clear and fit exactly in all the 4" pvc unions and end caps. Two boxes, one union, one slip endcap and one threaded endcap and I got a 30'' reactor (leak free too). Look for GB Electrical Assorted cable ties. I got mine for 6 bucks at lowe's, and used PVC primer and Cement to glue it. If anybody needs exact instructions as to how to build this, I can post them. Besides the pump, I found EVERYTHING at Lowe's. Pictures coming soon.

JoJo · 04-06-2008, 05:52 PM

lets see those pics, step by step instructions would be nice too.

framerguy · 04-06-2008, 05:57 PM

No fair! Stop teasing.. where are those pics?

Frankie · 04-06-2008, 06:15 PM

I don't believe you.

JoJo · 04-06-2008, 06:16 PM

Frankie, whats the problem

Frankie · 04-06-2008, 06:19 PM

The description makes no sense. First post. No pictures. Not even on the site anymore.

JoJo · 04-06-2008, 06:29 PM

good point, the description seemed kind of vague to me but i dont know about diy yet

slakker · 04-06-2008, 06:33 PM

I can envision what he's describing, but can't imagine it to be sturdy enough to be leak free over time... those canisters are pretty flimsy, barely stronger than a 2L pop bottle...

Frankie · 04-06-2008, 10:20 PM

Man slakker, i am really struggling with this one. I just can't see it. I need a picture!

Update, Ah ok! The canisters the zip ties come in! He is useing that for the tube.

All this talk about zip ties and such. I thought he was useing bags zip tied! LOL!
That wont last very long. Kalk stirrers are under pressure if in lined. Plus those canisters are not cast. they are seamed or extruded.
I wish you well though DIYguy! I like a dude willing to experiment.

sasquatch · 04-06-2008, 11:54 PM

Polyethylene Terephthalate or pet is the common plastic for containers, adhesives wont grab this stuff with any kind of strength so Im guessing a short life span

Varga · 04-07-2008, 01:06 AM

so much for "pictures comming soon"

slakker · 04-07-2008, 02:06 AM

I would still love to see the pics, I hope it's not too late and it's just pics of a big puddle... Just teasing ya DIYguy...

Frankie · 04-07-2008, 10:26 AM

I have a feeling DIYguy had a bad experience

tbittner · 04-07-2008, 11:32 AM

I've had plenty of those. Works GREAT for a day or two or three and then *BOOM*

I don't tell anyone about them though.

DIYguy · 04-10-2008, 05:03 PM

I know you have all been waiting for the pics, but here's why they are not up : The flimsy boxes cracked. YES when I assembled it I bent one of the cylinders, and now it's leaking. So I have ordered an acrylic tube and some weld-on #40 to make something more sturdy. It drives up the price an extra $30 ($40 including shipping, instead of $12 for the cheap boxes). Now I PROMISE I will take STEP BY STEP pictures this weekend, all the components and all the required tools and equipment. If I have time tonight I will take a picture of my (now leaking) cheap version

04-01-2008, 05:26 AM	#1 (permalink)
DIYguy Tunicate Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 24 View Gallery Karma Komment	DIY 4" Kalk Reactor for the low budget I just built a Kalk Reactor out of two cylindrical boxes of ZIP ties. They are clear and fit exactly in all the 4" pvc unions and end caps. Two boxes, one union, one slip endcap and one threaded endcap and I got a 30'' reactor (leak free too). Look for GB Electrical Assorted cable ties. I got mine for 6 bucks at lowe's, and used PVC primer and Cement to glue it. If anybody needs exact instructions as to how to build this, I can post them. Besides the pump, I found EVERYTHING at Lowe's. Pictures coming soon.

04-06-2008, 05:57 PM	#3 (permalink)
framerguy Manta Ray Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Mount Airy, Ga Posts: 3,660 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: DIY 4" Kalk Reactor for the low budget No fair! Stop teasing.. where are those pics? __________________ ___________________________________ Greg All time fav quote: "Now and then it's good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy."-Guillaume Apollinaire "Being happy can be as easy as deciding to be!"-Greg Kimsey (framerguy) Still Workin' on it! 375gDT built in wall, Gargantuan DIY Beckett Skimmer, 100g sump, Sequence Hammerhead closed loop, 75 gallon seagrass/mineral mud refugium, 55 gallon crushed coral/live rock refugium, 30 gallon DSB/ cheatomorpha refugium, algae turf scrubber, DIY calcium reactor, DIY kalkwasser mixer, DIY light system w/4x 250MH & 4x54w T5, etc, etc, etc... chronicles-akwareum

04-06-2008, 06:15 PM	#4 (permalink)
Frankie Angel Girl's Daddy Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: The End Of The World Posts: 8,562 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: DIY 4" Kalk Reactor for the low budget I don't believe you. __________________ If we ignore the environment maybe it will just go away....

04-06-2008, 06:19 PM	#6 (permalink)
Frankie Angel Girl's Daddy Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: The End Of The World Posts: 8,562 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: DIY 4" Kalk Reactor for the low budget The description makes no sense. First post. No pictures. Not even on the site anymore. __________________ If we ignore the environment maybe it will just go away....

04-06-2008, 06:33 PM	#8 (permalink)
slakker Cabbage Leather Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 377 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: DIY 4" Kalk Reactor for the low budget I can envision what he's describing, but can't imagine it to be sturdy enough to be leak free over time... those canisters are pretty flimsy, barely stronger than a 2L pop bottle...

04-06-2008, 10:20 PM	#9 (permalink)
Frankie Angel Girl's Daddy Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: The End Of The World Posts: 8,562 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: DIY 4" Kalk Reactor for the low budget Man slakker, i am really struggling with this one. I just can't see it. I need a picture! Update, Ah ok! The canisters the zip ties come in! He is useing that for the tube. All this talk about zip ties and such. I thought he was useing bags zip tied! LOL! That wont last very long. Kalk stirrers are under pressure if in lined. Plus those canisters are not cast. they are seamed or extruded. I wish you well though DIYguy! I like a dude willing to experiment. __________________ If we ignore the environment maybe it will just go away....

04-06-2008, 11:54 PM	#10 (permalink)
sasquatch Brunt of all Jokes~ Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: the very farthest west coast of canada Posts: 8,917 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: DIY 4" Kalk Reactor for the low budget Polyethylene Terephthalate or pet is the common plastic for containers, adhesives wont grab this stuff with any kind of strength so Im guessing a short life span __________________ castawayreefers.com

04-07-2008, 01:06 AM	#11 (permalink)
Varga Golden Moray Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 2,317 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: DIY 4" Kalk Reactor for the low budget so much for "pictures comming soon"

04-07-2008, 02:06 AM	#12 (permalink)
slakker Cabbage Leather Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 377 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: DIY 4" Kalk Reactor for the low budget I would still love to see the pics, I hope it's not too late and it's just pics of a big puddle... Just teasing ya DIYguy...

04-07-2008, 10:26 AM	#13 (permalink)
Frankie Angel Girl's Daddy Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: The End Of The World Posts: 8,562 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: DIY 4" Kalk Reactor for the low budget I have a feeling DIYguy had a bad experience __________________ If we ignore the environment maybe it will just go away....

04-07-2008, 11:32 AM	#14 (permalink)
tbittner Watch this Ma! Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern VA Posts: 5,562 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: DIY 4" Kalk Reactor for the low budget I've had plenty of those. Works GREAT for a day or two or three and then BOOM I don't tell anyone about them though. __________________ Terry 150g predator tank full of killers. Soon to be upgraded to a 360g. 450g reef 300g sump.

04-10-2008, 05:03 PM	#15 (permalink)
DIYguy Tunicate Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 24 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: DIY 4" Kalk Reactor for the low budget I know you have all been waiting for the pics, but here's why they are not up : The flimsy boxes cracked. YES when I assembled it I bent one of the cylinders, and now it's leaking. So I have ordered an acrylic tube and some weld-on #40 to make something more sturdy. It drives up the price an extra $30 ($40 including shipping, instead of $12 for the cheap boxes). Now I PROMISE I will take STEP BY STEP pictures this weekend, all the components and all the required tools and equipment. If I have time tonight I will take a picture of my (now leaking) cheap version

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