DIY Media Reactor (a few questions)

[Disciple882542]

I bought a few plumbing supplies last night for a DIY media reactor. I bought everything I need excluding the pump and media for $13.

The reactor is going to be about 15-18” tall and constructed of 3” PVC. The water will be introduced through the side of the reactor and directed to the bottom of the reactor via a PVC elbow. The PVC elbow directing the incoming water will direct the water towards the bottom of the reactor and be approximately 1” off the bottom.

I plan on using loose carbon in this reactor (no PO4 media). My plan is to have a type of cheap fluidized bed type reactor for carbon polishing the water.

I’ve got a few questions for you guys.

Question:

1. How much water flow should I run through the reactor?

I was thinking about using a Quiet One 3000 or Via Aqua 2600 pump. That would send about 700 gph through the reactor.

2. Does carbon tend to crumble like granular ferric oxide (GFO) when tumbled?

3. Any suggestions?

Thanks guys/gals for all your help.

God bless,
Chris

[Disciple882542]

I cut drilled, tapped and dry fit everything yesterday. I'll get a few pics up later.

With Via Aqua, Aqua C, TLF, Kent, etc. charging $40+ for one of these things I thought $13 w/o pump was pretty reasonable.

Is there a reason noone has DIY'd one of these things yet? Am I missing something?

God bless,
Chris

[goldenmean]

I wish I could give you some sage advice
but I am following along.
Looking forward to seeing your pics!

[sasquatch]

a couple of things, the carbon will flow back out the pump when it goes off unless you screen it, the pvc will work fine but you cant see what its doing inside,how much carbon are you planning to put in there? carbon likes to pack together so if the flow is to much it will end up at the output area

[Disciple882542]

Originally Posted by sasquatch

a couple of things, the carbon will flow back out the pump when it goes off unless you screen it, the pvc will work fine but you cant see what its doing inside,how much carbon are you planning to put in there? carbon likes to pack together so if the flow is to much it will end up at the output area

That's a great point sasquatch. Thanks!

I guess to alleviate any of the media moving outside of the reactor I could place the input the same heigth as the output so that no water/media would escape from the reactor when pump is shut down.

My hardware store sells 3" pvc for $.99/ft and by the foot as well so having to make another reactor body is very cheap!

Thanks for that!

God bless ya'll,
Chris

[Frankie]

So your basically wanting to make a phosban reactor?

[Disciple882542]

Originally Posted by Frankie

So your basically wanting to make a phosban reactor?

in a nutshell...yes but with a larger capacity. Also, this one will allow you to use a larger pump and run either internal/external. I don't like the silly little plastic elbows on the phosban reactor...they look like they could cause a flood very easily if used as a hob or remotely from your sump.

I changed the configuration around a little. The input/output are entering the reactor from the side of the reactor very near the top. The input however, has an elbow interrnally and a length of pipe that directs the water to the very bottom of the reactor. I know...I know...

THIS THREAD IS WORTHLESS WITHOUT PICS!


I've got everything dry fitted and plan on taking some pics soon.


Thanks guys and God bless,
Chris

[Origami2547]

I'd put a ball valve in line with your input to regulate flow. 700 gph seems rather high to be running through the reactor. GAC will break down if tumbled harshly in the same manner as GFO. Adjust your flow allowing just enough to "boil" the media but not to drive it to the top of the reactor.

Screen off the top and the bottom to keep the media in place. You may also want to put a little coarse filter sponge next to each screen as well. You can get plastic canvas at a craft or fabric store which makes for good screen material.

[CMG]

Originally Posted by Disciple882542

I cut drilled, tapped and dry fit everything yesterday. I'll get a few pics up later.

With Via Aqua, Aqua C, TLF, Kent, etc. charging $40+ for one of these things I thought $13 w/o pump was pretty reasonable.

Is there a reason noone has DIY'd one of these things yet? Am I missing something?

God bless,
Chris

This was done using a gatoraid bottle by someone on another forum. I plan on doing this one myself for phosphate removal, I alread have the gatoraid bottle. Instead of using a punp it uses water from the overflow going down into the sump, the flow is controlled using a ball valve:

Gatorade bottle = cheapest phosban reactor ever! - Nano-Reef.com Forums

[Disciple882542]

Originally Posted by CMG

This was done using a gatoraid bottle by someone on another forum. I plan on doing this one myself for phosphate removal, I alread have the gatoraid bottle. Instead of using a punp it uses water from the overflow going down into the sump, the flow is controlled using a ball valve:

Gatorade bottle = cheapest phosban reactor ever! - Nano-Reef.com Forums

My pvc version didn't work...HOWEVER...I made one out of an empty one of these from out last crawfish boil:



It works wonderfully and allows much more media than the gatoraid bottle. It's made the same way though. Thanks for the link CMG!

God bless,
Chris

[CMG]

Glad it worked out for you! I am using the gatoraid bottle version now for a few days ant it is fine for me, but my tank is only 40g so I dont need much media! hehe. Its much cheaper than a reactor and fun to build.