Show us your DIY Calcium Reactor

Pro_builder · 12-15-2003, 07:50 AM

We would like to see the DIY Ca Reactors (Calcium Reactor), with Pics and material lists and instructions, for others to get ideas from for there Ca reactor project.
TIA

ReefLady · 12-15-2003, 08:06 AM

Again, I'm sure we can offer pics & materials, instructions are a little harder. We used some instructions that are available on the net (will post more later), but tweaked this and changed that. I think I'll let this one fall into Openbrain's hands (okay, I'll post the pics) ...

openbrain · 12-15-2003, 08:35 AM

Well, here's a couple pics of our calcium reactor.

our calcium reactor page

I took a little of what I liked most from a lot of different designs and put this one together. There's a few things I'd do differently, but the design is a good one. If anyone would like more info or the do's and don'ts from me let me know.

johnlewis · 12-18-2003, 03:16 PM

Don I would like to know where you picked up the Co2 regulator ? I am looking reasonable price.

danny254 · 12-18-2003, 06:02 PM

I believe you can get co2 regulators at welding supply shops. I'm also in the process of making a calcium reactor. I will give you guys some pics when I'm done making it.

openbrain · 12-18-2003, 07:04 PM

Hey John, I got my co2 reg. from and old friend, he used to have a on line store a long time ago. I did find the same set up at here that doesn't seem to be a bad price, I didn't pay much less for mine. It's a little pricey but it's a set it and forget it unit, I've had no problems with it since I fired it up 14 months ago. hth.

MojosReef · 12-19-2003, 04:54 PM

Here is a link to a page on my web site for the Reactor that I built.

Calcium Reactor

johnlewis · 12-19-2003, 06:13 PM

Jeff I think I saw a thread on it before if I remember right you used the venturi to suck in the CO2 ? Do you have any dimensions on your reactor ? I only need to cover about 250 gallons

openbrain · 12-19-2003, 07:13 PM

Hello everyone, does anyone have a large build up of co2 at the top of their calcium reactor? If so what do you do with it?

StoneyReef · 12-19-2003, 10:42 PM

If you have a build up of CO2 you can put in a quick recirculation loop. Probably cost you about $15. Go to an autoparts store and buy a 1/4" NPT tap. Drill a hole in the top of the reactor and tap the threads. Then you simply screw in a hose barb, then put a T in your CO2 feed line, so that this line you just put in the top of the reactor joins the feed line. Automatic CO2 recirc loop.

StoneyReef · 12-19-2003, 10:44 PM

The taps are about $5 then a fitting for the top of the reactor is $1 and the T is $1 and a few feet of Tubing is $3 and then an airline check valve.

wooddood · 12-20-2003, 06:12 AM

you the man patrick,thanks.

Pro_builder · 12-22-2003, 11:52 AM

Thanks Patrick

big t · 12-26-2003, 09:19 PM

Nice reactors Mojo,

I am building the same exact one right now. I am currently just waiting for my gasket material to come in, and a little time to finish it up. I decided to do mine pretty much like you did, I will post some pics soon.

12-15-2003, 07:50 AM	#1 (permalink)
Pro_builder DIY Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Oxford, Iowa Posts: 1,746 View Gallery Karma Komment	Show us your DIY Calcium Reactor We would like to see the DIY Ca Reactors (Calcium Reactor), with Pics and material lists and instructions, for others to get ideas from for there Ca reactor project. TIA __________________ -Troy 180 gallon Reef, 3- 250 XM 15K MH Electronic ballast, 380 watts VHO Actinics, 2- 5 watt LED Moon lights, 100 gal rubbermaid sump, 75 gallon Fuge, ETSS 600 Skimmer, 4700-5400 gph pump for return, Octopus 3000 controller, Iwaki 40 RL skimmer pump, 2- 65w PC 10K fuge lights, 2 55 gallon barrels, Custom light oak stand and hood, misc pumps, extra 600 gallon rated tank size protein skimmer. Purple tang, yellow tang, pacific blue tang, 2 green chromis, 1 Sand sifting star, snails, hermit crabs, 2 mated perculas, pulsing Xenia, Anenome, mushrooms, ricordia, zoanthids, kenya tree 1 1/2" tall, misc other hitchhiker stuff. DIY is my dream... ...well OK the only way I can afford this Addiction!! Just as the light goes on in my head... ... I break the bulb!!

12-15-2003, 08:06 AM	#2 (permalink)
ReefLady Golden Moray Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 2,025 View Gallery Karma Komment	Again, I'm sure we can offer pics & materials, instructions are a little harder. We used some instructions that are available on the net (will post more later), but tweaked this and changed that. I think I'll let this one fall into Openbrain's hands (okay, I'll post the pics) ... __________________ ~ Teri -------- "You do not need a parachute to skydive. You only need a parachute to skydive twice."

12-15-2003, 08:35 AM	#3 (permalink)
openbrain Star Polyps Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 151 View Gallery Karma Komment	Well, here's a couple pics of our calcium reactor. our calcium reactor page I took a little of what I liked most from a lot of different designs and put this one together. There's a few things I'd do differently, but the design is a good one. If anyone would like more info or the do's and don'ts from me let me know. __________________ Don ---------- Then it comes to be that soothing light at the end of the tunnel, it's just a freight train coming your way

12-18-2003, 07:04 PM	#6 (permalink)
openbrain Star Polyps Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 151 View Gallery Karma Komment	Hey John, I got my co2 reg. from and old friend, he used to have a on line store a long time ago. I did find the same set up at here that doesn't seem to be a bad price, I didn't pay much less for mine. It's a little pricey but it's a set it and forget it unit, I've had no problems with it since I fired it up 14 months ago. hth. __________________ Don ---------- Then it comes to be that soothing light at the end of the tunnel, it's just a freight train coming your way Last edited by openbrain : 12-18-2003 at 08:21 PM.

12-19-2003, 04:54 PM	#7 (permalink)
MojosReef Limpet Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Millington, TN Posts: 142 View Gallery Karma Komment	Here is a link to a page on my web site for the Reactor that I built. Calcium Reactor __________________ Jeff http://www.mojosreef.com/files/Header3b.gif My 80g Tank My 20g Tank My other past time http://www.gifs.net/animate/fish08.gif

12-18-2003, 03:16 PM	#4 (permalink)
johnlewis Scopas Tang Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brighton, MI USA Posts: 448 View Gallery Karma Komment	Don I would like to know where you picked up the Co2 regulator ? I am looking reasonable price.

12-18-2003, 06:02 PM	#5 (permalink)
danny254 Midas Blenny Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Redding, northern CA Posts: 101 View Gallery Karma Komment	I believe you can get co2 regulators at welding supply shops. I'm also in the process of making a calcium reactor. I will give you guys some pics when I'm done making it.

12-19-2003, 06:13 PM	#8 (permalink)
johnlewis Scopas Tang Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brighton, MI USA Posts: 448 View Gallery Karma Komment	Jeff I think I saw a thread on it before if I remember right you used the venturi to suck in the CO2 ? Do you have any dimensions on your reactor ? I only need to cover about 250 gallons

12-19-2003, 07:13 PM	#9 (permalink)
openbrain Star Polyps Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 151 View Gallery Karma Komment	Hello everyone, does anyone have a large build up of co2 at the top of their calcium reactor? If so what do you do with it? __________________ Don ---------- Then it comes to be that soothing light at the end of the tunnel, it's just a freight train coming your way

12-19-2003, 10:42 PM	#10 (permalink)
StoneyReef No Longer a Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Minnesota Posts: 243 View Gallery Karma Komment	If you have a build up of CO2 you can put in a quick recirculation loop. Probably cost you about $15. Go to an autoparts store and buy a 1/4" NPT tap. Drill a hole in the top of the reactor and tap the threads. Then you simply screw in a hose barb, then put a T in your CO2 feed line, so that this line you just put in the top of the reactor joins the feed line. Automatic CO2 recirc loop.

12-19-2003, 10:44 PM	#11 (permalink)
StoneyReef No Longer a Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Minnesota Posts: 243 View Gallery Karma Komment	The taps are about $5 then a fitting for the top of the reactor is $1 and the T is $1 and a few feet of Tubing is $3 and then an airline check valve.

12-20-2003, 06:12 AM	#12 (permalink)
wooddood the wood dude Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: CARMEL. INDIANA Posts: 3,450 View Gallery Karma Komment	you the man patrick,thanks. __________________ 120 gal/in wall tank/starboard substraight/2 250 watt 10k xm metal halides/ 4 55watt 03 actinics/150lbs lr/scwd on return/scwd on a closed loop/aquaclear aquatics 200 pro wetdry w/skimmer. ask all the questions you have if we cant answer it we'll make up some thing. remember patience is the key to a kick ass reef. dave.

12-22-2003, 11:52 AM	#13 (permalink)
Pro_builder DIY Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Oxford, Iowa Posts: 1,746 View Gallery Karma Komment	Thanks Patrick __________________ -Troy 180 gallon Reef, 3- 250 XM 15K MH Electronic ballast, 380 watts VHO Actinics, 2- 5 watt LED Moon lights, 100 gal rubbermaid sump, 75 gallon Fuge, ETSS 600 Skimmer, 4700-5400 gph pump for return, Octopus 3000 controller, Iwaki 40 RL skimmer pump, 2- 65w PC 10K fuge lights, 2 55 gallon barrels, Custom light oak stand and hood, misc pumps, extra 600 gallon rated tank size protein skimmer. Purple tang, yellow tang, pacific blue tang, 2 green chromis, 1 Sand sifting star, snails, hermit crabs, 2 mated perculas, pulsing Xenia, Anenome, mushrooms, ricordia, zoanthids, kenya tree 1 1/2" tall, misc other hitchhiker stuff. DIY is my dream... ...well OK the only way I can afford this Addiction!! Just as the light goes on in my head... ... I break the bulb!!

12-26-2003, 09:19 PM	#14 (permalink)
big t Fire Coral Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Lakewood WA Posts: 77 View Gallery Karma Komment	Nice reactors Mojo, I am building the same exact one right now. I am currently just waiting for my gasket material to come in, and a little time to finish it up. I decided to do mine pretty much like you did, I will post some pics soon. __________________ Tom

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