pls recomend a reactor...

**zhuzhu** · 14th Mar 2005, 14:32

hihi.. can anyone recomend a reactor for a 4ft tank?

**Simon** · 14th Mar 2005, 15:12

[quote:4152352a73="zhuzhu"]hihi.. can anyone recomend a reactor for a 4ft tank?[/quote:4152352a73]

any preferences? internal/external? big/small? what filter you using

**zhuzhu** · 14th Mar 2005, 18:05

I would like to get a internal reactor.

**Simon** · 14th Mar 2005, 19:26

[quote:adfed8bd88="zhuzhu"]I would like to get a internal reactor.[/quote:adfed8bd88]

ok, your choice ranges from the china made 'green' reactor, dennerle cyclo, bioplast and dupla internal reactor.

**zhuzhu** · 14th Mar 2005, 20:55

i have one "UP" Brand. but it cant increase my CO2 output. juz wondering if my CO2 reactor is lousy...

**Simon** · 14th Mar 2005, 22:00

[quote:8df636

f1="zhuzhu"]i have one "UP" Brand. but it cant increase my CO2 output. juz wondering if my CO2 reactor is lousy...[/quote:8df636

f1]

what seems to be the problem? what co2 system you using?

**zhuzhu** · 14th Mar 2005, 22:30

CO2 tank, Solenoid, one internal reactor...
the CO2 test kit shows blue color... which is not enough CO2.
when i increase bps, the power head got airlock n the reactor output alot of big bubbles.

**Simon** · 14th Mar 2005, 23:09

[quote:9eabcaf945="zhuzhu"]CO2 tank, Solenoid, one internal reactor...
the CO2 test kit shows blue color... which is not enough CO2.
when i increase bps, the power head got airlock n the reactor output alot of big bubbles.[/quote:9eabcaf945]

are the balls spinning in the cylinder? perhaps the powerhead not strong enough?

**PeterGwee** · 15th Mar 2005, 00:03

Those green internal reactor stinks in my opinion. Poor response time is a big issue with those units. For a big tank like yours, you are better off using an external reactor (DIY or commerical).

For CO2 measurements, use pH/KH instead of those CO2 monitoring stuff that you stick in your tank.

Regards
Peter Gwee

**zhuzhu** · 15th Mar 2005, 10:15

yes the ball are spinning... btw how does the external reactor look like??
i only see shops selling internal.. where i can i get the external reactor.. n btw how much is it?? and also can u also suggest a brand or type?? tks

**cherabin** · 15th Mar 2005, 11:00

[quote:e6eee48a3d="zhuzhu"]yes the ball are spinning... btw how does the external reactor look like??
i only see shops selling internal.. where i can i get the external reactor.. n btw how much is it?? and also can u also suggest a brand or type?? tks[/quote:e6eee48a3d]

You can purchase the External Reactor DIYed by Chan from Nature. Pricewise, it wouldn't be appropiate to list it here so check it out when you are at the shop.

**Plantbrain** · 25th Mar 2005, 21:43

You can make one yourself for about 2-3$ plus ther cost of small powerhead.
These will better than any of those.

See:

http://www.barrreport.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=6

You may need to create a user name and password to view otherwise but that's it, it's free to see that.

Regards,
Tom Barr

**zhuzhu** · 30th Mar 2005, 18:42

okie... thks guys..

**wf7850** · 1st Apr 2005, 21:39

Originally Posted by zhuzhu

where i can i get the external reactor.. n btw how much is it?? and also can u also suggest a brand or type?? tks

It is tested and proven tt an External Reactor is the best way to ensure close to 100% dissolve rate for CO2, especially in tanks 4ft and above. However, I was put off by the size of it but finally bought mine last week from NA (as I have got a new tank with IOS so need to ensure maximum dissolve rate to compensate loss thru filteration).

As I do not have the luxury of a cabinet to hide the reactor, I spent couple of days planning and eventually managed to secure it so that it will not stick out like a sore thumb. You can see the external reactor in action in the link below to a recent post in AF.

Connecting an External Reactor

**Plantbrain** · 1st Apr 2005, 21:57

If you add bioballs to that canister, it will greatly increase the surface area=> increase the dissolving ability=> reduce the backpressure from the gas build up.

External reactors also have O2 gas build up each day, this reduces the amount of CO2 Gas due to back pressure.
O2 is not nearly as dissolveable as CO2 in water and builds up as the tank's O2 level go above 100%.

I have a solution similar the internal designs I designed a few years back for externals.

See Ghori's externals here also: a bit cheaper:
http://www.gwapa.org/articles/inline_co2_reactor/

Regards,
Tom Barr

www.BarrReport.com

**zhuzhu** · 1st Apr 2005, 23:03

I had bought PCV pipe and top and bottom covers but don't know where to start, like what size to drill....Also have difficulties in getting the tools. Where do your get your connectors that connect to water tubing?