Questions on external reactor

[sacy]

Hi,

Can anyone tell me what is the best way to place the external reactor?

Is it before the inlet of a external filter or after the outlet of the filter?

I plan to DIY one as I'm now using the glass ceramic type and it's not good. Waste too much CO2. Pump like 6 bps or more to get 20plus ppm on a 2footer tank >.<

Thanks!

[michael lai]

Hi Sacy,
I usually do it after the outlet.

[mordrake]

after the outlet of the filter as the water would have been filtered to remove dirt particles from the water. your ext reactor will not get clogged with it.

[sacy]

i see . if i use a 1/2 meter pipe. will e flow rate reduce? my ext filter can pump up to 1000plus liter/hour.

[ehlim]

I too use a glass diffuser but find the CO2 dispersion wanting. Perhaps I should try an ext reactor. Any recommendation of a good brand/model?

[evolim83]

i see . if i use a 1/2 meter pipe. will e flow rate reduce? my ext filter can pump up to 1000plus liter/hour.

I believe many of us have it after the outlet of the filter.
Firstly the water is filtered and your reactor is less likely to to clogged!
Secondly, your cannister filter is less likely to air-locked!

Flow rate will be reduced if the pipe are not neatly laid!

Good luck with your tank!

[sacy]

thankz evolim83. i will take note.

do anyone know wat is the best length for e reactor to 100% mix the co2 with the water?

[tawauboy]

do you mean the length of piping to reactor?
for best results, keep them as short as possible and as few bends/kinks as possible.
the efficiency of the reactor in dissolving co2 depends largely on the flow rate.

[sacy]

i think i type wrong.
i mean e reactor is 1/2 meter long in length

[michael lai]

Dear Sacy,
Peronally, I don't think the length of your external reactor will have an effect on your Co2 mixture. But the current circling inside do, the stronger the better as it will break the Co2 bubble faster into smaller bubbles. Take a look at Mr Tom Barr's design for internal reactor, still 1 of the best around. Size doesn't really matter here, I'm still trying to upload a picture of this dymax turbo reactor I've been trying. @#$@% really good......

[solonavi]

Since it is the water circling in the reactor that matters, wun a longer tube allow more circulation?

Juz a tot.
JC

[michael lai]

Since it is the water circling in the reactor that matters, wun a longer tube allow more circulation?

Juz a tot.
JC

It's the water current, JC, not the water circling inside the cannister. They have only a small period of time inside so make good use of it...

IE: If the water current is slow, the Co2 just accumulate at the surface of the cannister. If its fast, you would prob see the bubble breaking the moment it enters the cannister. From my personal experience, I think that's most efficient way of mixing them. Btw, if water temperature is cold the dissolving rate is also faster and can absorb more Co2.

Hope the info helps..( wait for the posting of the reactor I was talking about, you'll get a better picture then. )

[solonavi]

Ic. Gd 2 know that colder water helps dissolve the CO2 bubble. Cos I'm going to hook up my chiller soon.

Cheers
JC

[sacy]

i see. thankz . going to do more reading. before doing wan.

[Justin]

Hi,

I'm using the regular green 6" internal reactor. I found that the CO2 dissovles better when the lights are off. During the day the CO2 in the reactor can build up to overflow levels. Overnight the CO2 in the reactor dissovles completely.This could be due to the higher temperatures during the day/lighted period and cooler temperatures overnight.

I am also trying to find a better solution. Possiblily an external one.

Filter: Ehiem 2224
CO2 : 5l Cylinder, 2bps
Cooling: 4XFans
Temperature: 26-28C
Lighting:2X36PL, 10hrs

[Johnc]

Err... you don't really need CO2 in the night unless your KH is very low and are trying to maintain your PH level. You may want to invest in a solenoid.

Also, putting the reactor after the canister mean that the canister motor will have to work harder resulting in more wear. Putting it before the inlet give you a higher rate of solvency. Airlock is very unlikely if your reactor is configured properly and your bps is not too high. I have no problem with dirt clotting because the water pressure flowing from the tank is actually quite high... washes all debris through. However, if you do not wish to have 100% solvency (plants do like minute CO2 bubbles), then put it after the outlet as near to the tank as possible.

/John

[evolim83]

Err... you don't really need CO2 in the night unless your KH is very low and are trying to maintain your PH level. You may want to invest in a solenoid.

Also, putting the reactor after the canister mean that the canister motor will have to work harder resulting in more wear. Putting it before the inlet give you a higher rate of solvency. Airlock is very unlikely if your reactor is configured properly and your bps is not too high. I have no problem with dirt clotting because the water pressure flowing from the tank is actually quite high... washes all debris through. However, if you do not wish to have 100% solvency (plants do like minute CO2 bubbles), then put it after the outlet as near to the tank as possible.

/John

Agreed with Bro Johnc that having the CO2 reactor on the inlet is better in dissolving CO2.
When the reactor is attached on the inlet, the cannister filter itself is also used as reactor, breaking the CO2 bubbles even smaller, thereby increasing the efficiency of difussing CO2.
In fact, there are products on the market that allows CO2 to be pumped into the cannister, using it as a reactor! (There is a thread in AF on this product, try a search on it)
http://www.arofanatics.com/forums/sh...hlight=reactor
However, the problem of airlock and clogged reactor exists!

[tawauboy]

Also, putting the reactor after the canister mean that the canister motor will have to work harder resulting in more wear. .................

/John

not a problem. similar situation as throttling the canister outlet valve. you'll notice that most, if not all, canister filter manufacturers advise throttling of outlet valve to control flow rate.

[tawauboy]

......
When the reactor is attached on the inlet, the cannister filter itself is also used as reactor, breaking the CO2 bubbles even smaller, thereby increasing the efficiency of difussing CO2.
In fact, there are products on the market that allows CO2 to be pumped into the cannister, using it as a reactor! ......
However, the problem of airlock and clogged reactor exists!

using canister filter as co2 reactor is not recommended due to possible airlock. not even ehiem encourages users to use their canisters as co2 reactors. they would be able to sell more products if they are able to make that claim.

[zenscape]

using canister filter as co2 reactor is not recommended due to possible airlock. not even ehiem encourages users to use their canisters as co2 reactors. they would be able to sell more products if they are able to make that claim.

I agree with Thomas. Air lock in canister is a serious thing and not just those situation in the green colour diffusor. I observe that when there is a slight airlock in canister, the impeller of the canister will hit hard at the cap and you will hear the loud rattling sound. Very soon, one of the components will break down.