REACTOR from Inter to External...

[limsteel]

After a night of wet floor, leaking reactor, mopping, drying, wife nagging. I finally converted my internal reactor to a external one... Check it out dudes



but which is the best place to install it? At the outlet or at the inlet??? I attached to the reactor to the cannister outlet, undisolved CO2 still bubbles out into the tank. I read somewhere stating CO2 pumped into the inlet is not efficient and damages impeller if enough quantity is injected (Cavitation, centrifugal pump common problem). I am also thinking... Bacteria need O2 to convert NH4 to NO2/3, will more CO2 kill some of them??? Also read the O2 & CO2 content is independent in water... []

too many info to digest, too many school of thoughts, can someone enlighten me...

[PeterGwee]

I don't see why an internal can sprung a leak if well fitted though...I sure feel you are at more risk of a leak if you do it externally...just make sure things are fitted properly and sealed where it should be.

Gas bubbles escaping from the reactor?
Sound like you have a bit too much of a bubble rate or too high a flow rate.

Reactor before or after the filter/pump?
Both methods work well...you can minimise back pressure on the CO2 line by attaching the CO2 line output at the suction point of the pump intake...the CO2 would get sucked in and react an stay at the top of the reactor before the pump...as long as things are properly controlled, bubbles should not enter the filter. By placing the reactor after the filter/pump means you are subjecting the CO2 line to a certain amount of back pressure which requires you to install a check-valve or else once you off the CO2, back siphoning action would take place. There is also a problem of a drop in flow rate if you place the reactor at the filter/pump outlet side.....
Its your wish though...I personally find both methods acceptable...I am doing it at the filer output side.

[apollo]

Hi Lim

Words of caution. Make sure the joints are properly sealed. Just experience wet floor last wk. One of the cap just broke loose.

Used silicon on them.Apparently not gd enuff. Hv redo them using aerodite which is very strong for plastic works.Hopefully it wont happen agn.

Stephen

[apollo]

Sorry lim,

based on your pic, better get 2 hose clips for your inlet and outlet.

they look DANGEROUS to me!

[Sleepy_lancs]

Might I add that with extra pressure.. its gonna burst (I've tried it). Wet floor!. If you have an extra 70 bucks to spare, go to NA and get the CO2 external reactor. I just got mine and I am proud to say its a perfect solution for me. My Ehiem 2028 runs at max now and 100% dissolved rate. I should add a big THANK YOU to sherchoo for informing me about this great product.

[limsteel]

Dude, if I have $70 to spare do you think I wanna go thru all that. hahhahha! anyway I tested using my household tap. I attached the unit to the tap, OPEN TAP MAX and block the outlet... for 1min++ HDB water pressure didn't burst the unit... thus should be quite safe.

I am now trying to cut down on spending trying to DIY as much as I can to reduce $$$ spent on Fishy... now I buy most of the stuff 2nd hand and even buying Dr Mallick's fert (Cheapo & Good)... []

after thinking about it, i may be getting hose clip to tighten the hose

[sherchoo]

Lim,
great job on the DIY. Positioning the reactor on the filter outlet would be better as cleaner water goes into the reactor. Also as you already know, you don't run the risk of gaseos CO2 going into the filter.

[limsteel]

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On 11/18/2003 10:00:14 PM

Lim,
great job on the DIY. Positioning the reactor on the filter outlet would be better as cleaner water goes into the reactor. Also as you already know, you don't run the risk of gaseos CO2 going into the filter.
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Mr sherchoo, I just converted an EXISTING Internal to an External Reactor... I wouldn't dare say that is a DIY.

For DIY, I am planing to assemble a small external filter using a Coke Bottle with my existing filter's power head... as the Internal filter in my Apisto tank is taking up too much space! have a some rock with no where to put... Stay tuned[]

[bobalston]

How about posting the components used and sources for buying them??

Bob

[Blue Whale]

[:] They come in $18, $16, $12 from the one u see in the pict to a smaller one. Its a CO2 dissolver. I am having the same one in my 3ft except that i put it as internal.

Well if u are worry about joints, get the white tape (the one they used in plumbing/water pipes) to go round the joints. after connection, circulate a few more rounds at the joint again. That should hold them in place.

Currently I piped two section. 1 section for air pump, 1 section for my Eheim 2026. The air pump comes as backup for the planted tank in case of high room temperature or too high on CO2 content in the water (Life saving) and also serving 2x2ft and 1x3ft tank. []

[sherchoo]

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On 11/19/2003 9:52:33 AM

Mr sherchoo, I just converted an EXISTING Internal to an External Reactor... I wouldn't dare say that is a DIY.

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LOL, ok... Good job on your modifcation!

[Blue Whale]

Sherwood, u still into guppies? My 20++ baby guppies just born either on Sun morning or Sat nite. : > Singapore breed, ballad guppies. 2 more pregnant ladies giving birth soon anytime.

[tawauboy]

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Well if u are worry about joints, get the white tape (the one they used in plumbing/water pipes) to go round the joints. after connection, circulate a few more rounds at the joint again. That should hold them in place.
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white teflon tape are meant as gap fillers to prevent seepage. they will not hold a pipe to a joint. if water pressure is great enough, the joint will pop. a hose clamp is the sure way to prevent a hose from popping out from a joint

[woodduck]

Saving of the diference of $50 may end up with flooding anytime.
I would rather DIY using those external commerical filter to have a peace of mind.

[limsteel]

Dude Commercial household tap filter is not cheap. It is also already an existing product, you can't DIY but only mod it. Anyway, I rather you don't DIY and just buy an Aquarium External Filter from NA.

Save the trouble and more economical.[]

[BFG]

Agree, get the external reactor from Nature. Plug and play. I am currently using 2 for the 2 planted tank that I have.

[sherchoo]

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On 11/20/2003 1:16:28 AM

Sherwood, u still into guppies? My 20++ baby guppies just born either on Sun morning or Sat nite. : > Singapore breed, ballad guppies. 2 more pregnant ladies giving birth soon anytime.
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I think you're referingto me right? If you are, I think you got the wrong guy cos I as never into guppies..... Anyway, congrats to you on your birth os the guppy frys.

[MdmBudak]

Agree, get the external reactor from Nature. Plug and play. I am currently using 2 for the 2 planted tank that I have.

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How much does it cost?

[BFG]

I got it for less than $70 each when I bought it nearly 2 years ago.