reator stand

[PGriff]

Ok thought I'd post my newly built reactors and stand.

If people are interested I can give out details, but it's pretty simple.

(left to right)
Cotton balls to filter the water
GFO to remove phosphates
Carbon to polish the water
Bio Pellets


3" top cap, bottom cap, adaptor, hose and sharkbite connector. All from Lowes.
clear Acrylic. https://www.estreetplastics.com/Plexiglass-Sheets-Clear-s/21.htm

If you have questions or comment feel free to share.

 

[Eagle_Steve]

Very nice. I am curious though, what are you using for the "screen" at the bottom of the reactor?

 

[PGriff]

Very nice. I am curious though, what are you using for the "screen" at the bottom of the reactor?

I bought some clear 1/8 inch acrylic and drilled the holes with my CNC router and that is black aquarium filter at the top and bottom in each one.

 

[Eagle_Steve]

I bought some clear 1/8 inch acrylic and drilled the holes with my CNC router and that is black aquarium filter at the top and bottom in each one.

Very nice.

 

[Billdogg]

Nice Job! You've obviously put some work into the product!

My only suggestions -

1. skip the cotton balls. They will need to be replaced on an almost daily basis to keep them from become fouled with detritus and then causing nutrient spikes (Nitrate and Phosphate) is it decays - no different from using filter socks or a canister filter.

2. GFO should only be used if needed. The goal with PO4 IS NOT a reading of zero. All living creatures require some PO4 for basic metabolic needs.

3. Carbon - I run it 24/7/365 and have for over 30 years now. Some will suggest that it can contribute to Hole-in-the-head (lateral line disease) especially with tangs. I've never had an issue that way and pretty much always have a tang in my system.

4. Biopellets - never really saw the need, especially if you have sufficient live rock somewhere in the system.

 

[caas1496]

Great design! What are the pieces you used for the top caps? I would like to build something like this myself.

 

[PGriff]

Nice Job! You've obviously put some work into the product!

My only suggestions -

1. skip the cotton balls. They will need to be replaced on an almost daily basis to keep them from become fouled with detritus and then causing nutrient spikes (Nitrate and Phosphate) is it decays - no different from using filter socks or a canister filter.

2. GFO should only be used if needed. The goal with PO4 IS NOT a reading of zero. All living creatures require some PO4 for basic metabolic needs.

3. Carbon - I run it 24/7/365 and have for over 30 years now. Some will suggest that it can contribute to Hole-in-the-head (lateral line disease) especially with tangs. I've never had an issue that way and pretty much always have a tang in my system.

4. Biopellets - never really saw the need, especially if you have sufficient live rock somewhere in the system.

Yeah, I'm kinda crazy when I start a project. lol I just hooked it up outside this morning running RO/DI water threw it testing for leaks and looking online on how to make a DIY skimmer. lol Been running for about 6 hrs. now and so far so good. I hear what you're saying about the cotton. I also have some of that white/blue filter screen. Do you think that would be better? I wanted some sort of mechanical filter in there to keep bigger particles out of it.

 

[PGriff]

Great design! What are the pieces you used for the top caps? I would like to build something like this myself.

Go into lowes or Home Depot/PVC department. If I recall, lowes calls that top an adapter. It's threaded on one side slip on the other. The bottoms are just called caps. Then the screw on lids. I used 3" diameter end caps and 3" acrylic pipe at about 10" long. They hold roughly just under a half gallon each. I haven't actually measured the water level but when I filled it today to do a test, I filled a 5 Gal bucket and it took about half of that once it was flowing.

SideNote: When I made mine the acrylic fit snug into the endcaps. I used a Dremel to open it up a bit to give it a tight fit. I also used PVC glue, It had a couple of small leaks so i used a little bead of silicone at the top of the caps against the acrylic. Worked fine.

 

[Jonathan Troutt]

Very nice! I love my biopellets. Only way i could get my nitrates to drop.

 

[Mastiffsrule]

That is nice, and I like the fittings. I recently plumbed my vertex reactor and thought about putting it outside the sump for more room. But I have no confidence it will not eventually leak. Your looks solid.

Only question I would have is flow rate. Would the 1/4 pex I think u used be enough flow, and enough for multiple reactiors in the chain? Just wondering, really like the set up.

 

[PGriff]

That is nice, and I like the fittings. I recently plumbed my vertex reactor and thought about putting it outside the sump for more room. But I have no confidence it will not eventually leak. Your looks solid.

Only question I would have is flow rate. Would the 1/4 pex I think u used be enough flow, and enough for multiple reactiors in the chain? Just wondering, really like the set up.

I can't really say how well it's going to work because I have only tested this afternoon. I actually set it up with 3/8 line. Right off the pump is a ball valve I have choked down. I'd guess it's running a Gal and a half or so right now. I really don't want it churning the carbon too much. I'll probably get it set in the next few days. I am also looking for a good DIY skimmer. I may hold off hooking up the reactors until I get the skimmer done. reason being I may use the same water pump and splice into it. I'm working out the details now. I'll try to post a couple of pics. when it's running.

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Cool, definitely something I could see in a cabinet as part of the system. And changing media looks really simple.

Follow

 

[Jonathan Troutt]

@Mastiffsrule

I plumbed my biopellet reactor outside my tank. Its actually sitting right next to my stand on the floor.

The reactors and such are so nicely made i have a hard time hiding it where it cannot be seen and admired!