DIY calcium reactor   3/21/11
Hi bob or... ;)
<Borge>
My tank is about 300gallon and system a bit more, 2-3 years old. 300watts ATS, and a small mce600 hob skimmer on the wall of the sump. Used to have a large Deltec 902 inline to the overflow, but that one was to <too> effective for my taste.
ATO with the Deltec Kalk mixer. Outside that I'm adding magnesium chloride and sodium bicarbonate. I started to feed a lot when I put the ATS online, and things started to grow faster.
<To be expected>
I feed about half kg of frozen/dry food a month! And things are happening.
As of this last two months my numbers are decreasing and I needed to do something.
DIY CR seemed like a good idea. Now, getting to know the details of different reactor brands, I'm confused. Mostly because of the way different brands treat the co2. I decided to copy the 5th generation Deltec design, with some modification.
Breakdown:
Feed pump from sump, over the reactor lid, and into the top of the inlet of the resirc pump.
(this let's the feed pump fill the inlet pipe immediately after a power out) good feature.
Co2 is delivered from the usual equipment to the resirc pump outlet.
(here is the second Deltec feature, this will not hinder the suction side of the resirc pump)
Resirc pump outlet goes through the bottom sidewall.
Water flows to the top together with gas, whatever gas, and water flow out through a knob into the second reactor
(third Deltec feature and a part of my rub. This thing let's one run the reactor, empty it fill it open it, anything without ever having to burp out any gas that is not co2.)
I made space for a second, smaller chamber outside my reactor, witch I could fill with dolomite or...
<Mmm, do experiment, with close supervision, per the brand/source>
For increasing ph, airing water, and adding magnesium, comments here?
<Might work for the latter... the solubility constant is going to be different and differential w/ time if you mix a mostly CaCO3 medium in the series>
Now the thing is, in the former generation Deltec bragged about the co2 reuse, and a lot of other brands use this still.
This recycle thing is just that the suction side of the resirc pump is flat against the lid and sucking up the surface water and any gas pockets that would be there, sending it back into the circuit. Other brands use a Venturi up there to do the same.
<Yes>
Now they added a bit of pipe on the inside, on the pump suction side, letting the gas go out the Tank return instead, witch is flat to the lid, letting to much co2 escape to atmosphere. I can see it as a plus taking out any snag on the water surface not resirculating it and wearing the pump, but a lot of gas could be escaping.
<Mmm, hopefully not "too much"... My usual advice here to add a CO2 monitor to the room>
I also read somewhere on WWM that this keeps the to much co2 from degrading the media to much or so I understood it.
<Mmm, no, not really. The media are degraded on purpose; is the process of these devices>
Height is 700mm plus diameter is 250mm. Resirc pump is 2300l/h.
<Okay... is there more to your message here? I am a fan of such reactors, DIY and well-designed and constructed commercial for large volumes, culture systems... Do you have a graphic of what you intend that you could send along? Bob Fenner>
Re: Diy calcium reactor  3/21/11
> Hi bob or... ;)
> <Borge>
> My tank is about 300gallon and system a bit more, 2-3 years old. 300watts
> ATS, and a small mce600 hob skimmer on the wall of the sump. Used to have a large Deltec 902 inline to the overflow, but that one was to <too> effective for my taste.
> ATO with the Deltec Kalk mixer. Outside that I'm adding magnesium chloride and sodium bicarbonate. I started to feed a lot when I put the ATS online, and things started to grow faster.
> <To be expected>
> I feed about half kg of frozen/dry food a month! And things are happening.
> As of this last two months my numbers are decreasing and I needed to do something.
> Diy CR seemed like a good idea. Now, getting to know the details of different reactor brands, I'm confused. Mostly because of the way different brands treat the co2. I decided to copy the 5th generation Deltec design, with some modification.
> Breakdown:
> Feed pump from sump, over the reactor lid, and into the top of the inlet of the resirc pump.
> (this let's the feed pump fill the inlet pipe immediately after a power out) good feature.
> Co2 is delivered from the usual equipment to the resirc pump outlet.
> (here is the second Deltec feature, this will not hinder the suction side of the resirc pump)
> Resirc pump outlet goes through the bottom sidewall.
> Water flows to the top together with gas, whatever gas, and water flow out through a knob into the second reactor
> (third Deltec feature and a part of my rub. This thing let's one run the reactor, empty it fill it open it, anything without ever having to burp out any gas that is not co2.)
> I made space for a second, smaller chamber outside my reactor, witch I could fill with dolomite or...
> <Mmm, do experiment, with close supervision, per the brand/source>
Yes, also, this second chamber is useful for measuring the effluent. Media is a very rough and coarse aragonite as in ARM I think. I got it for free from a friend, mixed with 10% magnesium pro. Now I've read quite a lot here and different people says different things, what do I look for? 6,5pH or higher, or is that just inside the reactor itself.
<<I'd measure the effluent pH, Ca and Mg concentrations (at the discharge)>>
> For increasing ph, airing water, and adding magnesium, comments here?
> <Might work for the latter... the solubility constant is going to be different and differential w/ time if you mix a mostly CaCO3 medium in the series>
> Now the thing is, in the former generation Deltec bragged about the co2 reuse, and a lot of other brands use this still.
> This recycle thing is just that the suction side of the resirc pump is flat against the lid and sucking up the surface water and any gas pockets that would be there, sending it back into the circuit. Other brands use a Venturi up there to do the same.
> <Yes>
Now, why is that, what is preferred, and what is best?
<<Likely standard practice, awareness of the manufacturers... and sales gimmick legacy. The word "Venturi" sells>>
> Now they added a bit of pipe on the inside, on the pump suction side, letting the gas go out the Tank return instead, witch is flat to the lid, letting to much co2 escape to atmosphere. I can see it as a plus taking out any snag on the water surface not resirculating it and wearing the pump, but a lot of gas could be escaping.
> <Mmm, hopefully not "too much"... My usual advice here to add a CO2 monitor to the room>
Yes, not too concerned by the excess co2 or the room witch is VERY ventilated, just wish I knew more about design decisions.
<<Mmm, there are real engineers to consult (I am not one), and standard (in-print) works, even a specialized one (out of print) on aquarium engineering>>
> I also read somewhere on wwm that this keeps the to much co2 from degrading the media to much or so I understood it.
> <Mmm, no, not really. The media are degraded on purpose; is the process of these devices>
Well, I meant something like excessive degrading and a acceleration, thereafter a blockage of thick water, feed pump reach maximum force, and co2 valve continues. Probably not an issue when probe is used, but I have trouble spending the $$ on stuff witch needs to be changed once a year.
<<Mmm, I am a BIG/HUGE fan of redundant/back up mechanisms, procedures... I WOULD buy/use a probe, shut off/s...>>
> Height is 700mm plus diameter is 250mm. Resirc pump is 2300l/h.
> <Okay... is there more to your message here? I am a fan of such reactors, DIY and well-designed and constructed commercial for large volumes, culture systems... Do you have a graphic of what you intend that you could send along? Bob Fenner>
No, just wanted some thoughts and ideas around this co2 subject, and ALWAYS ideas to what should have been.
<<Ah yes>>
>
I do have photos ;) nothing is written in stone and please do comment and ask.
Reactor itself and lid, missing bottom tube and bubble plate:
http://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_fruSxxZnZHU/TYPZrZEfx9I/AAAAAAAAAGc/
JCQUXCrvNik/s1024/1000000243.JPG
Bubble counter:
http://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_fruSxxZnZHU/TYPZsyQ3ZwI/AAAAAAAAAGg/
ZSniS6HrO9E/s1024/1000000244.JPG
Bubble plate:
http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_fruSxxZnZHU/TYVEZXdotJI/AAAAAAAAAG0/
Ha3SvFauvDk/s1024/1000000254.JPG
Flange with silicone seal:
http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_fruSxxZnZHU/TYVEa75G4LI/AAAAAAAAAG4/
kAhjfDbjxQQ/s1024/1000000255.JPG
<I see. BobF>

Calcium Reactor Secondary Chamber -- 02/05/10
I'm setting up a calcium reactor - one of the TMC V2 products - and think I understand all the principles and what I need to do.
<<Okay>>
It will be controlled by the monitor/controller from TMC. But I'd like to add a secondary chamber, having read lots about the pros for these.
<<Ah, I see'¦>>
TMC doesn't make one and the companies that do seem to be very expensive for what appears to be a transparent tube with an inlet/outlet at each end, merely being capable of taking them apart to put media in and cleaning.
<<Indeed'¦we share this view'¦and is why I DIY'd my own>>
Nowhere can I find any info about secondary chambers though. It seems this is an ideal and relatively simply thing to make, DIY, but I'm unclear on possible ways of use and installation. For example:
Is the flow best upwards, pushing out of the top to drip via a pipe into the sump, or downwards to drip directly?
<<I prefer an 'up-flow' design as I feel this has less of a tendency to get clogged>>
Is there any reason the chamber has to have a lid?
<<As in letting the effluent just 'overflow' the top of the vessel? Nope, I guess not then (assuming this 'second chamber' is sitting in the sump)>>
If standing part submerged inside the sump, the inlet at the bottom would just cause an overflow into the sump - or, just semi-submerge and open top (even a cut-off plastic drinks bottle) and drip the effluent into the open end and allow it to percolate through the media and into the sump. Any reason this latter won't work?
<<I suppose not>>
What is the normal design for a secondary calcium reactor chamber?
<<Designs vary a bit, but most are very similar to that of an up-flow media reactor like those used for iron-based Phosphate control media where the effluent enters and flows 'up' through the media'¦in fact, one of these could likely be easily adapted for just such the purpose discussed here>>
Thanks for any clues.
<<Happy to share'¦ Eric Russell>>
For the sake of completeness, because it's asked for (though I suspect it isn't entirely useful for this query) the aquarium is around 220 gallons (plus rock) split into two roughly equal parts: main tank and sump (yes, massive sump with a long story behind it - it sits in the garage underneath the display tank, with a weir input and pump return) with dKH fluctuating at present between 8.5 and 10 (which I hope will be more stable once the reactor is tuned in), calcium a bit high at 500 but stable and magnesium at 1400, these parameters being controlled by water change and manual addition of supplements .
Chris
<<Thanks for this info'¦ Cheers, EricR>>
Re: Calcium Reactor Secondary Chamber - 02/06/10
Thanks Eric - that's very helpful and much appreciated.
<<Glad you find it as such>>
I was partly concerned with some things I'd read that if the effluent was 'treated' in a secondary chamber to the extent that it regained an alkaline pH (i.e. the incoming, say, pH 6.5 was raised to pH 7.0 by interaction with the media in the second chamber) then it could cause early precipitation and negate any good that the whole kit was going to introduce.
<<Understandable'¦ Although a lowered pH, as in that induced by the introduction of CO2 to the reactor chamber, is required to 'extract' the desired bio-minerals from the media, it stays in solution and remains available to the system's inhabitants once the pH increases again'¦else all would simply fall out of solution at the point where the effluent enters the much higher pH water of the system>>
By the sounds of it, a positive flow upwards (or downwards) rather than a drip percolation through the submerged media is a better idea.
<<A positive-flow system will ensure better contact/use of the media I think, yes>>
Thanks again,
Chris
<<Always welcome'¦ EricR>>

Homemade Calcium Reactor 11/23/08
I've been trying to come up with a simple, cheap homemade calc reactor by searching your site and others.
<A very doable, worthwhile project.>
I had an idea for using an area of my sump to accomplish what a calc reactor would. When I built the system, I subdivided my sump (30L glass aquarium) creating an area for a refugium. I haven't been using it as such because I was lucky to get some live rock with brown macro-algae growing in my main display tank. It looks great and does a good job keeping nitrates (always test at 0) in check.
<Great.>
The refugium chamber has a deep sand bed and some live rock in it, no lights or macro, water circulated through off the main return pump. I have limited space, also driving my desire to utilize a portion of the sump for this purpose.
My idea is to do the following:
1) Greatly reduce the amount of water circulating through the refugium
chamber from the return pump
2) Replace the sand bed with reactor media
3) Pump CO2 into the reactor media through airstones
4) Use a powerhead to circulate water through the reactor media
My main concern is whether or not there will be adequate contact time and dispersion of the CO2 to make an impact.
<You will have trouble getting the ph consistently low enough. The chamber being open along with the powerhead will promote too much gas exchange, causing lower CO2 levels than needed. You will want a finer flow control also, something that can be measured/quantified.>
My tank is a lightly loaded 90 Gal. My calcium demands are low today, but will be increasing as I intend to continue adding corals to the tank. I have been using B-Ionic to supplement calcium. Curious what your thoughts are on this approach. Thanks as always for providing the wealth of information on your site and the opportunity to get specific answers to crazy ideas.
<Heee, welcome. Sometimes crazy ideas pay off big-time! Building you own reactor is fairly straightforward and worth doing. It sounds like you have been looking at the net for the plans, go for it!>
slkem
<Scott V.>

A Ca reactor second chamber  2/5/07  DIY add-on I am running an octopus Cr 100 recirc calcium reactor on my 600 litre heavy stocked predominantly SPS system. The reactor is rated for 100 litre system (really dunno why reactors are rated for system volume and not caco3 consumption rates, but that for another day). <Good> The reactor is barely keeping up with my demand for calcium. I recently  molded two gravel siphons into an add on chamber for my reactor. It has the effluent from my reactor entering through the bottom and after passing through the media, runs past my probe and drips into the sump. My alk reading of my effluent went up from 25dKH to 32dKH after doing this..... Not sure if its because of the new fresh media or increased contact time with aragonitic media. <Likely a bit of both> Should my pH controller be set at a slightly higher pH, as its situated in this passive reactor? <Mmm... no... I would leave as is> Will this second chamber increase my effluent (ultimately tank ) readings for Calcium? <I would not be at all surprised it did so... at least at first...> Would it be advisable to put a small recirculating pump on this chamber as well, as when i shook it tonight, i noticed a white powdery aragonite settlement at the bottom, which will surely be more beneficial in the tank than in the "reactor". <I would leave this be as well... the "dust" will either go into solution and be distributed, or not> Would really appreciate your input. Thanks for your advice IVAN <Welcome. Bob Fenner>

DIY calcium reactor   2/9/06 Hi Bob,   Love ya love your site.      I have a question about the DIY calcium reactor. Do you just use regular vinyl tube?   I see this CO2 "safe" tubing now.       http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=CO1515      Do you really need this? It is sort of expensive.      Thanks,   Ed <You can use such vinyl tubing (better the stuff made for carbon dioxide supply), but it will "stiffen" and have to be replaced more often. Perhaps every year or two. Bob Fenner>

- DIY Calcium Reactor Question - <Greetings, JasonC here...> I have made my magnum 350 into a calcium reactor by making a manifold out of pvc, to inject carbon dioxide, an outlet for effluent, and a dedicated pump for intake. Seems to be working well.  I have also put a passive reactor in the effluent line to rid the system of residual co2.  The system has been up and running for about a week.   I read your FAQ's, and it seems that people are getting really hard water out of their systems.  Does this take time? <Days...> My dKH is only 13. <A little on the low side, but not terrible to add to your tank.> The tank (full-blown reef) dKH is 7.  Calcium is 450 ppm, but so is the tank. <Ahh, the improved alkalinity will help, though.> I am dosing 25 bpm.  About 60 drips per minute. Effluent ph is 6.5 or so. <Be careful, you don't want the pH much lower than that.> Media is Korallith.  Do you think that the hardness will increase with time? <No... you need to look at how you might keep the water in the reactor a little longer. Most commercial reactors a recirculation devices, with the water in the reactor turned over several hundred times an hour. If your magnum is hooked up in the standard loop to your tank, you are likely not keeping the water in the reactor long enough to react with - hence the need for such a high rate of CO2.> I used to use Kalk exclusively, and am still dosing periodically, hoping the calcium reactor will catch up. <A couple of tweaks to the design and you will be fine.>  Any help is appreciated.  Thanks in advance. Mike <Cheers, J -- >
- Re: DIY Calcium Reactor Question - The magnum is not in the standard loop like it normally would be.  I simply took the output, and put it into a pvc loop, right back into the input.  A dedicated pump feeds the manifold. I have co2 going into the manifold, and a cinch valve for the output, also in the manifold. So, I can keep the water in the magnum for as long as I like. <Ahh, ok... makes sense.> What should the "targets" be? <You mean for pH and alkalinity out of the reactor? 6.7-6.8 pH and alk. in the 15-17 range would be perfect.> LFS says that 450 ppm calcium is great, you sound like it's a bad thing? <No, no... just that your alkalinity in the tank was a little low, but the calcium reactor will fix that in time.> A little confused, here. <No worries.> Thanks again Mike <Cheers, J -- >

DIY Calc reactor Greetings, Do you have a diagram or pic of the DIY calc reactor your club has been making. I am part of a club here in Michigan ( http://www.wmmac.org ) and would like to entertain the idea of doing this project with our club as well. I have examined the Sanjay's calc reactor design and was wondering how is it modified from that? Thanks A lot, Jason
Re: DIY Calc reactor There are some pictures on our club website... www.marineaquarist.org  Click on the tanks section of the photo album. Click on the CaRx DIY link. This is an older version of the design. Bob Fenner took some pictures of the newer version. They were on his website... www.wetwebmedia.com I could not find them. He may know where they are. <<They can be found here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/calcreactors.htm >> The main difference between the design pictured and Sanjay's design is that the recirc loop is inside the reaction chamber. The main differences between the design pictured and the current design are... All the water and C02 taps are 3/16 ridged air tubing taps. The water and air flow rates don't require anything bigger. They're simpler too. Just drill a clean 3/16 hole and friction fit a bit of ridged air tubing into it. You can put a little two part clear epoxy resin around them if you are concerned about leaks. The pump is the Rio 600 AV. This model has two venturis built in. One is attached to the CO2 tap. The other is attached to a tube that runs up into the cap to scavenge C02 gas that has collected there. There has been some concern that the flow rate stirs the media up. I put filter pads on either side of the media. Use clear tubing for the riser so you can see the CO2 being mixed in. Use a 4" cap instead of a 4" coupler for the bottom. It is simpler and works fine. <<Thanks for sharing - cheers, J -- >>

DIY Calcium Reactor? Quick Question, do you think that I can make a calcium reactor out of an old Magnum 350 canister filter by just using the canister for the media for crushed coral. <The media is unlikely to dissolve at normal aquarium pH's. That is why calcium reactor inject carbon dioxide, CO2, to create carbonic acid, low the pH inside the vessel, and dissolve the media.> Thank for your time and effort, Tim <You are welcome. -Steven Pro>

[SDMAS] Calcium Reactor Workshop Signup (Southern California)<Old> <Thanks much John. Will post on WWM. Hope to see you soon. Bob Fenner> CALCIUM REACTOR WORKSHOP Now is the time!! Please sign up for the workshop if you plan on building a reactor! On July 20 at John Foster's house in the Hollywood Hills, MASLAC and SCMAS will host a calcium reactor building workshop followed by a BBQ. You do not need to build a reactor to attend. You can feel free to be an observer or just come for the BBQ! One word of caution: If you do plan on building a reactor someday, DO IT NOW. We are getting great prices, there will be many people there to help those that want it, and we will have all the pieces cut and purchased for you. To do this on your own "someday" will likely be harder and cost more!! If you can't make the workshop but would like to make a reactor, sign up and pay so I can buy your parts and we will work out assembly at another time. I will only be buying the parts once. The Complete reactor (everything except CO2 tank and reg) will cost $110 (there maybe a slight refund if parts come in cheaper) (clear water filter cylinder $22, Mag 3 pump $40, misc. plumbing and supplies $48) Plus for those who need it: A special deal on the CO2 tank, regulator, solenoid and needle valve $154 (5lb tank $69, Regulator Combo $85) If you get both you have a complete setup ready to turn on when you get home!! Operating instructions will be included. To sign up: 1. E-mail me now drjohnf@att.net stating what you are buying, or that you will be an observer only. 2. By June 28th send me a check for the amount of your purchase. Send to: John Foster 2801 Pelham Place Los Angeles, CA 90068 Attn: Calcium Reactor Thanks, a map to my house is attached and a schematic of the completed reactor is attached. If you are using mapquest, it will show you the correct location but give you a terrible route from Beachwood Drive. Use my map from Beachwood to my house. John Foster

Yeast Calcium Reactor Hi Bob, I was still dreaming about my future calcium reactor when I stumbled across the idea of yeast as a C02 source. Do you have any experience with this kind of calcium reactor setup?  <Yes... actually a great deal...> I checked on a couple of the DIY sites, and it seems simple enough. However, some of the sites also posted horror stories of the yeast bottles exploding and turning homes into breweries! <Explosions are exceedingly rare... easy though to make, transfer alcohols> What do you think? If this is relatively safe and effective, I figure I could put together a DIY reactor for less than $150. Thanks in advance for the advice. <Worth experimenting with, but really, a bottled carbon dioxide system is what almost everyone wants, needs... much easier to control, use. Bob Fenner> Khoi

(DIY) Calcium Reactor Questions 1. If you over drive your calcium reactor does the excess calcium precipitate on the water surface or attach to everything like Kalkwasser drips? <Mmm, some calcium reactors, various feed stocks can be made to do this... but not practically> 2. What is the maximum saltwater can hold? <The maximum what? Calcium? Several hundred ppm.> 3. Does salinity (1.019) or water temperature (76-80) play a significant factor? <In saturation, introduction of biominerals (alkaline earth elements)? No, not "significant" in hobbyist/husbandry terms> In preparing for a larger main tank I have built a six foot tall calcium reactor.  <Six foot tall? Unnecessary. Was at a local marine club meeting a few days back just to give you an example. The owner had a 1,200 (twelve hundred) gallon system with a two foot high Knop unit...> Poured 50 pounds of Geo Marine in it then I pushed the affluent <Is it rich? Effluent likely> PH down into the 6.5s while maintaining a fair water flow. Within 24 hours I now have what feels like sandpaper grit accumulating on the water surface in the sump. Is this related? <Yes> Fish seem OK. Has anyone else felt this on the water surface? Sump is in the garage. Will this turn my plenum into cement? <Don't know about the latter... but you don't need, want this much feeder stock, this low a pH effluent... Experiment a while... perhaps on a non-living set-up. Bob Fenner> Thanks,
Steve Heathcote