Ohio Reef
Reef Discussion => Do It Yourself => Topic started by: Reefinmike on January 10, 2007, 23:32:31
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this is what ive been working on for the past few weeks... slowley. i am glueing everything tomorrow and just waiting for the media to come in. i am going to be running it off a reefkeeper2 which i just got and have running on my tank(worth the money)
(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi77.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj55%2Freefinmike%2FDSC00428.jpg&hash=ea196fd7de73046afdbf4067dbff1682004ccb60)
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Very nice, may I ask what material you used...clear PVC or acrylic? Did you have the pieces cut for you? Also, have you cut rubber gaskets for the top pieces?
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If you don't mind, could you type up a detailed "how to" and email it to me? I'd like to add it to our DIY page.
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So how much do you have in it so far?
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Cool!
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has it been pressure tested?
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i have not glued it yet, it shouldnt need to be "pressure tested" as it will not be under pressure, i am controling the amount of water going through it off my main return pump rather than having a feed pump and a valve on the output.
ohioreefer, i will see what i can do for some diy pics, ill just take different pics with labels on each part and dirrections on how to do things
bigfalcon- it is thick walled extruded acrylic, i am looking for the rubber tomorrow, i hope i can find it at a craft store... i really dont know where to find rubber sheeting... i could ghetto rig it by letting a bead of silicon dry on one side lol
slandis, here is a price breakdown
acrylic tubing- $60
acrylic plate- $15
john guest fittings and valves- $25
nylon screws- $8
weldon 16 acrylic glue- $4
getting tube edges machined in a shop- $35
CO2 tank- $70 from www.beveragefactory.com
CO2 check valve- $20
10lb CO2 fillup $15
30lbs korallin media $60
eheim pump(free, had it laying around) originally $120
miluake Co2 regulator- $70
reefkeeper 2 with expansion socket and ph probe $370
so that puts me at $752 without the pump and $872 with the pump. it may seem like a lot(believe me, i feel it) but i know in the long run it will be an excellent addition because it will cost me about $30 a year to refil co2 and top off media, and its all automated "set it and forget it". i used a very good pump, good media, a good regulator and design that should be very efficent, and able to put out huge abounts of CA and CO3
by the way i have the tubing for two more of these reactors if anyone wants it... $60... not making any money on it, just my money back
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What are you using to join the acrylic? If you dont have any Weld on, I recommend you use that. It's extremely nice to work with and will usually leave a clean finish.
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boy, for a high you sure do have a lot of money to spend on your tanks
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Geer gas has a better price on Co2 and tank. They are in fairborn.
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bigfalcon- i am actually using elmers school glue.
no... im using weldon 16.
slandis- i got the co2 tank and controler for a christmas present, the pump i had laying around
joel- ooh well, i wont be needing CO2 probably for another year anyways.
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When you (or anyone ) need a refill or need a tank, try Geer Gas.
They are much cheaper than most the welds shops. They were literally 1/2 the price of Weiler welding.
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When you (or anyone ) need a refill or need a tank, try Geer Gas.
They are much cheaper than most the welds shops. They were literally 1/2 the price of Weiler welding.
Good to know. Thanks
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damn, $7 to fill up a 10lb tank ::)
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Mike, do you have any pictures of your DIY calcium reactor in operation? If so, how is it working out for you. You sure did spend a lot for this project, huh?
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Holy Sheeight!!!! $872.00?!!!!!
Here's a thought;
http://www.championlighting.com/product.php?productid=21026&cat=647&page=1 Tried & true for $267.75
& includes a pump
http://www.championlighting.com/product.php?productid=17305&cat=348&page=1 Includes bubble counter $89.99
http://www.championlighting.com/product.php?productid=17307&cat=350&page=1 15 lbs for $34.99
http://www.championlighting.com/product.php?productid=17451&cat=375&page=1 $189.00 and it includes the
probe & Calibration Solution,
the reef keeper does not
That totals $581.73 for a system ready to go with out the hassle of building it your self, no worries about if it is a good design, no worries about leaks, it has a warranty and it'll handle a system up to 500 gallons.
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OUCH! I never did the math! WOW!!!
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Hey Mike, keep us updated on your new DIY calcium reactor. Would like to see pictures of it in action....looks nice.
I am going with the GEO 618 Calcium Reactor from Phishy Business. It will do the job well (for aquariums up to 350 gallons) and GEO is known as one of the best. You could go with the next size up for really large aquariums for about $50 more. Total on that is about $350 + $392= $742
You would get:
GEO 618
1-10lbs Co2 Tank
•3-10lbs Gen-X media
•1-Maxi-Jet 1200 (or add the Eheim 1048 for $50 more)
•1-Reef Fanatic Co2 Regulator w/selenoid
•1-Milwaukee SMS122 pH controller
http://phishybusiness.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=18_160&products_id=23
http://phishybusiness.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=468
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I go to Huber Heights to a Fire Store they fill the tank for next to nothing, Got a large tank for $50. welding places just are to high and the CO2 is not as good, you really need to find food grade
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i finally completed the reactor and have it running today. for the area where my ph probe needs to go in the effluent and maybe an airstone, i took an old ro housing, took the top off, drilled and tapped a hole in the bottom and in the top, water enters the bottom where there is the ph probe and then exits the top and if need be i can throw an airstone in to get rid of extra CO2. it is driven by a 300gph quiet one pump which i must say is quiet. so far i am very happy with how its turning out.
(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi77.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj55%2Freefinmike%2FDSC00447.jpg&hash=09f9e595e814c67836f4b252c1237ea1506906e2)
(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi77.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj55%2Freefinmike%2FDSC00446.jpg&hash=bb5870180166ad3d6b6883351ea0905d9a550dd6)
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Wow that's some media now! :) Looks good. Keep us posted on how it does.
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Very nice!
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yes it sure is. it only took two gallons of media. i got ARM from marine solutions for only $18... cheaper than online!!!!!!!!! and i bought 3 because i was sure id use more than 2, but i can top it off for a while.
Wow that's some media now! :) Looks good. Keep us posted on how it does.
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Looks good, Mike! What products/devices are you using to monitor PH and calcium now that your reactor is up and running?
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typically a pH probe is used to control the amount of co2 in the reaction chamber. i myself have not hooked it up to my REEFKEEPER 2 by DIGITAL AQUATICS although i planned to originally. i have noticed that when you have a steady bubble count the pH will remain consistent. the hardest part of the reactor from what I've read and in my experience is tuning the reactor to your tanks calcium and carbonate intake but once its all set good, it seems it is fairly maintenance free. i have been toying with the idea of making a kalk reactor so that my pH will always stay where i want it. for now my probe lays on a bed of cheato in my sump next to his friend Mr chilli coral living a very unfulfilling and unproductive life.
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FYI, your mailbox is full ... can't respond to your PM unless you clear out your inbox. Your controller sounds nice.