Ohio Reef

Reef Discussion => Do It Yourself => Topic started by: cyberwollf on February 12, 2010, 20:37:52

Title: DIY media reactor?
Post by: cyberwollf on February 12, 2010, 20:37:52
How bad would a group DIY on square reactors be? Just cut some square sponge around pvc downpipes

I need some reactors too  ;D  just been to lazy to go make them...man I'm Cheap!
Title: DIY media reactor?
Post by: HUNGER on February 12, 2010, 20:41:37
that be cool
Title: DIY media reactor?
Post by: jd on February 12, 2010, 21:01:46
How bad would a group DIY on square reactors be? Just cut some square sponge around pvc downpipes

I need some reactors too  ;D  just been to lazy to go make them...man I'm Cheap!

Are you gonna get us some acrylic on Monday then? I sold my skimmer, gotta make a new one...
Title: DIY media reactor?
Post by: HUNGER on February 12, 2010, 21:14:53
wow u sold it  nice
Title: DIY media reactor?
Post by: cyberwollf on February 12, 2010, 21:27:38
Are you gonna get us some acrylic on Monday then? I sold my skimmer, gotta make a new one...

Who got it? Thats cool, I might sell this one once i get it up an running and make sure it works correctly.
Title: DIY media reactor?
Post by: jd on February 12, 2010, 21:41:27
Who got it? Thats cool, I might sell this one once i get it up an running and make sure it works correctly.

Creepranger wanted it. Its got a leak I've gotta fix still. I'm ready to make some media reactors, lets do this thing.
Title: Re: DIY media reactor?
Post by: Kenn on February 13, 2010, 00:25:56
Creepranger wanted it. Its got a leak I've gotta fix still. I'm ready to make some media reactors, lets do this thing.

My son needs two for his tank. So get this thread going !!  :laugh:
Title: Re: DIY media reactor?
Post by: jd on February 13, 2010, 00:51:24
My son needs two for his tank. So get this thread going !!  :laugh:

I'm going I'm going....  ;D
Title: Re: DIY media reactor?
Post by: jd on February 13, 2010, 02:26:32
I'm going I'm going....  ;D

Gone...

(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi667.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fvv32%2Fjdoolin%2F2.png&hash=387684725fdb160a28f18bf39ea4ad848943b2f3)

(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi667.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fvv32%2Fjdoolin%2F3.png&hash=eb5684b2a1444679dc2481db5246bc0156dffded)

You need...

4 x 2.5" by 10" 1/8" thick
2 x 3.6" by 3.75" 1/4" thick
1 x 2.5" by 2.75" 1/4" or 1/8" thick
1 x 2.25" by 2.5" 1/8" thick

8 thumbscrews
1 DIY gasket
2 CPVC barb fittings
2 DIY CPVC bulkheads
2 washers
Title: Re: DIY media reactor?
Post by: cyberwollf on February 13, 2010, 10:13:14
You got a link? I need some more info in the diy gasket. Hmm has to be an easyer way to seal the top. Let me think about it
Title: Re: DIY media reactor?
Post by: HUNGER on February 13, 2010, 10:31:05
wow thats good work  i mite want  one lol
Title: Re: DIY media reactor?
Post by: jd on February 13, 2010, 10:39:47
You got a link? I need some more info in the diy gasket. Hmm has to be an easyer way to seal the top. Let me think about it

No link, it drew that up last night. the gasket could just be a silicon mat cut to size. There are easier ways, but none that I can think of without custom machining.
Title: Re: DIY media reactor?
Post by: UDflyer00 on February 13, 2010, 10:51:53
That is looking pretty sweet... I was just flipping through the Dr Foster catalog looking at the reactors...  I was really wanting to start running some carbon...  Let me know if these come to be, I might be interested too!!
Title: Re: DIY media reactor?
Post by: UDJustin on February 13, 2010, 11:09:22
Just a thought u might want to put the down tube in the center of the reactor and then created a dispersion plate on the bottom of it so u will get a better dispearson of the water otherwise it may channel through the media... Just my thoughts
Title: Re: DIY media reactor?
Post by: jd on February 13, 2010, 11:21:25
Just a thought u might want to put the down tube in the center of the reactor and then created a dispersion plate on the bottom of it so u will get a better dispearson of the water otherwise it may channel through the media... Just my thoughts

I planned on running the down tube in the middle, but without having the pvc at hand, I'm not sure how big they are and if they will fit. There is a dispersion plate at the bottem. I just didn't draw any holes on it because it takes forever :)
Title: Re: DIY media reactor?
Post by: cyberwollf on February 13, 2010, 16:54:46
Here's my take on it.  Its a little simpler and probably cheaper (im lazy and cheap lol) Just a hole in a simple lid that is nearly the same size as pvc (doesnt need to be water tight).  Then a threaded barb in the side.  There not ganna be a ton of flow through these.  I just think makeing a water tight top with nylon screws is ganna be a nightmare

This is basicly the same exact design Mike used on the Diy Kalk reactors.  Simple and works

Where can we get large cell foam? I have a few chunks from my old aquaclear 75, but if we are making lots we'd need need a source.

I wasn't as bored as josh to draw it up in Sketchup.  :laugh: but i think the blue from the water contrasts nicely with the brown of the GFO tumbleing on a bed of foam :laugh:
Title: Re: DIY media reactor?
Post by: HUNGER on February 13, 2010, 20:07:05
looks like it would work
Title: Re: DIY media reactor?
Post by: cyberwollf on February 20, 2010, 19:51:18
BOOM!

(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi404.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fpp129%2Fcyberwollf%2F4c39b33c.jpg&hash=8c873c4b4154948dbf5f17e1ce42077a85cb9ae2)

(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi404.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fpp129%2Fcyberwollf%2F91d9661b.jpg&hash=c2b6945bef256065fdc29aa9c237daaf579e6886)

(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi404.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fpp129%2Fcyberwollf%2F404f97f3.jpg&hash=eb1591d301abb9bf4ded97cede6a149e6bd8774e)

(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi404.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fpp129%2Fcyberwollf%2F8d1c8262.jpg&hash=8099928cf5f305f2771fb97e55c7171f876737c4)
Title: Re: DIY media reactor?
Post by: lilleigh on February 20, 2010, 20:23:01
Vary cool! However, you have to consider the GFo tumbling out of the outlet. You need both of those dispersion plates and foam for a reason!

But cool regardless.
Title: Re: DIY media reactor?
Post by: cyberwollf on February 20, 2010, 20:27:00
Vary cool! However, you have to consider the GFo tumbling out of the outlet. You need both of those dispersion plates and foam for a reason!

But cool regardless.

Yea, i ran out of foam.  There will be some on top too.
Title: Re: DIY media reactor?
Post by: cyberwollf on February 20, 2010, 21:11:53
Dumb question, Does carbon or GFO float?

I just did  a little test and all my carbon was floating.... If it floats why would we want to try and create an upflow in the reactor?  It makes sense if the media is sitting on a sponge and tumbleing like i have seen GFO, but if carbon floats and is going to stay against the top sponge, there is no need to upflow it...

Maybe my carbon just needs to sit in water for awhile and absorb water so it sinks?
Title: Re: DIY media reactor?
Post by: Riderc82 on February 20, 2010, 21:23:53
The couple times I've ran carbon in a reactor almost all of it floated to the top sponge. 
Title: Re: DIY media reactor?
Post by: HUNGER on February 20, 2010, 21:24:47
do see y we couldnt
Title: Re: DIY media reactor?
Post by: jd on February 20, 2010, 21:36:59
Looks good Wes! I just added some fresh carbon to the frag tank and some of it does float until it get saturated.
Title: Re: DIY media reactor?
Post by: lilleigh on February 21, 2010, 00:20:52
Dumb question, Does carbon or GFO float?

I just did  a little test and all my carbon was floating.... If it floats why would we want to try and create an upflow in the reactor?  It makes sense if the media is sitting on a sponge and tumbleing like i have seen GFO, but if carbon floats and is going to stay against the top sponge, there is no need to upflow it...

Maybe my carbon just needs to sit in water for awhile and absorb water so it sinks?

It floats at first, GFO sinks like, well a rust ancor hehe.
Title: Re: DIY media reactor?
Post by: Kenn on February 21, 2010, 11:38:01
That looks really great.

where were you when I ordered my 2 media reactors ?  :laugh:
Title: Re: DIY media reactor?
Post by: cyberwollf on February 21, 2010, 13:53:04
Ok, aquaclear sponges aren't the best.  Im using BRS ROX 0.8 which is much smaller than the normal carbon I have seen.... I works its way THROUGH the sponge.

What do you think of using a smaller cell sponge, like cheap kitchen sponges? As long as its new and doesnt have any soap or anti mold stuff it should be good right?

Any other ideas? maybe wrap screen around the aquaclear sponge and use it like a french coffee press?
Title: Re: DIY media reactor?
Post by: cyberwollf on February 21, 2010, 19:08:31
Ok, its impossible to buy a regular kitchen sponge, Everything has the antimicrobial stuff on it.

And now i have about 1/2 a cup of carbon floating in my sump :angryfire any other ideas for a media separator?
Title: Re: DIY media reactor?
Post by: HUNGER on February 21, 2010, 19:18:42
maybe a net  cut apert ?
Title: Re: DIY media reactor?
Post by: jd on February 21, 2010, 22:13:55
Ok, its impossible to buy a regular kitchen sponge, Everything has the antimicrobial stuff on it.

You need to go to a cheaper store. I get cheap sponges at the dollar store without any of that stuff in them.
Title: Re: DIY media reactor?
Post by: Riderc82 on February 21, 2010, 22:22:06
Ok, its impossible to buy a regular kitchen sponge, Everything has the antimicrobial stuff on it.

And now i have about 1/2 a cup of carbon floating in my sump :angryfire any other ideas for a media separator?

It looks like you answered your own question...It sounds like it floats
Title: Re: DIY media reactor?
Post by: cyberwollf on February 21, 2010, 22:25:34
Well.... I was using one of the reactors to run some carbon after I dosed flatworm exit. The reactor fell over, shattered one of my brand new baffels in my new sump AND spilled a full pound of carbon in my sump. So I picked up the reactor and threw it completly across my basement where it shattered into pieces against the wall !!

So... Josh, can I get another piece of 1/8" :)
Title: Re: DIY media reactor?
Post by: cyberwollf on February 21, 2010, 22:26:53
You need to go to a cheaper store. I get cheap sponges at the dollar store without any of that stuff in them.

yea I need to get some of the kind for washing cars
Title: Re: DIY media reactor?
Post by: jd on February 21, 2010, 22:46:27
So... Josh, can I get another piece of 1/8" :)

I've got 2 or 3 more sheets that size in my trunk, did you notice any difference with it being anti-glare?
Title: Re: DIY media reactor?
Post by: cyberwollf on February 21, 2010, 22:48:35
I've got 2 or 3 more sheets that size in my trunk, did you notice any difference with it being anti-glare?

Looked like the normal stuff to me.
Title: Re: DIY media reactor?
Post by: jd on February 21, 2010, 22:50:27
Cool. Sorry to hear about it breaking...

Still think you should made it with a sealing lid ;)
Title: Re: DIY media reactor?
Post by: cyberwollf on February 21, 2010, 23:02:54
Cool. Sorry to hear about it breaking...

Yea its definitely not the bulletproof type :)
Title: Re: DIY media reactor?
Post by: jd on February 21, 2010, 23:13:45
Yea its definitely not the bulletproof type :)

Nor is is BAFFLE-proof!



*zinger*
Title: Re: DIY media reactor?
Post by: HUNGER on February 22, 2010, 08:18:26
man that sucks sorry to hear that
Title: Re: DIY media reactor?
Post by: UDJustin on February 22, 2010, 18:39:52
Nor is is BAFFLE-proof!



*zinger*

I like that Baffle-proof lol I wish I could have been there to see you throw it against the wall Wes
Title: Re: DIY media reactor?
Post by: cyberwollf on February 22, 2010, 18:56:08
I like that Baffle-proof lol I wish I could have been there to see you throw it against the wall Wes

You can come clean all the carbon up if you want to
Title: Re: DIY media reactor?
Post by: Coral Squad on February 23, 2010, 23:43:56
i got an idea....  pantie hose  or look for racing outerwere pre filters
for dust prevention works on fine dust when i was racing
Title: Re: DIY media reactor?
Post by: cyberwollf on February 24, 2010, 07:02:21
i got an idea....  pantie hose  or look for racing outerwere pre filters
for dust prevention works on fine dust when i was racing

panty hose does sound good. I'm ganna pick up some differnt sponge this weekend and if that doesn't work panty hose it is
Title: Re: DIY media reactor?
Post by: Joel on February 24, 2010, 07:25:12
Justin has some pantyhose he can loan you
Title: Re: DIY media reactor?
Post by: HUNGER on February 24, 2010, 08:12:01
Justin has some pantyhose he can loan you
that wa wrong but so funny
Title: Re: DIY media reactor?
Post by: UDJustin on February 24, 2010, 12:44:02
I got it from Joel when he was doing his drag show at masque downtown
Title: Re: DIY media reactor?
Post by: HUNGER on February 24, 2010, 16:17:17
so you got the hose from joel ? you both wair the same size  ;D