Ryan Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 A couple months ago I decided I wanted a calcium reactor for my 36g (mostly SPS) tank. I couldn't find one that would fit under my stand (that I liked), so I decided to make my own. Heres the outcome:SketchUp DesignConstruction:(Those are water drops from the leak test, not excess cement)Pump & PlumbingI added two schedule 80 unions between the plumbing and bulk heads in the final design.Bubble CounterEffluent Chamber/PH probe holder5lb Tank, Regulator, & ControllerSetup in sumpI am using the Gen-X CRM. The reactor holds roughly 5lbs of media.I have had the reactor setup and running for 2 weeks now. I thought all was working great, cause it was holding my Alk/Cal at 10-11 dKH & 440ppm according to my API tests. I just got my Salifert test kits on Sat and it tested out to 14 dKH and 610ppm CAL!?!?!?! I immediately shut the reactor down to let my Alk/Cal drop.I am testing my Alk/Cal daily. Im now at 11 dKH & 580ppm CAL... I will resume the reactor when things settle back down. Luckily I have not seen any negative effects on my corals!I am also testing a few valves on the effluent line. So far I have used a JG 1/4" ball valve, and SMS PVC needle valve. I dont like either of them, I get the effluent at the drip rate I want, and it cuts in half by the next day. I decided to try a pinch valve on the effluent line so I ordered a Flow Control Pinch Valve today:What do you guys think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smann Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 I would be concerned about the accuracy of the calcium test kit. I had one from salifert and when I had a similar reading I tried A Tunze test kit and got a more realistic 410. I would test the effuent for PH and Alk get it set then adjust the time you run it to maintain the dkh you want. I only run mine during the light cycle to help the ph drop. I still have a salifert test and if I try the same sample with both kits I quit the salifert after the whole syringe is gone with no color change Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 Nice DIY -- well done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishmanmike01 Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 What were the final dimensions of this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan Posted February 17, 2009 Author Share Posted February 17, 2009 The body of the reactor is 4.5"x4.5"x14.5" the pump and plumbing ad another 3" to the bottom of the reactor. The reactor does not sit on the bottom of my sump, it is hung in the corner by the 2 black "handles" on the sides. The pump hangs about 2" off the floor of my sump. Has anyone else had issues with the Salifert Calcium test kit! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrgreenthumb Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 I use salifert and have had no issues. Occasionally people do get bad test kits, i've heard, but never experienced it myself. Though I don't really know of a way to prove that one test kit, is more accurate than another, without buying multiple test kits, and even then how do you prove which is "more" accurate? I need a spectrum analyzer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wanareef Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 Looking really nice there, I like those hanger brackets. Are you using a "flat gasket" for a seal on the top? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan Posted February 18, 2009 Author Share Posted February 18, 2009 Looking really nice there' date=' I like those hanger brackets. Are you using a "flat gasket" for a seal on the top?[/quote'] I used a thick piece of rubber that I bought from A-Boy plumbing for the gasket. Its almost 1/8" think. Its very similar to thick pond liner. I cut it to the exact shape as the flange/lid of the reactor, then used a single hole paper hole punch to punch the holes in it for the nylon screws to go through. So far, its been 2+ weeks with no leaking. It probably has a lot to do with having a lot of clamping force from 12 nylon screws. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA2OR Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 sounds like great craftsmanship. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishmanmike01 Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 Why have an outside effluent chamber? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan Posted February 18, 2009 Author Share Posted February 18, 2009 I didnt want to place the PH probe in the reactor lid since the effluent isnt exiting out of the lid, it exiting out of the bottom end of the reactor which is under water... Its basically a fancy cup. I have seen a lot of people drip their effluent into a cup that their PH probe was sitting in... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chorse Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 That looks like a great reactor Ryan. When should I start sending orders your way? LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheClark Posted August 28, 2015 Share Posted August 28, 2015 Cool but very old diy calcium reactor thread Notice quite a few members have been around this long Sandmann, Andy, FishmanMike! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishmanmike01 Posted August 29, 2015 Share Posted August 29, 2015 Holy cow! Has it really been that long?!? Where does the time go? That's awesome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheClark Posted August 29, 2015 Share Posted August 29, 2015 Ya I still feel like the new kid when I read these posts from 2009 and you guys are experienced way back then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wanareef Posted August 29, 2015 Share Posted August 29, 2015 (edited) I can do you one better, I was around when the club first formed and Krux was the first president (if I remember right) and the forum was on the "Fish Tank" When the club left the Fish Tank and started it's own site, my join date never followed young whippersnapper Edited August 29, 2015 by wanareef 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Posted August 29, 2015 Share Posted August 29, 2015 Let go back you when the meeting were at woody and Alice was heading it up.. Then is was the reeftank I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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