starting DIY Ca reactor, help needed

das75 · 11/22/2006, 02:08 PM

Getting the rest of the pieces together for a Ca Reactor using 6" OD clear acyclic tubing I already have.

Type will be single chamber, recirculating, fed from bottom, similiar in design to pictures in this thread great design . About the only changes will be acyclic end caps as not finding much ready made cheap PVC fittings in 6". Recir pump probably MJ1200.

Sure there will be other questions but to start, what should be the chamber length? The tubing I have is 30" long but thinking cutting back to 24" or less.

Tank is 145g, mostly softies and some small SPS frags. Do have a clam and will probably getting a couple more.

MP

impur · 11/22/2006, 04:14 PM

Its really all up to you. The longer it is the more media you can add and the longer you have to go between filling it. Just make sure the pump can push water thru the whole length.

das75 · 11/22/2006, 04:51 PM

Would a MJ1200 be able to circulate water through ARM media with a 24" reactor chamber.

natual · 11/22/2006, 06:00 PM

I would hold off on the maxijet and use an ehiem. Most commercial reactors use ehiem and they are great pumps. If you can't afford it get a pump that is an exterior or convertable submersible pump with atleast 300gph rating that should be sufficent for your application.

BTW, Tip: make sure that your base support for your media is atleast 1in from the bottom and the holes are the same size and semi-evenly spaced to reduce dead spots.

11/22/2006, 02:08 PM	#1
das75 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmonton AB Posts: 2,269	starting DIY Ca reactor, help needed Getting the rest of the pieces together for a Ca Reactor using 6" OD clear acyclic tubing I already have. Type will be single chamber, recirculating, fed from bottom, similiar in design to pictures in this thread great design . About the only changes will be acyclic end caps as not finding much ready made cheap PVC fittings in 6". Recir pump probably MJ1200. Sure there will be other questions but to start, what should be the chamber length? The tubing I have is 30" long but thinking cutting back to 24" or less. Tank is 145g, mostly softies and some small SPS frags. Do have a clam and will probably getting a couple more. MP

11/22/2006, 04:14 PM	#2
impur Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Eugene, OR Posts: 4,262	Its really all up to you. The longer it is the more media you can add and the longer you have to go between filling it. Just make sure the pump can push water thru the whole length. __________________ Great spirits often encounter violent opposition from mediocre minds. Current Tank Info: 75gal, 20gal sump, 6-54w T5 TEK

11/22/2006, 04:51 PM	#3
das75 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmonton AB Posts: 2,269	Would a MJ1200 be able to circulate water through ARM media with a 24" reactor chamber. __________________ . Current Tank Info: 145g Starfire display (mixed reef) w/75g basement sump & 20g refugium, Barracuda return, Dart w/OM 4way CL, AI Hydras and Director.

11/22/2006, 06:00 PM	#4
natual Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Grand Have,Michigan Posts: 62	I would hold off on the maxijet and use an ehiem. Most commercial reactors use ehiem and they are great pumps. If you can't afford it get a pump that is an exterior or convertable submersible pump with atleast 300gph rating that should be sufficent for your application. BTW, Tip: make sure that your base support for your media is atleast 1in from the bottom and the holes are the same size and semi-evenly spaced to reduce dead spots. __________________ "Ring ring... Hello, this is your tank calling. I am all out of whack. Come fix me or I'll start shootin' your precious fish into the light fixtures!" Current Tank Info: Too Small...Always