Completed and put into action 2/99
DIY
Calcium Reactor
Completed and put into action 2/99
This is the calcium reactor that I built using the plans from Aquarium
Frontiers March 1998 article(They changed the web page format so you'll
have to page your way to the article in the archives). This was one
of the best DIY articles I've found. It listed part numbers and contacts
for the items used in the construction of the reactor.
I choose to use the Dwyers valve listed in the article.
I had some problems with the capped toilet flange leaking.
It seems that the weight of the water caused the cap to "knock" out.
I did acrylic glue the flange to the Plexiglas sheet, but it wasn't watertight.
I have since made several different attempts to seal the leaks and so far
its holding water.
Parameters as of 3/7/99
CO2 Pressure:
26-28 psi
C02 Flow:
15 cc/min
Effluent PH:
6.5
Effluent Alkalinity:
Effluent Flow:
Tank PH:
8.3
Tank Alkalinity:
Parts List
|
|
Qty |
|
|
|
| CO2 | 1 | 20lb bottle |
$100.00
|
Local Welding Supply |
| CO2 Fill | 1 | 20lbs |
$11.50
|
Local Welding Supply |
| Regulator | 1 | Harris 562 425-125-320 |
$120.00
|
Local Welding Supply |
| Flow Meter/Valve 5-50 cc/min | 1 | RMA-151-SSV |
$34.50*
|
Dwyer's |
| Maxi-Jet 750 Pump | 1 | ASMJ750 |
$15.99
|
Debron Aquatics |
| Acrylic Tubing 4" ID X 2' ($8.75 per ft) | 1 | TA5 |
$17.50
|
Aquatic Eco-Systems |
| 1/4" Plexiglas Sheet(Cut as needed) | 1 | 18" X 24" X 1/4" |
$8.75
|
LHS-HD |
| 3" Closet Flange w/ Test Cap | 1 | n/a |
$3.99
|
LHS-HD |
| PVC 4" X 3"Reducer (Bell Reducer) | 1 | 3" X 4" |
$4.79
|
LHS-HD |
| PVC Coupling | 1 | 4" |
$4.97
|
LHS-HD |
| PVC DWV Cleanout Adapter | 1 | 4" |
$4.65
|
LHS-HD |
| PVC DWV Cleanout Plug | 1 | 4" |
$1.88
|
LHS-HD |
| 1/2" NPT X 1/2" Barb | 4 | n/a |
$.97
|
LHS-HD |
| 1/2" NPT X 3/8" Barb | 3 | n/a |
$.91
|
LHS-HD |
| Replacement CO2 gage 0-60 psi | 1 | TM98GGE3206 |
$4.95
|
Herbach & Rademan |
| Solenoid 24VDC NC | 1 | TM96VLV2932
(Skinner F2HX99~A14) |
$15.95
|
Herbach & Rademan |
| 24VDC Power Supply | 1 | TM94ADR2734 |
$12.95
|
Herbach & Rademan |
| Check Valve | 1 | LFS | ||
| 1/2" OD X 3/8" ID tubing | 1 | 10' Roll |
$1.70
|
LHS-HD |
| 5/16" OD X 3/16" ID Tubing | 1 | 20' Roll |
$2.18
|
LHS-HD |
| 5/8" OD X 1/2" ID Tubing | 1 | 10' Roll |
$2.06
|
LHS-HD |
| 1/2" Ball Valve w/ 1/2" NPT | 1 | n/a |
$3.68
|
LHS-HD |
| 1/2" NPT Plug | 1 | n/a |
$.57
|
LHS-HD |
| 1/2" NPT male X 1/2" NPT female riser | 12 | n/a |
$.45
|
LHS-HD |
| 1/4" NPT X 3/16" Barb | 2 | 62005 |
$.31
|
Aquatic Eco-Systems |
| 1/8" NPT X 3/16" Barb | 2 | 62001 |
$.29
|
Aquatic Eco-Systems |
| 3/16" Plastic Valve | 1 | VLP1 |
$.82
|
Aquatic Eco-Systems |
| 1/4" X 1" NPT Brass Pipe Nipple (Solenoid) | 1 | n/a |
$.87
|
LHS-HD |
| Hose Clamps 1/4"-5/8" | 9 | #4 |
$.58
|
LHS-HD |
| PVC 1/2" NPT X 1" Slip X 1" Slip Tee | 2 | n/a |
$.53
|
LHS-HD |
| 1" Slip X 1/2" NPT Bushing | 4 | n/a |
$.57
|
LHS-HD |
| 1/2" NPT Nipple | 1 | n/a | LHS_HD |
Please do not take this as a shopping list. Locally available items may vary type and quantity of items needed to build your reactor.
Potential Saving
Tools-Supplies Used
|
|
|
|
|
| 1/2" x 14 NPT Tap | 04350054 |
$6.73
|
MSC |
| 1/4" X 18 NPT Tap | 04350039 |
$3.58
|
MSC |
| 1/8" X 27 NPT Tap | 04350021 |
$3.17
|
MSC |
| 11/32" Drill | 01180223 |
$1.36
|
MSC |
| 7/16" Drill | 01180280 |
$2.12
|
MSC |
| 23/32" Drill | 01340462 |
$7.99
|
MSC |
| Acrylic Glue 5 oz | TAGL |
$5.95
|
Aquatic Eco-Systems |
| AquaMedic | 15 lb media |
$30.00
|
Premium Aquatics |
| Teflon Paste | 4 oz |
$2.99
|
LHS |
| Teflon Tape | Roll |
$.58
|
LHS |