DIY Media reactor

Discussion in 'I made this!' started by RoloSaez, May 12, 2014.

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  1. RoloSaez

    RoloSaez Millepora

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    So I found this fiber splice closure at work it was missing the guts. Looks like they planned on using it but didn't have all the pieces. So I acquired it. I thought it would make a great reactor. We also have a plexiglass covers for cement boxes that I used to make the lid. I tried two different designs both would work. Here are some pictures. The plan is to add a pipe all the way to the bottom then the water rise up through the media and back to the tank.
     

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  2. Click Here!

  3. RoloSaez

    RoloSaez Millepora

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    [​IMG]

    So this design would eventually leak unless I got an O ring to go under the plastic. Which is possible. These second set of pictures makes a better seal using the rubber gasket the kit came with. Cut a smaller circle and had to drill a hole in it because it was air tight when pushing the gasket in place. Let me know what you guys think.
     

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  4. Av8Bluewater

    Av8Bluewater Giant Squid

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    It looks cool. What media will you use it for?
     
  5. RoloSaez

    RoloSaez Millepora

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    That's where you guys come in. Currently I have a bag of chemipure in the drain sock. Phosban in the two little fishes reactor. So I'm not really sure. Can I put all them in the same reactor since it's like 18" tall by 6.5" round. Not a big fan of the chemipure. This is the first time I used it and the media bag seems to allow a lot of it loose after rinsing for ever. It's almost ground to fine like coffee grounds. :confused:
     
  6. Av8Bluewater

    Av8Bluewater Giant Squid

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    Well.. I'm not really qualified to make a reactor lol. But.. I can comment my carbon reactor does just fine with sponges since it doesn't need and shouldn't tumble.
    I would still think you need the special grates to keep GFO particals in.
    They sell these screens if you can make them fit:
    Amazon.com : Two Little Fishies ATLPBRNPX 2-Pack Phosban ReaCountor Screens for Npx : Aquarium Filter Accessories : Pet Supplies

    The hard part for biopellets and GFO is it needs to tumble. GFO needs a light tumble so you'll need a way to see what it's doing. Maybe you could put a little window on the side or something?
     
  7. RoloSaez

    RoloSaez Millepora

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    you made that stand. I think you are more than qualified. I was thinking of using it as a place to put media bags in so that if one media needs to be changed before the other I can easily do so. Carbon and Phosguard in separate bags.
     
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  9. Av8Bluewater

    Av8Bluewater Giant Squid

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    Yeah.. That's a good idea.
     
  10. oldfishkeeper

    oldfishkeeper Giant Squid

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  11. RoloSaez

    RoloSaez Millepora

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    Thanks OFK

    Trying to figure out the plumbing now. Thinking of using the push connect bulkhead from BRS.
     

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  12. N00ZE

    N00ZE Eyelash Blennie

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    Cool little project.