Ricq

Greetings everyone.

I'm building a CO2 reactor that's made of a gravel vac tube attached to a powerhead. The CO2 bubbles into the vac tube, the powerhead swirls the gas around some bio-balls (held in place by a foam plug), and CO2-rich water escapes out the bottom. Evidently this is a very popular design for us non-cannister filter folks...

Every reactor of this type I've seen on the net uses a 10" or so gravel tube. I'm considering using a longer one because I don't think I'll like the look of the tube extending halfway down in a back corner of my 55g. Does anyone foresee any problems if the tube extends an inch or two above the substrate? Or for that matter, what if I stuff the foam up the tube 3 or 4 inches from the substrate, have the bottom of the tube extend INTO the substrate, and drill some holes in the tube below the foam plug but above the substrate to allow the CO2-rich water to flow into the tank?

The powerhead should be strong enough to accomodate the extra length, I think -- Maxi-Jet Powerhead/Pump Model 600 (160 gph).

Thanks,
Ricq

Mjproost

I don't see any major issues to it being that close to the substrate. I wouldn't put it in the substrate just because it will make a mess when you pull it to clean it. Why couldn't you just slide the thing down so it just wouldn't stick up so far. Personally, I like to try to completely hide those things and if they are lower it is easier. The one I built was 8-9" total length including the powerhead. I think the tube was like 6" long. It worked great but was little big for my liking. It was a Barr-style venturi reactor with a rio 50. Like the one detailed here: http://www.barrreport.com/gallery/showimage.php?i=1

Somewhere on the BarrReport are some good images of it. I no longer use it, I use a DIY inline reactor on my canister.

LilLou

You should be fine with the design and the longer tube. Actually should mix the CO2 into the water better withthe extra agitation in the longer tube. Also being close to the gravel increase the time any bubbles that do escape the reactor have in contact with the water. Which are all good things. Just check to make sure that it doesn't blow stuff from your gravel. You might need to adjust how close to the gravel you put the outlet of the reactor.

Ricq

Thanks, hopefully I can put my DIY CO2 and this reactor together this weekend.