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DIY Inline reactor plans

166K views 226 replies 83 participants last post by  KeithG3255 
#1 ·
For those of you looking for DIY reactor plans, here is the parts list (should be self explainatory) for the many reactors that I have built.

Most of the parts can be found at Home Depot. I got some items at www.mcmaster.com such as the 3/4" barbs and clear tubing. The airline fitting and bioballs can be found at your LFS.
 

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#3 ·
Not sure about the wiffle balls. The bio balls are just there for turbulence.

Not sure how big of a tank this is good for, but I would easily feel comfortable with it on a 100-150g tank...give that it can easily load up a 30g with CO2 without even blinking.

You could always make the clear section longer than 8" if you really want to.
 
#11 ·
Anyone found a cost-effective alternative for the clear tube? It's $40 for an 8' section at mcmaster-carr. More than i can afford. I've looked around and the only thing i've found close is a clear mailing tube, but i don't know what it's made of and it seems a little flimsy. I also thought about buying a gravel vac and using that, but i'm looking for other suggestions if anyone has any.
 
#15 ·
SAWALLACE said:
Anyone found a cost-effective alternative for the clear tube? It's $40 for an 8' section at mcmaster-carr. More than i can afford. I've looked around and the only thing i've found close is a clear mailing tube, but i don't know what it's made of and it seems a little flimsy. I also thought about buying a gravel vac and using that, but i'm looking for other suggestions if anyone has any.
Aquatic Ecosystems sells it by the foot. Price depends on diameter.

http://www.aquaticeco.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/product.detail/iid/7010/cid/1859
 
#17 ·
US Plastics has a 10' minimum, however they have never charged me extra for cutting it down into something that won't incur oversize charges.

I do have 1-1/2" PVC in stock at $0.45 per inch, shipping would be $3.99 for any length up to 1'. I don't have it listed on my site yet so if anyone wants some they can email me about it. We'll be adding a number of DIY parts to our offerings shortly though, sounded like a good idea from the number of people posting about where to get things.
 
#18 ·
check the yellow pages for a plastic suppler, local , i live in Mass and i found one in RI. 40 min ride fore me and, got a 2in x 12in of polycarbonated tubeing for $9.50 its stronger than pvc and it fits the 2in 3/4 reduce bushing perfect, it can also be drilled and tap for 1/8 brass or plastic hose barr for the co2 injection
 
#19 ·
After several failed attempts at cutting up a gravel vac and using that, i eliminated my headaches and went with plain white PVC. I also remembered that Gomer has a 29gal tank and a 8" tube is too short for my +-350gph filter, tiny co2 bubbles are spraying out of the spraybar, something to keep in mind if you try and tackle this project. I'll let you know if i figure out how long to make the tube for larger filters.
 
#23 · (Edited)
I used 2" inner diam. pvc with the 2 90 deg. elbows. It's real close to what you designed only instead of the 2" NPT male/female connection i used a 1.5" connector (this might cause an overall length issue, mine is 12.5" from cap to cap (not elbows)). Also i found a threaded 90 deg. so i didn't have to use a bushing.

I'm using 6 -1.25" bioballs

I tried tilting the unit -20 deg. from vertical. I was told this might help, but it didn't.

I use an XP3 rated at 350gph.
 
#25 ·
Scott, all I can say is that my XP2 doesn't even come close to overpowering the reactor that I built. Are you running DIY or pressurized? Wonder if you are getting a build up of non disolvables.

Rolo, I built 10 in total LOL. All of them injected at the top. If you inject at the bottom, you are injecting into a high flow region (everything beyond is ~1" diameter). If you inject into the top, you have to pass a low flow region (through a 2" diameter).
Run the math, and in an ideal situation (never is LOL) you have 1/4 the flow rate in the 2" section.
 
#26 ·
Inline reactor parts

Does anyone have a dismantled parts diagram for this reactor. I need to see the parts seperately in order to explain them to the people (lfs) here. I can not find each of them as they are not exactly sure what to give. I'm very interested in doing this regulator, it is just what I'm looking for.

YILDIRIM
 
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