CO2 Reactor or Reactors? - General Aquarium Plants Discussions

Scotty Bils · 06-02-2008, 05:42 AM

I have been thinking about having more than one reactor on my 280 litre tank. Currently I am using a Dupa Reacor 400 on a PH electrode controled valve but think that the Dupla 400 is not the most efficent.

What about adding two of the below from e-bay, the reson I say two is that I have two cannister filters, I could add one on each and split the CO2 line using a Y piece. These could also be used externally. Would you use them before or after the cannister?

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI....EWA:PIC&ih=002

What about all 3!!!

What do you guys reccomend?

jmontee · 06-02-2008, 06:03 AM

I don't have any experience with these but if they work it's nice, really small. I currently use a reactor like the one explained in the DIY sticky on this forum. I would defenitely recommend that. I 55gallon tank, 200 liters, and I use about 1 bubble per second with no problem. Always at 30ppm, it is extremely efficient at dissolving the CO2. The 10lb CO2 tank that I got will probably last 6 to 7 months or more. I would plumb it into the outflow from the canister filter. Hope this helps.

ponyrandy · 06-02-2008, 07:18 AM

I second the DIY on the output. After researching the subject I built one (also in the DIY section) and I am very pleased with it. It is on a 25 gallon and works flawlessly. This is a learning tank as I have a 150 gallon sitting here that should be up and running before the end of the year. I also plan to do exactly what you are thinking of with the two cannisters and two reactors. I would go with a manifold off of the co2 regulator with two needle valves and two bubble counters. I feel this would give much better circulation of the co2 on such a large tank. Please let us know which one you go with and how it works.
Brian

ponyrandy · 06-02-2008, 07:33 AM

I just looked at the link you gave, and IMO it is just a way to introduce co2 into the input of the cannister filter and let the filter do all of the work. This is why it goes on the intake and not the output. A true reactor keeps the co2 suspended in the reactor until it dissolves into the water column. You could pretty much do the same thing this thing does by putting an air stone with the co2 coming out under your filter intake. Definitely go with the DIY on the output.
Brian

Scotty Bils · 06-03-2008, 02:47 AM

Thanks for that guys!! DYI it is then!!!!

Scotty Bils · 06-03-2008, 06:22 AM

What about this one then?
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI....MEWA:IT&ih=015

This looks pretty close to the DYI one, anyones thoughts?

Thanks again,
Scott

jmontee · 06-03-2008, 07:05 AM

That looks fine, and cheap. Just be careful with what they charge for shipping. Sometimes on ebay you get really cheap sruff and the shipping is through the roof. The only thing I don't know about it is how good the construction is. If you make it yourself or buy from someone on this forum you're less likely to have all the water in your tank sitting on your living room floor one afternoon or morning. I just looked at the shipping and it's not too much.

ponyrandy · 06-03-2008, 07:34 AM

Yeah, I gotta agree with jmontee on that one. It looks like awful cheap construction, I certainly don't like the way the reactor is made up of several pieces, probably to access the bio-balls, which brings me to my next dislike, the bio-balls to me just restrict flow and serve no real purpose. Just can't beat a DIY made of solid PVC.
Brian