• Three-stage KR (weekend design)

  • Nicholas5194

I assembled a three-stage calcium reactor for myself. The base consists of three BOYU FT-320 filter canisters (143x95x525mm). In addition to the canisters, I needed: 1. A pump with a capacity of 1800 l/h from an internal filter. 2. A few pieces of plastic (optional). 3. A plastic check valve (can be broken). The design can be seen in the photos. The first section (from right to left) is filled with bio-balls. This is the actual reactor for dissolving CO2. Such reactors are widely used in freshwater aquaristics. I can't comment on the effectiveness of the bio-balls in a "bio" sense, but they are indispensable for CO2 reactors. CO2 is supplied from the top. A hole is drilled in the tube, and half of the check valve is glued on. You can adapt something else as long as it can be securely glued and the CO2 supply tube fits tightly. The second section is the calcium reactor itself. The third section serves for "burning off" the remaining carbon dioxide. That's basically it. The tubes, elbows, and outlet valve are all taken from the FT-320 kit. The canisters are glued to a strip of plastic and bonded together with strips of plastic for added rigidity. I cut off the standard canister mounts, but you can also use them by securing all the canisters to a strip of rigid plastic.

Catherine

So what, is it a channel that formed, with water flowing under pressure from the last flask?

Mariah

Yes. From the last one under pressure. The pressure there is quite weak, and the flow rate is low due to the high resistance of the bulk material in the flasks.

Andrew9581

How long has the KR been operating? Have you thought about how you plan to regulate the calcium "output" so you don't have to constantly check it? If there is an opportunity, please measure the resin at the reactor's inlet and outlet. Thank you.

Tammy

The pump is supposed to circulate water through a closed loop to avoid stagnant areas. If the faucet at the outlet is partially closed, the flow inside will be weak; if it is fully open, CO2 will enter the aquarium.

Chris

Did you test the water at the reactor outlet? I'm interested in kN and pH.

Alexander

Igor, I haven't tested it yet. It needs the reactor to run for a couple of days, but I'm already packed. I'll turn it off during my absence, and when I return, I'll test it. I'm also curious, especially about the pH at the inlet/outlet and calcium at the outlet.

Tricia7885

In theory, it should work, 2 days is a long time, measure the pH at the output, I'm curious how much, whether the CO is being burned off or not. And why are there balls in the first flask? Bacteria don't seem to survive there.

Lindsey3628

You can't use a central flask here; it's not that kind of design, and there's simply no space for it even if you wanted to.

Jerry

They create a fine turbulent flow, which ensures 100% dissolution of CO2 even with a high feed rate.

Holly

Will there be a continuation about the miracle reactor? What did practice show?

Spencer7805

Did you buy the box or make it yourself? What are its dimensions? The thing is, I'm looking for a box for a power supply and similar items, but I can't find the right size, and what you have in the photo is exactly what I need.

Christopher4125

I did it myself. Check the radio market.