Monday, June 16, 2008

DIY External CO2 reactor

This is actually my 2nd DIY external CO2 reactor. I'm using AMDUS drinking water filter, other water filter or container can also be use, just make sure that it can take the pressure. My previous reactor is made from PVC pipe with couples of bio ball inside. It is doing good until I realize that it is very hard to clean because everything is glued (epoxy) together. I deciced to use water filter because it can easily be open and clean.

The parts are shown below:


Parts list:



  1. Drinking water filter S$17 (AMDUS) or S$12 (CRYSTAL), there might be even cheaper brand

  2. 3/4 to 12mm hose connector: S$3.50 x 2 (Hose size can be anything from 12mm, 14mm or 19mm)

  3. DYMAX CO2 atomizer (can't remember the price, reuse my old atomizer S$1~S$2)

  4. Less than 1ft 3.5cm outher diameter PVC pipe S$0.60

  5. Air hose connector S$0.10

  6. Epoxy glue (left over from previous project)

Total around S$27


The plan is to make the water flow around the white PVC in circle. Below ais the sketch of how the water suppose to flow.



First, remove the red color button and replace it with air hose connector. Glue it with epoxy glue. To remove, just unscrew the red button from inside. This red button was originally used to expell air trapped inside the canister.


Second, connect the CO2 atomizer to the air hose connector as show in the picture below. This is optional. You can also use those small air stone, as long as it can fit in.



Next, connect the 3/4 to 12mm hose connector to both inlet and outlet and glue the PVC pipe to the blue color filter head and you get your self DIY external reactor. All done in less than 10 minutes except for the fact that you need to wait until the epoxy dry. One idea by fellow forummer at AQ is by using the inner part of filter media, you need to remove the media first though.



Lastly, I add piece of plastic (black plasting thing on top of atomizer) to direct the water flow. It can be from any plastic, in my case it was from ice cream contriner cover and cut it to fit.



This is how it worked during test:

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19 comments:

  1. Hort LogOctober 13, 2008 at 1:19 AM

    thanks for sharing - just started an aquarium project.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousJuly 7, 2009 at 7:29 AM

    Are you on a diy or pressurized CO2 system?

    ReplyDelete
  3. RobertJuly 7, 2009 at 5:22 PM

    I'm using pressurize CO2 system. The back pressure is quite high, so it might not be suitable for DIY CO2 setup

    ReplyDelete
  4. gremisFebruary 6, 2010 at 10:29 PM

    It is suitable. The only thing you need is a check valve. The pressure in yeast bottle will raise to needed level and it WILL go into the reactor. Yeast can easily make 10bar pressure. Tested by myself. PET bottle will Easily handle reactors pressure to put co2 gas in it.

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousMay 1, 2010 at 5:05 AM

    is this connected to the output or input line of the canister

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousJune 14, 2010 at 5:53 PM

    No any airlocks ?

    ReplyDelete
  7. RobertJune 22, 2010 at 4:30 PM

    I connect mine to ouput. Even if you put on inlet, there should not cause an airlock. CO2 buble will not be able to sink to the bottom and enter the canister filter. Thus it will always traped in the reactor.

    The problem if you put in the inlet is debris will stuck on the reactor. Although some friend say that is good, next time only need to clean the reactor which is much easier than cleaning the filter.

    ReplyDelete
  8. hose adaptersSeptember 1, 2010 at 10:08 AM

    Cool! I never knew about that before. Thanks for guiding me through this. I will try to make something like that this weekend. Keep posting!

    -yumi-

    ReplyDelete
  9. Aquarium SuppliesAugust 19, 2011 at 1:02 PM

    Hi Robert, you've inspired me to make CO2 reactor, thanks for sharing

    ReplyDelete
  10. UnknownJune 20, 2012 at 9:59 AM

    I just made this and I’m ready to install it from the output of my canister filter. However, my one question is does the inflow of the water to the reactor connect to the air stone side or the non-air stone side?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RobertJune 28, 2012 at 12:53 PM

      The inflow of water to the reactor is connected to the air stone side.

      Delete
  11. Joe_OCJanuary 23, 2014 at 2:14 PM

    Hi Robert,

    Have you had to replace the atomizer? If so, what are you using now?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RobertJanuary 28, 2014 at 10:21 AM

      Yes need to clean, after a while it turn brown

      Delete
  12. Joe_OCJanuary 24, 2014 at 5:42 AM

    Hi Robert,

    Thanks for the design. I am going forward with a 20" housing instead of 10". I figure if I have more contact time for the CO2 in the water column, it will get better dissolution rates. Have you had to change out the atomizer because of it getting dirty?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RobertJanuary 28, 2014 at 10:22 AM

      Just take note you may need more powerful pump to drive it.

      Delete
  13. iwagumiApril 16, 2014 at 9:22 PM

    I created something like you made but the best results i obtained when i filled the canister with bioballs like AM 1000.

    ReplyDelete
  14. AnonymousJune 5, 2014 at 7:32 AM

    Hi, where in singapore can I get these water filter housing? Where did you get yours from?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RobertJune 10, 2014 at 1:15 PM

      Get from neighborhood hardware shop. Sometime DIY shop also sell.

      Delete

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