Home Made CO2 Reactor
My friend Matt flew in yesterday from Arizona. We ended up going to Big Al's pet store. We where looking at the planted tank accessories, and noticed that they want $130 for a CO2 Reactor. We put one together for under $40.
A CO2 Reactor is a device used with planted tanks that will help push Carbon Dioxide into the aquarium water. Plants LOVE carbon dioxide. It is a major fertilizer.
Here are the $40 worth of parts I needed to make my Homemade CO2 Reactor. These parts include a couple of Siphon aquarium Cleaners, some Bio-Balls, airline tubing and couplers, and an Eheim Filter part I used for a water line splice.
We disasembled one of the aquarium siphons and attached the hose to the other siphon. These are Python brand siphons, they are fitted by compression - no glue, so just pull hard, they will come apart. There are enough bio-balls inside to completely fill the tube.
Here Matt and I are leak-testing the Do It Yourself CO2 Reactor in my bathroom. We hooked it up to my Ehiem Canistor Filter, ran it into a bucket of water, and turned it on. Can you believe? It works! Only a minor leak too!
Here you can see the CO2 Reactor installed on my fish tank. I wanted it to be visable, so I mounted it right up front. I just think this gadget looks so darn cool!
More complete assembly details to be coming soon.
A CO2 Reactor is a device used with planted tanks that will help push Carbon Dioxide into the aquarium water. Plants LOVE carbon dioxide. It is a major fertilizer.
Here are the $40 worth of parts I needed to make my Homemade CO2 Reactor. These parts include a couple of Siphon aquarium Cleaners, some Bio-Balls, airline tubing and couplers, and an Eheim Filter part I used for a water line splice.
We disasembled one of the aquarium siphons and attached the hose to the other siphon. These are Python brand siphons, they are fitted by compression - no glue, so just pull hard, they will come apart. There are enough bio-balls inside to completely fill the tube.
Here Matt and I are leak-testing the Do It Yourself CO2 Reactor in my bathroom. We hooked it up to my Ehiem Canistor Filter, ran it into a bucket of water, and turned it on. Can you believe? It works! Only a minor leak too!
Here you can see the CO2 Reactor installed on my fish tank. I wanted it to be visable, so I mounted it right up front. I just think this gadget looks so darn cool!More complete assembly details to be coming soon.
Tags: aquaria, co2 reactor
posted by Mike @ 7:00 AM
2 Comments:
That's a nice patio table you have.
You forgot to mention the Dew in your parts list.
So you just circulate the water through the bio-balls? What's so special about the premade device then?
Yep, you just circulate the water through the bio-balls. This creates a lot of surface area and a lot of water turbulance.
All the other DIY sources involve PVC pipes and glue and a really big process to make this gadget. I have not yet to see A Reactor made in this fashion, this simply. Heck, mine doesn't even use any glue!. The price seems to be the same for mine versus the other homebrew reactors.
The expensive reactors, they are made in that OTHER, more Complicated manner.
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home