$200, my day off, and my new diy calcium reactor!

WmTasker · 05/05/2005, 03:07 PM

Well after much debate and lots of reading on RC (thread after thread), I finally put together a calcium reactor today.

Here is my supply list:

Milwakee Regulator $70 - Ebay
QuitOne 1200 pump $21 - Foster&Smith
ARM Reactor Media $16 - Champion Lighting
MaxiJet 1200 $20 - Champion Lighting
Reactor Chamber $55 - Lowes
John Guest Fittings $11 - Lowes
Assorted Hoses $3 - Lowes
Drill bit and Tap $13 - Lowes
PVC parts $3 - Lowes
Barb Fittings/clamps $3 - Lowes

CO2 tank $$Free$$ - Found in my father garage

The finished Product

I started out by glueing my pvs 1/2" thread to 1" slip adapters to the 45 degree elbows that had 1" slip on one end and 1" male threads on the other.

Next I used a 7/16th drill bit to drill one hole in one elbow and 2 in the other. I took my tap and threaded the holes to fit the 1/4" John Guest fittings. Two of the fittings are 1/4 to 1/4 and the other is 1/4 to 3/8. The 3/8 fitting is to supply water from the sump. I used this since the 3/8 hose made a better fit to the Maxijet 1200.

To finish up the elbows. I attached the barb fittings to them. The barb fittings were 1/2 male thread to 5/8 barb.

WmTasker · 05/05/2005, 03:19 PM

I then moved on to cutting the pipe for the inside of the reactor. I made the pipe 10 1/2 inches long. I used my chop saw and put about 6 slits on each side of the pipe for the water to flow through the arm media. I also put a little rubber gasket at the bottom of the pipe to help make a better fit.

I then put the pipe in place, add media and closed it up. It held about 5 lbs of media. I hooked up the hoses just to make sure everything was were it should be.

I then made my adapters for the pump. I used two more barb fitting (like the ones from above) and two 1/2" thread to thread couplings. I want together like this.

I finished up bu cutting some 5/8 ID hose to length. I put them into place and put a few hose clamps on to make sure there was no leaks.

After getting everthing up and running. I found out I have a bad selinode on the regulator. So I called milwakee and they are sending my a new one. Cant wait to get it.

Hope everyone enjoyes this.

Travis L. Stevens · 05/05/2005, 03:49 PM

This is AWESOME. I love it. I wonder if there is any more budget crunching we can do to make it even cheaper

WmTasker · 05/05/2005, 03:52 PM

If theres a will theres a way. Im sure if you look hard enough and be patient, you can find parts cheaper than what I paid for them.

stogie · 05/05/2005, 03:54 PM

This looks really cool. Keep us updated on how this performs

Purple Haze · 05/05/2005, 04:07 PM

seems rather popular to get bad solenoid valves with the Milwaukee kit lately.

WmTasker · 05/05/2005, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Purple Haze
seems rather popular to get bad solenoid valves with the Milwaukee kit lately.

The guy there (Brian Moore) was really nice about the whole thing. He was going to put a new one out to me today in the mail. Im just disapointed that I didn't get it all up and running today.

Picapet · 05/05/2005, 04:17 PM

BRAGGER!! = o )

Tasker is da man...saw it firsthand... it is great!
Great Job William...
You get an A+ for the day and a star next to your name!

WmTasker · 05/05/2005, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Picapet
BRAGGER!! = o )

Tasker is da man...saw it firsthand... it is great!
Great Job William...
You get an A+ for the day and a star next to your name!

To bad everyone doesn't have a neighbor like me.

<----- I like under your occupation where it says "seld employeed"

Picapet · 05/05/2005, 04:22 PM

ABout time someone NOTICED... that is the cross between SELF and Seldom...
Seld Employed!
Means I am SELF employed... But Seldom do a dang thing!
Thanks for noticing!

8BALL_99 · 05/05/2005, 04:44 PM

Ok Thats it I'm building one of these.......Looks good

NwG · 05/05/2005, 04:48 PM

Really nice work... nice thing is you can make a seconed chamber really easy!!!

WmTasker · 05/05/2005, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by NwG
Really nice work... nice thing is you can make a seconed chamber really easy!!!

I have an old RO unit that I was planning on using for that. I just haven't put it together yet. Thats for my next day off with nothing to do.

Richard Tester · 05/05/2005, 06:32 PM

This is the SHIZNIT -- Is the chamber a water filer canister? It looks kind bigger than most I have seen. Excellent Idea man!

Rivenjim · 05/05/2005, 06:33 PM

quick question about the reactor chamber what was its origonal purpose that they were selling it at lowes for thanks in advance

WmTasker · 05/05/2005, 06:36 PM

The reactor chamber is in the water filtering department at lowes. Its made by wirlpool, and was orginally designed to be a whole house water fitler. It holds a little over a gallon of water. It was the biggest filter I have seen at any of the water / home improvement places.

JCqtown · 05/05/2005, 07:19 PM

Here you go.
link

Im searching to see how cheap I can find it online

DONALDUGLYDUCK · 05/05/2005, 07:27 PM

i see you went for the filter, the big 1 i think it will work better how much was it i want 1 next day off lol

cloudancer · 05/05/2005, 08:40 PM

That's a great DIY, I love it.

I've been putting off a Ca reactor because I haven't had time to invest in learning acrylic. Now I have no excuse and therefore will finally have to make one.

TroyPierce · 05/06/2005, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Milwakee Regulator $70 - Ebay
QuitOne 1200 pump $21 - Foster&Smith
ARM Reactor Media $16 - Champion Lighting
MaxiJet 1200 $20 - Champion Lighting
Reactor Chamber $55 - Lowes
John Guest Fittings $11 - Lowes
Assorted Hoses $3 - Lowes
Drill bit and Tap $13 - Lowes
PVC parts $3 - Lowes
Barb Fittings/clamps $3 - Lowes

CO2 tank $$Free$$ - Found in my father garage

You forgot to add "Finally having a CA reactor - Priceless!"

Great job. When ya get your solenoid, give us an update on performance.

Did you add a bubble counter?

SHOmuchFUN · 05/06/2005, 09:30 AM

I have one of those filters laying around my place somewhere but the housing is white so you can't see inside it. If someone wants to buy it off me, send me a PM.

houseofha · 05/06/2005, 02:26 PM

ay updtae on the progress of this project? Rate of calcium etc?

House

fishfood2581 · 05/06/2005, 02:57 PM

how much ARM does it hold?

fishfood2581 · 05/06/2005, 03:07 PM

oops sorry i just saw 5lb

Dragonmaster · 05/06/2005, 04:07 PM

I just finished building one like yours! I got all the parts from sLowes. I was wondering if the housing is supposed to have a gasket for the lid? The only one they had left did not.

It took me about 2.5 Hrs. to build this thing. Your instructions are great and so is the concept! Great work!!

Thanks

05/05/2005, 03:07 PM	#1
WmTasker JBJ 45g Rimless Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Crestline, Ohio (central Ohio) Posts: 1,574 Blog Entries: 2	$200, my day off, and my new diy calcium reactor! Well after much debate and lots of reading on RC (thread after thread), I finally put together a calcium reactor today. Here is my supply list: Milwakee Regulator $70 - Ebay QuitOne 1200 pump $21 - Foster&Smith ARM Reactor Media $16 - Champion Lighting MaxiJet 1200 $20 - Champion Lighting Reactor Chamber $55 - Lowes John Guest Fittings $11 - Lowes Assorted Hoses $3 - Lowes Drill bit and Tap $13 - Lowes PVC parts $3 - Lowes Barb Fittings/clamps $3 - Lowes CO2 tank $$Free$$ - Found in my father garage The finished Product I started out by glueing my pvs 1/2" thread to 1" slip adapters to the 45 degree elbows that had 1" slip on one end and 1" male threads on the other. Next I used a 7/16th drill bit to drill one hole in one elbow and 2 in the other. I took my tap and threaded the holes to fit the 1/4" John Guest fittings. Two of the fittings are 1/4 to 1/4 and the other is 1/4 to 3/8. The 3/8 fitting is to supply water from the sump. I used this since the 3/8 hose made a better fit to the Maxijet 1200. To finish up the elbows. I attached the barb fittings to them. The barb fittings were 1/2 male thread to 5/8 barb. __________________ The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.

05/05/2005, 03:19 PM	#2
WmTasker JBJ 45g Rimless Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Crestline, Ohio (central Ohio) Posts: 1,574 Blog Entries: 2	I then moved on to cutting the pipe for the inside of the reactor. I made the pipe 10 1/2 inches long. I used my chop saw and put about 6 slits on each side of the pipe for the water to flow through the arm media. I also put a little rubber gasket at the bottom of the pipe to help make a better fit. I then put the pipe in place, add media and closed it up. It held about 5 lbs of media. I hooked up the hoses just to make sure everything was were it should be. I then made my adapters for the pump. I used two more barb fitting (like the ones from above) and two 1/2" thread to thread couplings. I want together like this. I finished up bu cutting some 5/8 ID hose to length. I put them into place and put a few hose clamps on to make sure there was no leaks. After getting everthing up and running. I found out I have a bad selinode on the regulator. So I called milwakee and they are sending my a new one. Cant wait to get it. Hope everyone enjoyes this. __________________ The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.

05/05/2005, 03:49 PM	#3
Travis L. Stevens Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Perry, OK Posts: 13,946	This is AWESOME. I love it. I wonder if there is any more budget crunching we can do to make it even cheaper __________________ Travis Stevens Current Tank Info: Restarting 28g Bowfront

05/05/2005, 03:52 PM	#4
WmTasker JBJ 45g Rimless Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Crestline, Ohio (central Ohio) Posts: 1,574 Blog Entries: 2	If theres a will theres a way. Im sure if you look hard enough and be patient, you can find parts cheaper than what I paid for them. __________________ The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.

05/05/2005, 04:22 PM	#10
Picapet Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Mansfield, Ohio Posts: 12	ABout time someone NOTICED... that is the cross between SELF and Seldom... Seld Employed! Means I am SELF employed... But Seldom do a dang thing! Thanks for noticing! Last edited by Picapet; 05/05/2005 at 04:36 PM.

05/05/2005, 03:54 PM	#5
stogie Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Elgin Posts: 161	This looks really cool. Keep us updated on how this performs

05/05/2005, 04:07 PM	#6
Purple Haze Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: TX Posts: 1,156	seems rather popular to get bad solenoid valves with the Milwaukee kit lately.

05/05/2005, 04:17 PM	#8
Picapet Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Mansfield, Ohio Posts: 12	BRAGGER!! = o ) Tasker is da man...saw it firsthand... it is great! Great Job William... You get an A+ for the day and a star next to your name!

05/05/2005, 04:44 PM	#11
8BALL_99 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Toney, AL Posts: 3,724	Ok Thats it I'm building one of these.......Looks good __________________ The problem with political jokes is they get elected. OK, so what's the speed of dark? Why do we drive on the parkway and park in the driveway? Isn't is it a bit unnerving that doctors call what they do "practice"? Current Tank Info: Custom Starfire 300,92Gallon,35 Gallon Hex,Two 40Gallons,125Gallon,

05/05/2005, 04:48 PM	#12
NwG Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Redondo Beach-SoCal Posts: 1,498	Really nice work... nice thing is you can make a seconed chamber really easy!!! __________________ Nerds with Guns? Fish with Guns! Kimber 1911-Dosen't get any better "If you don't test for it, DON'T ADD IT!!!!" "Always strive for the optimum environment, not the minimum environment" -BrianD- Current Tank Info: 220g bb display about 420g total 100g fuge 90g sump in basement ASM G6 2x400w 14k's, 250w 14k, 2x6100 streams w/MC 1/4hp chiller, BARR CR2200 reactor, Geo Kalk Reactor, SPS and clams

05/05/2005, 06:32 PM	#14
Richard Tester Registered Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Johnson City TN. Posts: 515	This is the SHIZNIT -- Is the chamber a water filer canister? It looks kind bigger than most I have seen. Excellent Idea man! __________________ Richard Current Tank Info: 75 gal. BB set up with a refugium.

05/05/2005, 06:33 PM	#15
Rivenjim Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: chicago Posts: 417	quick question about the reactor chamber what was its origonal purpose that they were selling it at lowes for thanks in advance

05/05/2005, 06:36 PM	#16
WmTasker JBJ 45g Rimless Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Crestline, Ohio (central Ohio) Posts: 1,574 Blog Entries: 2	The reactor chamber is in the water filtering department at lowes. Its made by wirlpool, and was orginally designed to be a whole house water fitler. It holds a little over a gallon of water. It was the biggest filter I have seen at any of the water / home improvement places. __________________ The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.

05/05/2005, 07:19 PM	#17
JCqtown Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 10	Here you go. link Im searching to see how cheap I can find it online

05/05/2005, 07:27 PM	#18
DONALDUGLYDUCK Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: ohio Posts: 136	i see you went for the filter, the big 1 i think it will work better how much was it i want 1 next day off lol

05/05/2005, 08:40 PM	#19
cloudancer Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Durham, NC Posts: 264	That's a great DIY, I love it. I've been putting off a Ca reactor because I haven't had time to invest in learning acrylic. Now I have no excuse and therefore will finally have to make one.

05/06/2005, 09:30 AM	#21
SHOmuchFUN Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Vermont Posts: 4,461	I have one of those filters laying around my place somewhere but the housing is white so you can't see inside it. If someone wants to buy it off me, send me a PM. __________________ Erik Engstrom President, Vermont Marine Aquarists. Current Tank Info: Custom 180gal, 6x80w ATI T-5s, (2) Tunze 6025, Vortec MP40w, MSX200 w/ red demon, controlled by AcJR.

05/06/2005, 02:26 PM	#22
houseofha Registered Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Ossining, NY Posts: 211	ay updtae on the progress of this project? Rate of calcium etc? House __________________ House is in the House, only it's a little red one this time. Current Tank Info: reef/fish many hard/soft corals and inverts, with nice fish. Learning curve was enormous!!

05/06/2005, 02:57 PM	#23
fishfood2581 Moved On Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 249	how much ARM does it hold?

05/06/2005, 03:07 PM	#24
fishfood2581 Moved On Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 249	oops sorry i just saw 5lb

05/06/2005, 04:07 PM	#25
Dragonmaster Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Albany, GA. Posts: 260	I just finished building one like yours! I got all the parts from sLowes. I was wondering if the housing is supposed to have a gasket for the lid? The only one they had left did not. It took me about 2.5 Hrs. to build this thing. Your instructions are great and so is the concept! Great work!! Thanks __________________ Maybe you oughtta go back home and crawl under your bed. It's not safe out here. It's wondrous, with treasures to satiate desires both subtle and gross; but it's not for the timid." -- Q