DIY Carbon/Phosphate Reactor

[bbyatv]

I was starting to see some hair algae in the tank and was wondering what was going on.

 

I checked my nitrates and they were 0.

 

I then checked my phosphates and they were at 2.5. Wo! Well at least I know why the algae was starting up.

 

I looked through everything I was adding to the tank from my top off water (DI) to my food.

 

The only thing I found that mentioned phosphate was my New Life Spectrum food that has polyphosphates in it.

 

Maybe this is the source.

 

The other thing it might be is the carbon I use. I used to use a brand that stated on the side of the box no phosphates. The LFS stopped selling that brand and the new one I use does not make that claim on the container.

 

Any how I decided I had better lower the phosphate level in the tank and decided to add a phosphate reactor.

 

At the same time I figured I could put my carbon in their as well. I used to keep it in a bag just lying in the sump.

 

I checked my phosphate level this morning less than 24 hours later and they are 0 or darn near close as best this test kit can tell.

 

Any how I stole the idea from this link and then added to it a little.

 

http://www.myreef.distantrealm.com/canister.asp

 

Here are some pics.

 

 

 

 

Bruce

Edited April 21, 2008 by bbyatv

[NRehman]

Looks good Bruce. I like the extra volume in the reactor. Might just have to replicate!

[jnguyen4007]

that is quite smart dude.

[ctenophore]

Why the tee on the input line before the union? It looks like it's just capped.

[bbyatv]

Originally I had two reactors. One with carbon and one with phosphate sponge. The T went to the other chamber. I decided I could put both in one chamber. and condense a little.

 

Bruce

 

Why the tee on the input line before the union? It looks like it's just capped.

[ErikS]

That's what I like to see - maximize the use of "stuff laying around" (meaning stuff not designated for reef use).

[bbyatv]

No Doubt.

 

The only thing I bought was the needle point backing (5 @ $.75) and the canister itself (2 @ $5.99). I had the phosphate sponge, carbon, plumbing, screens, and pump all laying around.

 

This was a cheap DIY that did its job and fast.

 

Bruce

 

That's what I like to see - maximize the use of "stuff laying around" (meaning stuff not designated for reef use).

[treesprite]

Looks like something I could actually build myself... maybe I'll try it out.

[bprinehart]

Looks really good. I did something very similar, although I did have a phosban reactor, I made my own carbon reactor out of a pasta container I got at target for about 6 bucks, and daisy chained the two together, and the results have been very good.

Edited April 21, 2008 by bprinehart

[madmax7774]

Bruce,

I am continually astounded at your ingenuity. I surf regularly for reef-related sites to see new things, and learn new stuff, but your reef Kung-fu is unparralleled. I am yet again impressed.

By the way, I have started dosing the calcium partion of the RHF 2 part mix. I hunted all over for the stinkin dow flake, but I finally caved and just ordered some off the web. Pretty easy to make. even easier to use. Thanks again for showing me that stuff.

John

[bbyatv]

John,

 

Thanks for the kind words. If you ever want to build one of these let me know. I have the stuff.

 

By the way, what brand of Calcium Chloride did you buy?

 

I would have gladly given you 1/2 a bag of Dow.

 

Bruce

 

 

Bruce,

I am continually astounded at your ingenuity. I surf regularly for reef-related sites to see new things, and learn new stuff, but your reef Kung-fu is unparralleled. I am yet again impressed.

By the way, I have started dosing the calcium partion of the RHF 2 part mix. I hunted all over for the stinkin dow flake, but I finally caved and just ordered some off the web. Pretty easy to make. even easier to use. Thanks again for showing me that stuff.

John

Edited April 22, 2008 by bbyatv

[treesprite]

Is there another link to more info about this? The one posted doesn't work anymore.

[rioreef]

correct link

[treesprite]

thanks