DT's DIY Simplicity Media Reactor

[dtfleming]

First this reactor is based on the Simplicity Media Reactor and Maeda's DIY one that he built. This is just my version of it. You can use different parts as it fits your needs, I chose to use 3" due to the size and space I had in my sump. You could always use smaller sizes. The total cost to me was $10 in parts, I already had the pump.

 

PARTS

 

1-3" PVC cleanout with screw cap

1-3" PVC end cap

1- Nylon mesh 4x12"

1- adjustable flow pump of your choice ( I used a MJ 404)

Media of your choice-phosban, carbon, etc.

 

TOOLS

 

1- Power Drill

1- 1/4" drill bit

1-1/2" drill bit

scissors

 

STEP 1

 

Assemble your parts.

 

 

STEP 2

 

Take the 3" PVC end cap and drill some holes in it. As many as you want. I used the 1/4" drill bit here

 

 

Next take the nylon mesh and cut it into a circle so that it will fit over the 3" cleanout with some extra overlapping.

 

 

 

Now place the 3" end cap over the 3" cleanout on the slip side with the nylon mesh over the slip side. Make sure that you have enough nylon mesh covering it and snug the cap down.

 

 

STEP 3

 

Next drill a hole in the 3" screw cap, line it up to make sure the outlet nozzle from the pump will fit. I used the 1/2" drill bit here.

 

 

Insert the nozzle of the pump to make sure that you have a snug fit

 

 

Cut the rest of the nylon mesh to make sure it fits over the end cap and that you have enough extra to be able to screw the cap on.

 

 

And now you have a complete reactor ready to add your media. Make sure the media is in between the two nylon mesh covers to trap the media. Adjust the flow to have the media tumble like any other reactor. Also make sure to rinse the media before running the reactor in your tank/sump.

 

 

If you noticed that I did not glue or teflon either of the caps. This is so that you can add and remove the media and replace the nylon as needed.

 

Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Larry Grenier]

Thanks

[kngfisher]

nice. one one question....does the reactor tend to fall over when filled with media/water? Is the media supposed to tumble inside the reactor or do you use something like filter-floss to make sure water flows threw the media and not around it if this reactor was placed on it's side.

[dtfleming]

I put it up against the side of the sump. the nylon helps trap the media inside the reactor and allows it to tumble, thats why I use an adjustable flow pump. I havent tried it on its side, but you can make it smaller to fit your needs.

 

The biggest thing is to make sure BOTH LIDS are SNUG or you'll be fishing GFO outta your tank.