CO2 generator

bkhunt · May 10, 2022

I was wondering if anyone is using on on their calcium reactor with any success? How long are you getting out of a tank?

I am trying to see if this is a way to avoid running to the welding gas store. I mean I already have citric acid - baking soda - water in the house.

blaxsun · May 12, 2022

Bump.

tkdman · Dec 28, 2022

has anyone tested this yet? I will be testing it here soon

bkhunt · Dec 28, 2022

The idea did not seem to get traction so I assumed it was not a thing. I acquired a second cylinder instead of putting money into something that may not work. Please post your results as I am still curious.

tkdman · Jan 7, 2023

Just to give an update. Finally got the calcium reactor. Using a wyin co2 generator from Amazon the regulator started on 350psi after letting it sit reacting for 1 week while reactor came from BRS. I will keep updating here.
Just a note I started the co2 flowing Jan 5th at around 3pm. It’s being controlled by a hydros and depressing the ph to 6.5-6.7.

tkdman · Jan 7, 2023

For records of the experiment.

bkhunt · Jan 7, 2023

Wow!! That is an impressive amount of pressure it produces. Purchased cylinders are 1200psi so to achieve 1/4 the pressure with 2 household ingredients is amazing.

Thanks for doing the experiment. I asked a question and forgot about it since it did not seem like it was a thing to do because I got no replies.

I look forward to your updates.

tkdman · Jan 7, 2023

I came from planted tanks and ran co2 on a 65gallon 10 years ago. I would go through a 5lb in about 3 weeks so I have the equipment sitting around just hate to drive 45min to fill. Did the math if on average a 5lb will last saltwater 4-6 months if this lasts 2 months I’m saving money over the gas to get to and from plus the cost of the fill. My thoughts are if it works I will buy a second generator and when it is roughly a week from being empty get it running so there is never any down time.

bkhunt · Jan 7, 2023

You will surprised how little a calcium reactor actually uses. I use a 5 pound cylinder and it is lasting my 12-13 months. If I am right with a planted tank the co2 is a constant flow, never had freshwater, where a calcium reactor is only using gas as needed.

tkdman · Jan 7, 2023

I had mine on a ph controller, but you are depressing the ph of the entire tank all at once compared to the tiny water volume of a calcium reactor. Yes there is the trickle through from a dosing pump but it almost negligible. I noticed people were getting 6 months on a 5L generator in their 20-30 planted tanks. So unless I am changing the water through the dosing pump at a rate of 20 gallons per day it wouldn’t surprise me if it got 2-3 months (we are depressing from 8.3 to 6.5 most freshwater its 7.4 to 6.8 maybe 6.4 depending on the plants)

tkdman · Jan 10, 2023

Not really a long term update just an observation.
The CO2 reactor has been increasing psi I think this is due to the chemicals continuing to react. It’s now 400psi.

tkdman · Jan 30, 2023

Just wanted to give roughly a month one update.
Had to adjust bubble counter a little about two weeks ago seems i did not have it turned up enough to keep the ph low enough to melt the media.
currently running about 1.5-2 bubbles per second and keeping the ph at 6.5-6.6
The PSI is currently reading 360.
Current estimate for time to depletion (adding an extra 20psi decrease per month to make up for the mistake): 6 months