Got me a new toy

Dowtish · Sep 30, 2011

Lindsey, did yours come with the mesh disks? Because there are 2 MR5 reactors listed, one is $20 more, but it mentions having the mesh disks specifically for bio-pellets

SmyrnaReefer · Sep 30, 2011

its sayd they both come with the mesh disks, the difference is you build versus they build

Dowtish · Sep 30, 2011

gotcha

pickupman66 · Sep 30, 2011

mine came with both the mesh and the foam. the mesh is the only "Cheapo" piece in my opinion. get you some needlepoint disks and replace. I may end up doing that. BTW, it is the MR-5 reactor that I got. I almost got the XL, but felt that I really didnt need it. now that I have these in there, maybe I should have ponied the extra $15. but it will hold 1000 ML Ecobak just fine. maybe up to 1200ML.

Incidentally, you basically get a whole brand new tube of Weldon 40. you barely use any so that alone is AWESOME. now I have the weldon to make me an acrylic box of some sort.

Dowtish · Sep 30, 2011

pickupman66 said:
mine came with both the mesh and the foam. the mesh is the only "Cheapo" piece in my opinion. get you some needlepoint disks and replace. I may end up doing that. BTW, it is the MR-5 reactor that I got. I almost got the XL, but felt that I really didnt need it. now that I have these in there, maybe I should have ponied the extra $15. but it will hold 1000 ML Ecobak just fine. maybe up to 1200ML.

Incidentally, you basically get a whole brand new tube of Weldon 40. you barely use any so that alone is AWESOME. now I have the weldon to make me an acrylic box of some sort.

Where do you find needlepoint disks around here?

TinaFoster · Sep 30, 2011

Hobby Lobby
Olde Tyme Pottery
Michael's

SmyrnaReefer · Sep 30, 2011

so the "you build" was easy ou say, thats what i was wondering?????????

pickupman66 · Sep 30, 2011

yea man.. took no time at all.

the pieces are all precut, just remove the paper and wrapping and glue them together. they even have a video. If I were to do it again, I would leave a bit more of the paper on still and only remove right at the joints. I was a little sloppy around teh joints and got the solvent on some of the flat parts. I have never glued acrylic at all before and this was pretty darn easy for me. Buy the You Build one and save the extra cashola.

mixer911 · Oct 1, 2011

Those are nice reactors. I have been telling people about them for a few months. I first saw them about a year ago and for the money are great. The you built is the way to go if you follow this advice. DO NOT use weldon 16 (thick syurpy glue) to glue the tube onto the main parts. ONLY use weldon 3 or 4. I know they say to use it on the video, but weldon 16 is not permanent glue, it is like caulking in the acrylic world. It will work for a while, but eventually leak and seperate over time. Acrylic needs to be chemically bonded together and weldon 3 or 4 does this. weldon 16 is only for gap filling or filling small holes, not for structural joints.

pickupman66 · Oct 1, 2011

the stuff they sent was alot like watery superglue gel.

mixer911 · Oct 1, 2011

It was weldon 16 then. Thats what the chic was using on the video. weldon 3 or 4 is thinner than water and you have to use a syringe or applicator bottle to apply it. They sell it on their site. 16 will work, but its not a long term adheasion and I would not put it under any pressure long term. Only reason I think they are sending that is so people dont screw it up. Weldon 16 takes a few mins to setup, where as weldon 3 and 4 only takes a few secs to set and its permanent.

pickupman66 · Oct 1, 2011

it set in about 20 seconds or so.

mixer911 · Oct 1, 2011

I just read your post from earlier, you said its weldon 40? That doesnt come in a tube and is a 2 part. I dont't think its 40, because that stuff is really thick, like epoxy/bondo consistancy and takes forever to set. Its definately 16. Red tube with white letters.Should say Weldon #16 on the front of it. 3 and 4 set time is 1 to 4 secs, pretty much instant. You can still play with 16 for about 2 mins, even though it starts to set about 20 secs.

Just want to clear it up so others that do it can make sure to use the correct stuff.