Super cheap calcium reactor

[HappyFm]

Continue with my automation project.

I was torn between a calcium reactor and Zeovit, but ultimately decided on the calcium reactor mainly due to economic reasons and the lack of a reliable source for Zeovit.

This is my version 3.2 product

It has a total size of approximately 25 x 12 x 33 cm (length x width x height).

The output provides a continuous flow of over 1L/hour with a pH of 6.5 and a dKH of approximately 21–22 (my KH test kit has a maximum accuracy of around 17 dKH, so I had to add a second dose of color indicator to estimate).

The total cost is approximately 82 USD, with the body of the reactor alone costing 20 USD.

• pH probe with BNC circuit - $8.15
• Reactor body (1500ml plastic bottle) - $0.45
• Pump (3W ceramic shaft, approx. 120L/h) - $3.26
• PVC pipe, hose clamps, glue, water and air tubing, etc. - $4.08
• pH controller set (ESP8266 chip, wires, relay, etc.) - $4.08
• CO2 cylinder with electric valve - $28.58 (1L aluminum, bought used from freshwater aquarium shop)
• CO2 refill - $3.26
• Materials for reactor - $24.47 (Reef Reactor 2L)

Total in USD: $81.37

My tank is quite small (32 gallons), and I hope that I can use it for a year without having to replace anything.
I believe the capacity of this reactor has not yet reached its maximum because the CO2 pumping time is very short to maintain a pH of 6.5 (and I haven't seen any excess gas in the reactor).

I will add more details on how to make it later. There is very little information because I took very few pictures during the construction.

I look forward to receiving feedback from everyone on this design, as well as any potential issues I may encounter that I haven't anticipated yet. Thank you :D

 

[HappyFm]

The next project I'm looking forward to: an automatic KH controller without using chemicals (referencing Aquawiz).

 

[keepingfishwithnoidea]

Continue with my automation project.

I was torn between a calcium reactor and Zeovit, but ultimately decided on the calcium reactor mainly due to economic reasons and the lack of a reliable source for Zeovit.

This is my version 3.2 product

It has a total size of approximately 25 x 12 x 33 cm (length x width x height).

The output provides a continuous flow of over 1L/hour with a pH of 6.5 and a dKH of approximately 21–22 (my KH test kit has a maximum accuracy of around 17 dKH, so I had to add a second dose of color indicator to estimate).

The total cost is approximately 82 USD, with the body of the reactor alone costing 20 USD.

• pH probe with BNC circuit - $8.15
• Reactor body (1500ml plastic bottle) - $0.45
• Pump (3W ceramic shaft, approx. 120L/h) - $3.26
• PVC pipe, hose clamps, glue, water and air tubing, etc. - $4.08
• pH controller set (ESP8266 chip, wires, relay, etc.) - $4.08
• CO2 cylinder with electric valve - $28.58 (1L aluminum, bought used from freshwater aquarium shop)
• CO2 refill - $3.26
• Materials for reactor - $24.47 (Reef Reactor 2L)

Total in USD: $81.37

My tank is quite small (32 gallons), and I hope that I can use it for a year without having to replace anything.
I believe the capacity of this reactor has not yet reached its maximum because the CO2 pumping time is very short to maintain a pH of 6.5 (and I haven't seen any excess gas in the reactor).

I will add more details on how to make it later. There is very little information because I took very few pictures during the construction.

I look forward to receiving feedback from everyone on this design, as well as any potential issues I may encounter that I haven't anticipated yet. Thank you :D

works well??

 

[shakacuz]

this is cool. i have 0 knowledge of CARX, but considering how affordable you made yours with some success in your application, it makes me wonder how easy it would be to make one for a 60-125G system

 

[HappyFm]

works well??

Yup. Before I installed the KH controller, I accidentally ran the calcium reactor for over 2 hours continuously, and my tank's dKH increased from 8.5 to 11 ==!! (first time using a calcium reactor, still a bit unfamiliar).

I am measuring with a stable water flow through the reactor at more than 1 ml/s, and the output dKH is between 20 - 25.

 

[HappyFm]

this is cool. i have 0 knowledge of CARX, but considering how affordable you made yours with some success in your application, it makes me wonder how easy it would be to make one for a 60-125G system

I think it's feasible. With a 40G tank, I only need to dose for 3 minutes every 30 minutes with a flow rate through the reactor of 1 - 1.5 ml/s to raise the tank's dKH. I have it set to dose when the dKH is below 9, so it doesn't run for 3 minutes every time after 30 minutes. Sometimes, it takes over an hour before dosing runs for 3 minutes.

I start turning on the lights at 8 AM - dose when the dKH is below 9

 

[keepingfishwithnoidea]

n

I think it's feasible. With a 40G tank, I only need to dose for 3 minutes every 30 minutes with a flow rate through the reactor of 1 - 1.5 ml/s to raise the tank's dKH. I have it set to dose when the dKH is below 9, so it doesn't run for 3 minutes every time after 30 minutes. Sometimes, it takes over an hour before dosing runs for 3 minutes.

I start turning on the lights at 8 AM - dose when the dKH is below 9

Noice once testing done make sure to opensource it

 

[Curiousbranching]

Any new updates, bro?

Chúc mừng năm mới bro và gia đình nhé

 

[HappyFm]

Any new updates, bro?

Chúc mừng năm mới bro và gia đình nhé

Happy new year :D

I'm currently focusing on the automatic dKH controller project, so I don't have any updates for now.

I will redesign the reactor using a 3D printer, and when I disassemble it, I will take pictures of the steps.

Thanks!

 

[HappyFm]

I've made some improvements to my reactor. I decided to skip 3D printing since I'm too lazy to deal with waterproofing the print (not to mention it needs to withstand high pressure). For now, I don't have time to share the design yet. Just noting this down for later.

 

[HappyFm]

I'm using a 12V ceramic shaft pump with a dry-run flow rate of around 500–800 liters per hour, which is more than enough for my reactor (100mm diameter, 30cm tall).


The pH controller unit comes with a built-in diaphragm pump powered by a brushless motor, with a PWM control pin for durability and consistent pressure output. (I've tested it — it even blew out the glue on a previous version of the reactor =)))