DIY inline CO2 reactor and Heater

Discussion in 'Planted Tank Equipment' started by Joachim Bates, Feb 19, 2019.

  1. Joachim Bates
    Offline

    Joachim Bates Green fingers

    • APSA Member
    9%
    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2015
    Messages:
    199
    Likes Received:
    74
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Location:
    Roodepoort, Gauteng
    Hi all,

    So I’ve been getting tired of in tank diffusing, I can’t handle the sprite plus my little tank is small so all the hits and pieces get in the way of enjoying it. I’ve been wanting an Inline heater for some time but they’re crazy expensive and I don’t see why I can’t just make one so below I’m sharing the journey. I’d like to find a better container, glass with a plastic lid but this will be fine for now.

    The outflow of my canister will enter the top of the chamber and be directed with a 90 degree elbow to create a circular current, the outlet is at the bottom to allow the CO2 time to dissolve. I’m considered putting a mini ceramic diffuser on the CO2 inlet in hopes it allows the CO2 to dissolve quicker. The heater is in the center to allow the current to be created with breaking it.

    Parts:
    Plumbers Market:
    1x tank adaptor
    1x 25mm plason connector
    1x 20mm elbow
    1x 20mm slip to threaded adaptor
    2x 15mm barbs with threads
    PVC Weld Glue
    Makro:
    1x container with sealing lid

    I [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    I still need to get a shot of it completed with inlet and outlet which I’ll do later today. It’s busy drying at the moment so when that’s done I’ll hook it up and explain my theory behind why I’ve done what I have


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  2. koganm
    Offline

    koganm Green fingers

    • APSA Member
    9%
    Joined:
    Jul 16, 2013
    Messages:
    287
    Likes Received:
    65
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Location:
    Alberton, JHB
    Excellent DIY skills bud. There is only problem with this specific design of the DIY inline heater, and that is, the thermostat is in the plastic housing on top. This means that the heater will not be sensing the temperature of the water, but rather the ambient room temp.

    To use the above design, you could add an external thermostat to the system, something like an stc 1000, and connect the heater to it (you can set the heater to max). The use case scenario would be: the stc 1000 will continuously sense the temp of the tank and as soon as the temp drops (you can set the desired levels), the stc 1000 will switch the heater on .

    Try not to use 90 degree bends as this reduces flow. Use 45 degree bends as much as possible. For your reactor, all you need is to fix a one way valve on the top of the canister for the CO2 in, some bio balls inside and that's it. No need for a diffuser or 90 degree bends at all.

    N.B the above mentioned one way valve is very very important on your CO2 application.

    Hope this helps...
     
    foo likes this.

Share This Page