Co2 Reactor for a 550 gallon tank flow question

[jazzlvr123]

Heres a Venturi style 24"x2" PVC Co2 Reactor Connected to a mag 12 (120 GPH) that I built for a tank (There's about 20 Bioballs inside) I have yet to visit the client since I installed it however I hope it will be sufficient in the high Co2 Demands of this particular tank.

I keep the ball vale kinked off slightly reducing the flow of the mag 12 powering it, I am actually unsure of what the recommended flow rate is for something like this would be so im kind of playing it by ear ATM.

I kind of regret not using clear PVC due to time restraints, I'll Let you know how it works out for me, Please any comments/ suggestions are helpful. Best, Kyle

 

[nipat]

Not sure, but it seems the diameter is not large enough.
From my experience, putting bioballs or some obstructions in it
decreases dissolving rate. Either the bubbles will hide behind the objects
and getting bigger or the current in free space areas between objects
are too strong, pushing the bubbles out of the reactor prematurely.

 

[Gerryd]

Hi,

I think (not sure) you can calculate the flow INTO the reactor simply based on the pipe diameter size.. it looks like 1" into the reactor, but that elbow at the top of the LONG uphill climb bother me a lot..

I agree with Nipat that it should be wider....I have seen pics of Oliver Knott setups for large tanks and the reactors are much larger diameter almost like a canister filter.

With such a LONG reactor, I would think that higher flow would be vital. Not sure I can recommend for such a larger device and tank..

Plus, does the c02 water come out the bottom directly into the sump? Does this get picked up immediately by the sump pump? If not, the water level is low and c02 could easily escape based on the second picture. Make sense???

 

[jazzlvr123]

I was considering using 3" pipe, i am going to buy some clear 3" pipe and do a rebuild if this proves insufficient, I'm actually visiting the client today to see how this current setup is working

 

[jerrybforl]

I agree with Gerry D. I've used these before minus the elbow smaller side and you need a higher flow rate to break up the CO2 over the bioballs. The CO2 churns over the bio balls and will work great. Just need that high flow rate. Also not sure about sizes but mine was thick. Big bioballs were placed inside of it.

 

[Tom Barr]

I was considering using 3" pipe, i am going to buy some clear 3" pipe and do a rebuild if this proves insufficient, I'm actually visiting the client today to see how this current setup is working

With a sump etc, you could have bought an octopus etc needle wheel and simply feed the output into the return where the mist would be atomized again and then travel 5-8 ft etc back to the tank.
Should not matter too much, the Mag 12 is plenty, they offer needle wheel impellers for mag 12 also.