My xP3 Internal CO2 Reactor.

tropicalfish

Junior Poster
Apr 4, 2007
6
0
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This is my xP3 CO2 reactor. The water comes in from the output and swirls into the bottle. Co2 comes into the top of the of the bottle. The swirling water goes into the bottom of the bottle, into the pipe, and out into the spraybar. The bottle is about 6 inches long, 2 inches wide.
Please tell me if it is good. Also, which way should the spraybar point? Should CO2 enter into the hole on the flow adjuster or into the top of the bottle?

Here are the pictures.
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r183/mrairplaneman777/IMG_0390.jpg
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r183/mrairplaneman777/IMG_0391.jpg
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r183/mrairplaneman777/IMG_0392.jpg
 

SpongeBob SquarePlants

Prolific Poster
Dec 11, 2006
35
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I've built a few home made CO2 reactors and I've always done it like this:

Water flows into the top of the reactor and out the bottom.
I always fill my reactors with bio-balls
The CO2 enters the reactor from the top and travels down a tube to the bottom
As CO2 flows into the top of the reactor, it bubbles out the bottom of the tube
The bubbles travel up to the top of the reactor
The rushing water mixes the with the CO2 as it flows over the bio-balls and out into the tank.

I also have never mounted my reactor inside the tank like that. I use pvc and make a 180* elbow up and inside the tank to a spray bar. I mounted my spray bar near the bottom at the gravel and angled the ports slightly upward.

Is that black electrical tape on the pipe there? I know that tape does not like water too much.
 

tropicalfish

Junior Poster
Apr 4, 2007
6
0
1
Well, this idea is over... Tested it in the bathtub, water squirted everywhere, the silicone busted, the pipe flew out, water everywhere. I think I will make a gravel vac CO2 reactor with a powerhead and operate the filter normally... :(
 

VaughnH

Lifetime Charter Member
Lifetime Member
Jan 24, 2005
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Sacramento, CA
I'm sorry the reactor didn't work out well. Have you considered making an external reactor, hidden out of sight below the tank? Those work very well unless you want CO2 mist in the tank.