Another DIY CO2 Reactor - Aquarium Advice

CHBGator · 09-03-2006, 12:10 PM

Yes another DIY CO2 Reactor.

Parts list
12" of 2" PVC Pipe
2x 2" to 1/2 Reducer
2x 1/2" hose barb
2x 2" Couplers
Silicon Tubing
Fine to medium Airstone
Aquarium Safe Silicone Sealer
Check Valve

1) I cleaned all the Pieces! who knows what gets on this stuff from the store.
2) I drilled a 1/4" hole in the end of one of the reducers stuck the Silicon tubing into the hole and attached the airstone into the tubing on the other side and pushed it back into the drilled hole. When the fitting for the airstone is pushed into the tubing it obviously expands the tubing so I pulled the tubing as if I were trying to pull it out of the Reducer which made a very tight and snug fit. I then added some silicone sealer to the outside to make sure there were no leaks.

The rest is just as easy.

I used silicone sealer rather than buying PVC primer and cement. The pieces already fit together very tight. I made a very generous bead of sealer to the hose barb where it goes into the reducer then put it in place and used my finger to smooth out the excess silicone on the inside and outside of the reducer.

Then I made a good size bead of silicone sealer on the inside of the couplers enough to where when you pushed the coupler and the Reducer together that there would be a good bit squeezed through on the inside. I then used my finger again to smooth out the excess sealer on the inside and added a small bead to the outside where the 2 fit together.
Then I did the same for the 12" piece of pipe.

I didnt seal one side because I'm going to get some large bioballs to put on the inside of the reactor to further break up the CO2 bubbles. Here is what it looks like when all fit together.

wobbles · 09-04-2006, 03:46 AM

Nice work! It must be the season. I made one yesterday in the same way.

CHBGator · 09-04-2006, 12:35 PM

NICE!

Do you have anything inside yours and how well does OUR (lol) design work?

src · 09-04-2006, 12:47 PM

I used the same design, stuffed with small bio-balls. Works perfectly - no bubbles on the output at all.

wobbles · 09-05-2006, 04:21 AM

Yeah bio-balls. Best CO2 reactor ive ever used. Have to be careful not to put too much in there now!

09-03-2006, 12:10 PM	#1 (permalink)
CHBGator Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 99 Images: 2	Another DIY CO2 Reactor Yes another DIY CO2 Reactor. Parts list 12" of 2" PVC Pipe 2x 2" to 1/2 Reducer 2x 1/2" hose barb 2x 2" Couplers Silicon Tubing Fine to medium Airstone Aquarium Safe Silicone Sealer Check Valve 1) I cleaned all the Pieces! who knows what gets on this stuff from the store. 2) I drilled a 1/4" hole in the end of one of the reducers stuck the Silicon tubing into the hole and attached the airstone into the tubing on the other side and pushed it back into the drilled hole. When the fitting for the airstone is pushed into the tubing it obviously expands the tubing so I pulled the tubing as if I were trying to pull it out of the Reducer which made a very tight and snug fit. I then added some silicone sealer to the outside to make sure there were no leaks. The rest is just as easy. I used silicone sealer rather than buying PVC primer and cement. The pieces already fit together very tight. I made a very generous bead of sealer to the hose barb where it goes into the reducer then put it in place and used my finger to smooth out the excess silicone on the inside and outside of the reducer. Then I made a good size bead of silicone sealer on the inside of the couplers enough to where when you pushed the coupler and the Reducer together that there would be a good bit squeezed through on the inside. I then used my finger again to smooth out the excess sealer on the inside and added a small bead to the outside where the 2 fit together. Then I did the same for the 12" piece of pipe. I didnt seal one side because I'm going to get some large bioballs to put on the inside of the reactor to further break up the CO2 bubbles. Here is what it looks like when all fit together.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
DIY in-line CO2 Reactor	SparKy697	DIY Projects	17	06-06-2008 03:27 PM
DIY CO2 powered reactor	rkilling1	DIY Projects	0	11-10-2006 10:23 PM
DIY CO2 reactor question	tazcrash69	DIY Projects	1	11-09-2005 09:16 PM
DIY CO2 Reactor Formula	azn_fishy55	Freshwater & Brackish - Breeding	6	08-29-2005 03:25 PM
DIY CO2 reactor		Freshwater & Brackish - Planted Tanks	7	05-05-2004 07:06 PM

09-04-2006, 12:35 PM	#3 (permalink)
CHBGator Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 99 Images: 2	NICE! Do you have anything inside yours and how well does OUR (lol) design work?

09-04-2006, 12:47 PM	#4 (permalink)
src Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Richmond, Virginia Posts: 476	I used the same design, stuffed with small bio-balls. Works perfectly - no bubbles on the output at all.

09-05-2006, 04:21 AM	#5 (permalink)
wobbles Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Victoria Australia Posts: 69 Images: 10	Yeah bio-balls. Best CO2 reactor ive ever used. Have to be careful not to put too much in there now!