Co2 Reactor Help.

[spencernw]

I bought a 24inch "NA Advanced Co2 Reactor (Built-in Bypass Valve)" from NilocG for my 125g tank. I tried it with an external pump previously but wasn't able to get it working. I decided to give it another try with my fluval fx4 outflow. It was on for about 5 hours and ph only dropped .2 points. I tried to increase the co2 each hour to get it dropping more. By the 5th hour there were many bubbles in the reactor but ph still was not dropping. Any suggestions to get this working? I have the bypass valve closed currently and do not see any bubbles exit the reactor. Do i need to start it more than 5 hours earlier? I've been using an inline diffuser prior but Im not a fan of the bubbles.

I cant find much information online about reactors and hwo to troubleshoot. Any info is appreciated.

 

[Count Krunk]

is returning it an option? I would greatly suggest building a yugang co2 reactor.

 

[spencernw]

is returning it an option? I would greatly suggest building a yugang co2 reactor.

Where can I find instructions to build this? Looking on the forums I found a post with a link but it was a dead end. Many thanks!

 

[Yugang]

I bought a 24inch "NA Advanced Co2 Reactor (Built-in Bypass Valve)" from NilocG for my 125g tank.

I've used and tested a vertical bubble reactor like yours for a couple of years, and was always frustrated that despite many years of their use in the hobby there is no guidance, no calculations for correct dimensions for a given tank size and targeted pH drop, or operating instructions for them to work best (optimum absorption efficiency, no mist, no noise, minimum pressure loss). My instincts tell me it will be a stretch for your reactor to push 1.0 pH drop in a 125 gallon tank, yet not impossible.

I recently posted how I used to optimise my bubble reactor, you may try this and find if you can get close enough to your target pH drop.

If you want to use Horizontal (Yugang) reactor let me now if you want me to double check your calculations or your design. I am always happy to help.

 

[Unexpected]

Try running it horizontal like a Yugang reactor and see how it does. It’s difficult to see the openings but would probably work better than its designed vertical setup.

 

[QueenB62]

I've used and tested a vertical bubble reactor like yours for a couple of years, and was always frustrated that despite many years of their use in the hobby there is no guidance, no calculations for correct dimensions for a given tank size and targeted pH drop, or operating instructions for them to work best (optimum absorption efficiency, no mist, no noise, minimum pressure loss). My instincts tell me it will be a stretch for your reactor to push 1.0 pH drop in a 125 gallon tank, yet not impossible.

I recently posted how I used to optimise my bubble reactor, you may try this and find if you can get close enough to your target pH drop.

If you want to use Horizontal (Yugang) reactor let me now if you want me to double check your calculations or your design. I am always happy to help.

Hi new here and I’m trying to find out and understand how to set up the acrylic yugang reactor to my 90P (75gallon approx) tank running a FX6 this is the only forum I’ve been able to find info about it and I’m so confused:
1) is the acrylic yugang my best option?
2) do I need a bypass?
3)what is the best way to set this up?
4)would it be smart to run a separate pump for the reactor, if so how?
These are the first basic questions I have and once I understand this I’ll need help understanding bubble count/ dispersion flow and best safety precautions for my fish. Help….. please and thank you

 

[techman81]

Hi new here and I’m trying to find out and understand how to set up the acrylic yugang reactor to my 90P (75gallon approx) tank running a FX6 this is the only forum I’ve been able to find info about it and I’m so confused:
1) is the acrylic yugang my best option?
2) do I need a bypass?
3)what is the best way to set this up?
4)would it be smart to run a separate pump for the reactor, if so how?
These are the first basic questions I have and once I understand this I’ll need help understanding bubble count/ dispersion flow and best safety precautions for my fish. Help….. please and thank you

Best place to start is here: Yugang Reactor: A Guide

As you read through that and have questions, there are many here who can help.

 

[Pepere]

I love the Yugang horizontal reactor. I made one for my 75 gallon and after a month of using it I made 3 more and pulled my inline difusers.

Love having no more sprite water. Love having exceedingly stable co2, really really love not ever having to bleach and dechlor diffuser elements anymore…

Each one cost me about $35.00. Whether you need one for a 125 gallon or a 20 gallon the price is nearly the same…

Noiseless. No moving parts… no maintenance. Substantial protection against injecting too much co2…

I cant praise the design enough.

Here are two I built for my two 29 gallon tanks.

The 75 gallon model simply uses a longer center pipe section.

 

[TRyan]

I love my home-made horizontal Yugang reactor as well. There are a bunch of different ways to reach the same result as far as different fittings and mounting options. Here's mine.

 

[Naturescapes_Rocco]

1) is the acrylic yugang my best option?

Best for what? It's an option, that's for sure. Price, DIY effort, size, etc all come into play. We need more info!

2) do I need a bypass?

No. In fact, I'd guess that 80% of tanks with a reactor wouldn't really benefit. Only tanks with crazy high flow might need a bypass.

3)what is the best way to set this up?

Easiest to set up and test without fish/shrimp/snails. Run CO2 overnight or longer and test with a Hanna CO2 test kit, or check your drop checkers. Aim for lime green drop checkers, and between 25-35ppm CO2 with the Hanna test kit. This should be reached 6-8 hours or more of continuous use.

4)would it be smart to run a separate pump for the reactor, if so how?

No need!

 

[hamfist]

I suspect you will be needing a bypass circuit. THe FX 6 output is claimed at 3500 lph. Thats a lot of flow, even if its only really achieving 2/3 of that.

I have a 5x52.5cm reactor for a 450 litre tank and find that the output from a simply EHeim 2217 (around 1000 lph) has way too much flow for the reactor. If run with no bypass it creates a lot of noise and turbulence at the inflow within the reactor. Also, and probably more importantly, it creates a whilrlpool type suction effect at the outflow of the reactor, dragging CO2 gas from the air bubble down underwater to the outflow hole. When this happen you get much less control over the actual water level within the reactor. It also causes (again) a lot more extra noise.
Certainly try it without (I suspect a shorter but wider reactor might be an advantage at higher flow) but I strongly suspect you will need an adjustable bypass circuit.

Like others I would direct you to Yugang CO2 Reactor - A Guide . Which contains all the info you will probably need.