Adding a 2nd CO2 reactor

[Pete]

I currently have an Aqua Medic 500 reactor in 1 corner of my tank
driven by my Eheim 2217.
I'm losing some CO2 from the base of the reactor, so I'm going to add
a 2nd reactor which I'll put in the other corner to help with CO2
distribution.

I've ordered the Aqua Medic reactor 500M - same as the 500 but with
its own pump.

I'm hoping (!) that I can just cut the CO2 hose that comes from the
needle valve and insert a 2-gang adjustable air valve (the little
green plastic ones with screw tops, used with air pumps) so I can
split the CO2 between the reactors.
Is this method OK?

Thanks
Pete

[Bill Stock]

"Pete" > wrote in message
...
>I currently have an Aqua Medic 500 reactor in 1 corner of my tank
> driven by my Eheim 2217.
> I'm losing some CO2 from the base of the reactor, so I'm going to add
> a 2nd reactor which I'll put in the other corner to help with CO2
> distribution.
>
> I've ordered the Aqua Medic reactor 500M - same as the 500 but with
> its own pump.
>
> I'm hoping (!) that I can just cut the CO2 hose that comes from the
> needle valve and insert a 2-gang adjustable air valve (the little
> green plastic ones with screw tops, used with air pumps) so I can
> split the CO2 between the reactors.
> Is this method OK?
>
> Thanks
> Pete


I've got two powerheads (RUGF) with CO2 attached to the venturi input and a
gang valve between the CO2 tank and the powerheads. It doesn't really work
that well, as the CO2 is not distributed very evenly. It seems to go to one
side or the other, dependant upon which pump has the better suction at the
time. I was wondering if some check valves after the gang valve might help,
but I doubt it.

[Pete]

On Sat, 26 Aug 2006 12:40:33 -0400, "Bill Stock" >
wrote:

>
>"Pete" > wrote in message
...
>>I currently have an Aqua Medic 500 reactor in 1 corner of my tank
>> driven by my Eheim 2217.
>> I'm losing some CO2 from the base of the reactor, so I'm going to add
>> a 2nd reactor which I'll put in the other corner to help with CO2
>> distribution.
>>
>> I've ordered the Aqua Medic reactor 500M - same as the 500 but with
>> its own pump.
>>
>> I'm hoping (!) that I can just cut the CO2 hose that comes from the
>> needle valve and insert a 2-gang adjustable air valve (the little
>> green plastic ones with screw tops, used with air pumps) so I can
>> split the CO2 between the reactors.
>> Is this method OK?
>>
>> Thanks
>> Pete
>
>
>I've got two powerheads (RUGF) with CO2 attached to the venturi input and a
>gang valve between the CO2 tank and the powerheads. It doesn't really work
>that well, as the CO2 is not distributed very evenly. It seems to go to one
>side or the other, dependant upon which pump has the better suction at the
>time. I was wondering if some check valves after the gang valve might help,
>but I doubt it.
>
>
Thanks Bill

I'm putting in a 2nd reactor as the single reactor just looses a few
bubbles. I'm not overly concerned about getting 50% out of each
reactor. So long as I get something under 100% out of reactor 1 and
something out of reactor 2 then I'll have achieved my goal.

Do you think that'll work?

Thanks again
Pete

[Bill Stock]

"Pete" > wrote in message
...
> On Sat, 26 Aug 2006 12:40:33 -0400, "Bill Stock" >
> wrote:
>
>>
>>"Pete" > wrote in message
...
>>>I currently have an Aqua Medic 500 reactor in 1 corner of my tank
>>> driven by my Eheim 2217.
>>> I'm losing some CO2 from the base of the reactor, so I'm going to add
>>> a 2nd reactor which I'll put in the other corner to help with CO2
>>> distribution.
>>>
>>> I've ordered the Aqua Medic reactor 500M - same as the 500 but with
>>> its own pump.
>>>
>>> I'm hoping (!) that I can just cut the CO2 hose that comes from the
>>> needle valve and insert a 2-gang adjustable air valve (the little
>>> green plastic ones with screw tops, used with air pumps) so I can
>>> split the CO2 between the reactors.
>>> Is this method OK?
>>>
>>> Thanks
>>> Pete
>>
>>
>>I've got two powerheads (RUGF) with CO2 attached to the venturi input and
>>a
>>gang valve between the CO2 tank and the powerheads. It doesn't really work
>>that well, as the CO2 is not distributed very evenly. It seems to go to
>>one
>>side or the other, dependant upon which pump has the better suction at the
>>time. I was wondering if some check valves after the gang valve might
>>help,
>>but I doubt it.
>>
>>
> Thanks Bill
>
> I'm putting in a 2nd reactor as the single reactor just looses a few
> bubbles. I'm not overly concerned about getting 50% out of each
> reactor. So long as I get something under 100% out of reactor 1 and
> something out of reactor 2 then I'll have achieved my goal.
>
> Do you think that'll work?
>
> Thanks again
> Pete

I've found with mine that it tends to be all or nothing to each powerhead.
But I haven't cranked up the bubble count either, as I'm a little concerned
about a failure emptying my CO2 tank. I'm sure if you experiment you'll get
better results.

[Pete]

Hi Bill
I had a reply on another furum that may be of interest.
I'll have a go with a Y junction and clamps, but will probably take
this route.....

Best wishes
Pete

Here is the message that has just been posted:
***************
Manifold configured to run in-line $13
Needle valves are $14 each.

Shipping would run about $4-$5.
***************
Read my Guide http://www.rexgrigg.com Caution contains content that
will offend sensitive people. Rated PG-13 at the worst.






On Sun, 27 Aug 2006 00:23:38 -0400, "Bill Stock" >
wrote:

>
>"Pete" > wrote in message
...
>> On Sat, 26 Aug 2006 12:40:33 -0400, "Bill Stock" >
>> wrote:
>>
>>>
>>>"Pete" > wrote in message
...
>>>>I currently have an Aqua Medic 500 reactor in 1 corner of my tank
>>>> driven by my Eheim 2217.
>>>> I'm losing some CO2 from the base of the reactor, so I'm going to add
>>>> a 2nd reactor which I'll put in the other corner to help with CO2
>>>> distribution.
>>>>
>>>> I've ordered the Aqua Medic reactor 500M - same as the 500 but with
>>>> its own pump.
>>>>
>>>> I'm hoping (!) that I can just cut the CO2 hose that comes from the
>>>> needle valve and insert a 2-gang adjustable air valve (the little
>>>> green plastic ones with screw tops, used with air pumps) so I can
>>>> split the CO2 between the reactors.
>>>> Is this method OK?
>>>>
>>>> Thanks
>>>> Pete
>>>
>>>
>>>I've got two powerheads (RUGF) with CO2 attached to the venturi input and
>>>a
>>>gang valve between the CO2 tank and the powerheads. It doesn't really work
>>>that well, as the CO2 is not distributed very evenly. It seems to go to
>>>one
>>>side or the other, dependant upon which pump has the better suction at the
>>>time. I was wondering if some check valves after the gang valve might
>>>help,
>>>but I doubt it.
>>>
>>>
>> Thanks Bill
>>
>> I'm putting in a 2nd reactor as the single reactor just looses a few
>> bubbles. I'm not overly concerned about getting 50% out of each
>> reactor. So long as I get something under 100% out of reactor 1 and
>> something out of reactor 2 then I'll have achieved my goal.
>>
>> Do you think that'll work?
>>
>> Thanks again
>> Pete
>
>I've found with mine that it tends to be all or nothing to each powerhead.
>But I haven't cranked up the bubble count either, as I'm a little concerned
>about a failure emptying my CO2 tank. I'm sure if you experiment you'll get
>better results.
>