DIY Aquarium

Continous Feed Reactor

by geroge resing

Here's my version of an airtight, continuous feed calcium hydroxide mixing chamber. Mine is square and made of acrylic scrap. Total cost of acrylic was about a dollar per side, or about $6 to $8. Dimensions are 5 1/4' x 5 1/4' x 24' tall. I put the pump on the inside. The pump slides onto a cleat on the inside of the chamber. The cord runs out through a bulkhead. The top of the reactor is removable for servicing the pump and is sealed with a homemade square rubber gasket. Kalk is added through a pop-top soda bottle cap. I cut the top off a soda bottle and epoxy'ed it into a hole in the

top. I use anelevated purified water reservoir to provide the head pressure and the drip is regulated with a plastic air valve. I put some triangles in the bottom of the chamber to create a roundish bottom. The pump is on a timer and runs for a few minutes four times per day. I used a 'tap' to cut pipe threads into the sides of the chamber and screwed in the nipples for the purified water in and kalkwasser out. No leaks!