Re: [APD] RE: CO2 Saturation

["David Terrell" <Dave at terrellclan_com>]

Douglass,

Yes, I considered all the alternatives to decrease flow.  Increasing the
length isn't practical in my case, there isn't so much head room under the
tank to work with.  Already the reactor is 14" tall and 2" cross, the flow
from my 750gph was simply too high.  Decreasing the flow by splitting and
restricting that branch was about the only alternative I had in this case.
My wife was talking to me about replacing my home-made reactor with a
commercial one later down the road, perhaps then I'll be able to keep the
flow up and still get good results, I just don't know that there's too much
difference.  Also, those are rated for certain pumps, some sold with the
pumps to use, perhaps I've just obtained  those results with the T'd flow.
The only thing I wonder is with the decreased flow mixing back into higher
flow water, is there really high enough volume of saturated water?  I guess
I'll find out soon.

Thanks,
Dave

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Douglas Guynn" <d_guynn at sbcglobal.net>
To: "Aquatic Plants Mailing List" <aquatic-plants at actwin_com>
Sent: Saturday, February 28, 2004 1:31 PM
Subject: [APD] RE: CO2 Saturation


> > David Terrell" <Dave at TerrellClan_com> wrote:
> >
> >>I had posted the original question to the APD, wondering if the
> reactor
> > would be too short for the flow.<<
> >
> If a reactor is allowing bubbles to pass through, the most sensible
solution
> for us is to provide more "residence time" in the reactor. This is
generally
> accomplished in one of two ways.
>
> The first is to increase the length of the reactor. This is how Hagens CO2
> Natural Plant System
>
(http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=8981&R=6309&N
> =2004+2021+113565&in_merch=1) operates. Residence time in the reactor is
> increased by lengthening the distance the CO2 bubble must travel before
> exiting. You can do this in your setup by replacing the reactor you have
> with 20 or 30 feet of 1/2 inch or larger hose or tubing. Not a very
> practical solution for most.
>
> The second is to decrease the water velocity through the reactor. With
lower
> velocities, the bubbles can overcome the downward pressure of the water
> flow, and remain in the reactor until dissolved [Please note the
difference
> between velocity, measured in distance per unit of time (typically feet
per
> second) and flow, measured in volume per unit of time (typically gallons
per
> minute).] One way to decrease velocity is, as you have done, to decrease
the
> flow rate. This works well, unless you wish to maintain the flow rate as
> high as possible. Another way to decrease velocity is to increase the
> diameter of the reactor. In this solution, the flow rate remains high,
while
> the velocity of the water in the reactor is decreased due to increased
cross
> section. This is the method I use. It results in a highly efficient and
> fairly compact reactor.
>
> My reactor is made of clear PVC, is about 12-inches in length, and
2-inches
> in diameter. It is placed in the inlet tubing of my Fluval 303. There are
no
> bioballs, or anything else inside the reactor. The CO2 is injected at the
> top of the reactor, and stays there until dissolved in the water. It could
> probably be as short as 3 or 4 inches. I have no problem with free CO2 in
> the filter.
>
> Just something to think about after you move.
>
>
> Douglas Guynn
> 432.368.5411
> d_guynn at sbcglobal.net
>
> A government big enough to give you everything you want is big enough to
> take everything you have. - Barry Goldwater
>


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