I recently built a bio reactor to loop into my setup. It is still not 100% where I want it to be, but I thought I would share my concept and some details.
32 Gallon Brute Commercial Plastic Garbage Can - $40
50 L K1 Medi - $175
Pondmaster AP-100 Air Pump - $240
4x Alluminum Oxide Air Stones - $40
Plumbing Parts for diffuser + air line: $50
Plumbing Parts for can: $120
Total (including misc expenses): ~$675
I know everyone can probably get this cheaper, especially in the states, but I had to pay shipping and exchange on almost everything. I also went overkill, but I wanted this to be a solid unit for peace of mind.
Diffuser:
1x 3/4" MPT Barb
3x 3/4" PVC Tee's
5x 3/4" PVC Threaded adapters
4x 1/4" MPT Barb
4x 3/4" - 1/4" Threaded reducer
1' 3/4" PVC
4x 3"x1.5"x1.5" Aluminum Oxide Air Stones
1' 1/4" Air Line Tubing
Obviously PVC glue together, only used teflon (plumbers) tape on the threaded fittings for now.
Can:
2x 1.5" Schedule 80 Double Threaded Bulkhead Fittings
2x 1.5" MPT Barb
1x 1.5" 90 Degree Elbow Barb
3x 1.5" FPT to MPT PVC 90 Degre Elbow
1x Threaded Strainer
1x Threaded Low Profile Strainer
2x 1" MPT to 1.5" Barb
1x 1" PVC Ball Valve
1x Tee Barb
4' 1.5" Tubing
Used a hole saw to cut the holes for the bulkheads, worked really well. Bought the low profile strainer to swap with the other in case one causes traffic jams. Right now using it on output to stop media in case of back siphon. Bottom is input, I tee'd my existing line above wich was going to the UV sterilizer and put a ball valve on the input line, top one is overflow back into sump.
Finished product:
Day 1 media was floating and not boiling at all. Day 2 media was boiling violently. I don't know if I need to change the diffuser or weigh it down with more media, but it is boiling hard. I has been 3-4 weeks and still pure white and not seeded yet. Not sure about GPH through reactor, its small though, valve is open about 1/4. This is the work in progress for me, I will wait a bit longer to see if it seeds, if not I think either I need to add more media or dial back the air. Recommendations are welcome, sorry for the distorted pics first time posting after upgrade.
32 Gallon Brute Commercial Plastic Garbage Can - $40
50 L K1 Medi - $175
Pondmaster AP-100 Air Pump - $240
4x Alluminum Oxide Air Stones - $40
Plumbing Parts for diffuser + air line: $50
Plumbing Parts for can: $120
Total (including misc expenses): ~$675
I know everyone can probably get this cheaper, especially in the states, but I had to pay shipping and exchange on almost everything. I also went overkill, but I wanted this to be a solid unit for peace of mind.
Diffuser:
1x 3/4" MPT Barb
3x 3/4" PVC Tee's
5x 3/4" PVC Threaded adapters
4x 1/4" MPT Barb
4x 3/4" - 1/4" Threaded reducer
1' 3/4" PVC
4x 3"x1.5"x1.5" Aluminum Oxide Air Stones
1' 1/4" Air Line Tubing
Obviously PVC glue together, only used teflon (plumbers) tape on the threaded fittings for now.
Can:
2x 1.5" Schedule 80 Double Threaded Bulkhead Fittings
2x 1.5" MPT Barb
1x 1.5" 90 Degree Elbow Barb
3x 1.5" FPT to MPT PVC 90 Degre Elbow
1x Threaded Strainer
1x Threaded Low Profile Strainer
2x 1" MPT to 1.5" Barb
1x 1" PVC Ball Valve
1x Tee Barb
4' 1.5" Tubing
Used a hole saw to cut the holes for the bulkheads, worked really well. Bought the low profile strainer to swap with the other in case one causes traffic jams. Right now using it on output to stop media in case of back siphon. Bottom is input, I tee'd my existing line above wich was going to the UV sterilizer and put a ball valve on the input line, top one is overflow back into sump.
Finished product:
Day 1 media was floating and not boiling at all. Day 2 media was boiling violently. I don't know if I need to change the diffuser or weigh it down with more media, but it is boiling hard. I has been 3-4 weeks and still pure white and not seeded yet. Not sure about GPH through reactor, its small though, valve is open about 1/4. This is the work in progress for me, I will wait a bit longer to see if it seeds, if not I think either I need to add more media or dial back the air. Recommendations are welcome, sorry for the distorted pics first time posting after upgrade.
