Building a bio reactor, couple questions...

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
So I picked up a 20 gallon brute can for the reactor. Do you guys think that will be big enough? I don't think I can fit the 32 gal one in with my setup. If this guy is big enough, how do I drill and install the bulkhead into it? There seems to be a semi flat spot under the handle, maybe I cut the handle off and try to drill it in there and silicone it? How much k1 would you suggest for this 20 gal can? And what about air pump?

uploadfromtaptalk1428014540660.jpg
uploadfromtaptalk1428014550012.jpg
uploadfromtaptalk1428014766366.jpg

I also found this sump pump container. It was 3x as expensive, but has a distinct flat spot i snapped a pic of to possibly put a bulkhead in. It is quite solid, however it is quite ribbed on the inside so i am wondering if this will be conducive to traffic jams? It's roughly same gallons i think, didn't say exactly, what do you guys think?

uploadfromtaptalk1428014564327.jpg
uploadfromtaptalk1428014573770.jpg

Sent from my Z10 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
 
Possibly could fit 1.5 cuft of media in there. No need to cut a handle. Get a Sch80 bulkhead and it will seat perfectly fine to the can anywhere you put it.
uploadfromtaptalk1428017331860.jpg
Talk to Trevor about the ribbed one for sump pumps. He uses one. With enough airflow like the larger Easypro or Pondmaster I wouldn't worry about traffic jambs. You will have that media flying around in there.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
 
Oh right on, if it's just a matter of getting a proper bulkhead I'll just use the can and spend the money elsewhere. That's pretty sweet, 1.5 cuft, I'll keep it in mind for sure. What is your opinion on the size, would you go bigger if you were me?

uploadfromtaptalk1428018031950.jpg

The other one is wider which I can handle, but it is also 6 inches taller which will give me maybe 6 inches clearance room from the ceiling and i dont know how easy that will be to work with, the flex tubing you see going into the uv mounted on the wall is where I will T it off. System is 400 gallons, 90 gal wet/dry, drip system going, 3 leopoldi rays are all that's in there and I'll I'm really planning to keep. One just recently got knocked up, so I will have to start feeding more soon that's why I'm building this.

Sent from my Z10 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
 
One of the reasons a id is often used is that beneficial bacteria are reported to be most robust an a dark environment. That said, my bioreactor is made from clear PVC and doesn't have a lid. I keep a scrubby under the initial flow to collect debris, and I try to rinse it at least every other day. For media I use lava rock.



The slower you run water thru your UV, the better, its the contact time with ight that does the job. A few hundred gph may even be to fast to actually have a significan kill ratio.
 
That's an interesting one duanes. Never thought about BB being like a mushroom. Keep em in the dark and feed them lots of ..... lol.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
 
So what do you guys think, is the 20 gallon too small to even be worth it? 70 liters in there, 50 liters of k1 will do then? I would like to order my pump and media this weekend, for the 20 gal with 50 liters what pump would everyone suggest, and what kinds diffusers/air stones? And silent Bob made a good point about there not being drains on acrylic tank moving beds, but i thought the dead media would fall off according to the thread in the ray section, anyone else have input on a bottom drain?

Sent from my Z10 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
 
Think I'm going to upgrade to the 32 gallon. Trying to locate the media and an epw4. I'll figure out the air stones and diffuser after that cuz some of the epw4 come with a kit that includes some. Only real thing I can't figure out is the drain at the bottom.

uploadfromtaptalk1428100715554.jpg
uploadfromtaptalk1428100746684.jpg

This is how the bottom of the can looks. From the looks of things I would have to put it as low as I can on the side wall, and maybe have a 90 degree barb on the inside touching the bottom of that recess on an angle. I can't help but feel like that will only get a fraction of the gunk from that side but won't gather it from where it accumulates around the recess away from the drain. Anyone have any thoughts? Maybe I slightly tip the can towards the drain so more builds up there?

I have so many other bulkheads, pita to order sch80 now.

Sent from my Z10 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
 
uploadfromtaptalk1428179809004.jpg

Upgraded to the bigger one. Fits like a glove. Waiting to hear back from stoney creek, aquatic economy, and a local pond shop for media and air pump quotes. Once I get those, let the ordering begin. If I'm lucky I can start building next weekend. Looking forward to get my hands (and floor) wet. Also decided to forgo the drain at the bottom for the time being. I figure worst case I siphon for now if needed, and if it really is a problem I'll add one later.

Sent from my Z10 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
 
Pump ordered, pondmaster ap100, hope mid next week to get it.
50 liters of k1 acquired. Don't see why I wouldn't use it all.

What sort of fine tuning should I expect to do to get it to boil where I want?

Sent from my Z10 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom