Help with AM1000 reactor

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dogdoc

Large Fish
#1
Sep 6, 2005
393
1
0
#1
Alright, the day has finally arrived. At last, I have obtained all the parts/pieces to set up my CO2 system.

AAAARRRRGGGGGHHHH. I hit a roadblock almost as soon as I started. I was planning on mounting my Aquamedic 1000 reactor inside my stand and plumbing it into the return from my Rena XP3. I got out the bracket that is supplied (which is designed for mounting to the back of the tank HOB style), and realized that I can not figure out how. The bracket itself has an L shaped part on top that won't allow it to mount flat. I thought about just going ahead and mounting on the back of the tank, but then realized I would face problems with the hoses kinking since they have to travel from the filter to the top of the reactor.

I'm mechanically stupid. Someone help me please.
 

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dogdoc

Large Fish
#5
Sep 6, 2005
393
1
0
#5
O.K. I'll try. I'm trying to plumb an Aquamedic CO2 reactor into the return line of my XP3. I have all of the necessary hoses, clamps etc.

I have two things that are causing me a headache..

1) If I hang the reactor on the back of the tank (as the mounting bracket was designed for), then I will have the return tubing from my filter going to to top of the reactor. Essentially, I will have an upside down U of just return hose with no support. I think that the weight of the hose itself will cause kinking.

2) My original plan was to mount the reactor inside the stand near the filter. I could use a short length of hose to run from my filter input to the top of the reactor. However, the mounting bracket does not seem to be designed for this. It has a flat vertical plate where the "arms" that hold the reactor go. But it also has a T shaped section on the top that is supposed to hang over the lip of the tank. The T section prevents me from being able to mount it flat to the wood inside the stand and can't be removed.
 

Orion

Orion

Ultimate Fish
Moderator
#6
Feb 10, 2003
5,803
3
38
Kentucky
www.thefishcave.net
#6
Why would you want to run the hose from the filter to the top of the reactor? Your right that the tubes will kink if left like that.

I would think that all you would need to do is from the return line on the filter, run it to the bottom of the reactor, then more tube on the top of the reactor to return the water to the tank. I wouldn't think that the reactor is so heavy that the tubes couldn't support the weight.

If it is to heavy they make zip-tie's that have a place on the end for a screw to go. Put about three zip-ties around the reactor, and then secure them to the stand in a way that gives you the least amount of restriction in the hose's.
 

T

TheMainer

Large Fish
#7
Sep 3, 2005
207
2
0
#7
I believe the purpose of the reactor is for the water to be forced down past the CO2 entering at the bottom (same idea as the DIY powerhead reactor you can make). If the filter return is attached to the bottom of the reactor, the water and the CO2 will travel in the same direction and go directly into the tank. I don't believe this will help disolve the CO2 that well.
 

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dogdoc

Large Fish
#9
Sep 6, 2005
393
1
0
#9
Actually, I think that if I can find out how to mount it in the stand itself, I won't face the kinking problem. Also seems better aesthetically to have it underneath. Just can't figure out how to do it with the darn bracket. I have seen pics of these darn things mounted in the stand though, so I know it can be done.

Kinda funny, I ordered most of the parts from aquariumplants.com. I was going to get their whole system which includes a powered reactor, but I had read really good things about the AM 1000. Now I wish I had just ordered their kit.
 

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