Inspried by a thread on Reef Central, I want to try out this DIY MaxiJet modification. It’s very easy considering you have all the tools to work with. The good thing about this mod is that you can actually change it back to original state of MJ powerhead if something is wrong or broken. The bad thing about this mod is that sometimes the prop. turn the wrong way. I just have to unplug and plug it back until I have the right direction. Some people can actually overcome this situation.
Part list:
- 3/32 S.S. rod (from hobby store or metal supermarket)
- 3/32 titanium rod (if you’d ‘be able to find one)
- silicone airline tubing (very small for coupling)
- rigid tube
- 1.5″ PVC/ABS pipe
- 1.5″ PVC/ABS cap
- all plastic boat propeller (from hobby store or Radioshack)
Update: when I put it in my 90G tank this blows too much and I am not really ready for it yet. I am gonna use this mod once I set up another new 120G tank in the future.
I was looking into couple of commercial calcium reactors but then later decided to go with DIY one. It saves me around 100 bucks and gives me a nice size calcium reactor. After a week in service it raises my KH level from 8 dKH to 11 dKH which really makes me happy already. I fill it with 16 lbs of A.R.M reactor media but still find out that it’s not enough. It would at least contain 20 lbs. The reactor is powered by Mag-Drive 5 Utility pump
I also bought 15 pound CO2 cylinder for the reactor and I know it’s gonna last at least a year. To control CO2 injection rate, I decided to get Milwakee MA975 CO2 regulator despite the fact that so many have problem with it controlling bubble rate. I guess it’s because the operating pressure is set too low. I set mine at about 20 psi.
As I had something in mind regarding DIY calcium reactor, I went out in the search for some material supply. I actually found some scrap arcylic sheets, and intended to buy some tools, glue, needle applicator… along the sides. So I went and brought these itmes to the counter. I requested these arcylic sheets to be cut to the size I need. The guy said “No, I don’t cut them. They are sold as-is… blah blah blah…” So what am I gonna go with them if they’re not cut to the size I need? I don’t have specific tools to work with arcylic and therefore can’t make the perfect join with glue at the seams. So I decided not to buy anything and just stormed out of the store.
That’s an opening story on how I went to Big A’s Store located in North York area just to check things out. I ended up buying a educational kit to hatch baby brine shrimp. Live baby brine shrimps are the good source of food for corals. The hatvhing kit seems promissing. Oh man, I should have bought this kit long time ago to feed porcelain crabs that I had long ago. I think they are all dead and extinct now.
I am so much in the need of a decent calcium reactor which helps to maintain both Calcium and Alkalinity levels in the reef tank. The reason is that I can’t seem to keep up with addition of limewater to the tank as evaporated water. My tank evaporation rate is about 2-3G daily which involes a lot of mixing and dripping and again mixing and dripping. I am getting so lazy nowadays. I really don’t mind doing this but I have to admit to myself that this is a tedious job. Therefor, I need a change….
I have been doing a lot of research on calcium reactor for a reef tank in the last couple days and it seems easy to make. I was even actually considering a DIY project. But on the second thought considering how much time and money involved, I’d rather buy it brand new since I don’t have enough appropriate tools.
Right now, I really set my eyes on the GEO 612 or PM CR422 calcium reactor The whole setup for this new calcium reactor is roughly set me back about $600-900 bucks short. But in the long run, it might be even out with what I am currently doing.
