Taking the plunge...

[Dez]

Well, I'm finally taking the plunge and I'm going to build a Calcium Reactor. I've got access to C02 and the valves and bubble counter already, so it's just the reactor itself I need to build. I only have 4.5 inches behind my tank (which is where everything is going)...my CO2 container does fit behind there... I have a few questions...

1. Who has tried both the upflow and downflow type reactors and what are the advantages and disadvantages?

2. Does the type of media used really matter (Aragonite vs. the commercial type stuff made for reactors)

3. I've seen many different designs with CO2 and the water from sump coming in from the intake of the pump.... and others with the CO2 coming in from different parts of the reactor... Does any of this make a difference?

4. For a 4 inch reactor (not sure if I'm going round or square yet)...how tall should it be)

5. Who's running a dual chamber reactor with a single pass on the second chamber. I'm leaning toward this design myself, but is it worth the effort for that single pass?

6. Should the feed from the sump be drawn from the intake of the recirc pump, or should there be another powerhead to feed the reactor, or should it be a siphon?

Thanks for all your time....I'd just like to do it right from other's experience.

Thank you so much...

Des