Cheap DIY Reactor With Clear PVC

Kalk is needed for coral and clams to grow in your fish tank. With a cheap do-it-yourself reactor with clear PVC, coral and clams are provided calcium by the kalk and can build healthy shells and continue to grow. There is not enough calcium in normal aquarium water. A kalk reactor supplements the aquarium with additional calcium. Clear PVC is recommended to monitor the water levels in the reactor.

Things You'll Need

• 4-inch diameter clear PVC pipe, 2-foot length
• 1/2-inch PVC pipe, 1-foot length
• Hand saw
• Power drill
• 1/2-inch drill bit
• Silicone tape
• 1/2-inch plastic tube
• Fresh water tank
• 1/2-inch-diameter faucet
• Aquarium-safe clear caulk
• 4-inch-diameter PVC cap
• Lime

Instructions

1. Make the base of the kalk reactor. Cut a 4-inch diameter clear PVC pipe, using a hand saw. Make the input and output pipe. Cut a 1/2-inch diameter PVC pipe to two pieces with 6-inch lengths, using a hand saw.

2. Make the input hole. Drill a 1/2-inch hole into the side of the PVC pipe, using a power drill and 1/2-inch drill bit. Position the hole 2 inches from the end of the PVC pipe. Make the output hole. Drill a 1/2-inch hole into the opposite side of the PVC pipe, using a power drill and 1/2-inch drill bit. Position the hole 2 inches from the opposite end of the PVC pipe.

3. Wrap the center of the input pipe with four layers of silicone tape. Insert the input pipe into the input hole. Half of the input pipe extends from outside the base and half of the input pipe extends inside the base. The silicone layers prevent water from leaking from the pipe.

4. Insert a plastic tube into the end of the input pipe. Insert the other end of the tube into the output hole of the fresh water reservoir tank. Position the reservoir tank above the kalk reactor.

5. Wrap the center and end of the output pipe with four layers of silicone tape. Insert the untapped end of the output pipe into the output hole. Half of the output pipe extends from outside the base and half of the output pipe extends inside the base. The silicone layers prevent water from leaking from the pipe.

6. Insert a 1/2-inch diameter faucet over the taped end of the output pipe. Position the open end of the elbow downwards.

7. Apply aquarium-safe clear caulk on the interior edges of the PVC cap. Insert one end of the PVC pipe into the PVC cap and press them together. Let the caulk dry for five hours.

8. Add 1 teaspoon of lime per gallon of water into the PVC pipe. The lime mixes with the fresh water creating kalk. Place the output hole over the inside of the aquarium to provide the aquarium with kalk.

Tips & Warnings

• Adjust the knob on the faucet. It should only drip a few drops of kalk water.