I cant believe it

dallasg

dallasg

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I have been sourcing materials to build reactors, skimmers etc and cant believe how we fall short on raw materials here.
i mean perspex/acrylic tube and sheet is more expensive than gold. i have found a good supplier of plastic parts, screws, bolts etc, pumps i get from china, and yet i cant source cheap acrylic or perspex.... i might have to fly my own in...

i can see why equipment is so expensive, i mean to make a local range its un-affordable, but my quest to better this hobby will go on....

anyone have contacts for perspex or acrylic?

on a side note, do all reactors have to be clear? what about white with a viewable window?? same for skimmers
 
do all reactors have to be clear?
Click to expand...
Do all reactors have to be round? and made of perspex/acrylic?

What's wrong with square glass reactors, apart from the obvious weight, but if you're making for yourself then why not?
 
true,

would u consider an all in one sump that is configurable?
 
What do you mean with an all in one sump? Let me know what you need in respect to the perspex?
 
Dikdaan said:
What do you mean with an all in one sump? Let me know what you need in respect to the perspex?
Click to expand...
i have an idea i want to proto and need perspex sheets, can u get?
 
something like that, but upgradable etc

dikdaan, between 5mm and 10mm clear per sqm
 
Thanks
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Do all reactors have to be round? and made of perspex/acrylic?
Click to expand...

Better when round - because when square you get more flow upwards in the corners, Easier for water to flush the corners clean and clump whatever together in the middle.

But, why must the pump be fixed to one side sticking out so far and thereby increase the footprint. I see some new skimmers have the pump inside. BRILLIANT IDEA. But I just hope that it is not purposely made for a specific pump. Hopefully you can swap and use other cheaper / economical pump when the need arises.

Problem with a window into a solid tube, maybe on my setup the reactor must face the other way, then the window faces the backside of the tank and I cannot see. Like on a kalkwasser stirrer. So keep that in mind.

Another problem with see through reactors are that they should not have light falling on them. Else you end up with algae inside your skimmer (been there - done that).
 
Better when round - because when square you get more flow upwards in the corners
Click to expand...

Depends on the media, you will have clumping into the corners.

Bottom line, the flow will be unequal, as measured in the corners compared to the middle.

Why is everything else round. Swimming pool filters to Power station cooling towers.
 
dont get me started on lighting as well...
bugger me we are starved for choice.... that or these companies hide well
 
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