Aqua Medic Reactor 500 Manual

<< CO2 reactor 500 <<
Use this reactor to replace CO2 loss in freshwater or saltwater. This reactor has been designed for
underwater operation only. Read and follow all instructions in this leaflet carefully for best results.
fig 2: reactor
1. CO2- reactor
2. flow adjustion valve
3. rubber sucker
4. lid with inner pipe
5. bottom lid
6. spiral tube
7. closing cap
8. water connection
9. CO2connection
10. spare port
11. adjudtion valve
technical characteristics
unit CO2
art no: 71111
CO2- connection port: 9 mm
CO2input tube connection 6 /4 mm, (1/4“)
water flow min 500l/h ( 125 gph),
max 1000 l/h (250 gph)
holding system rubber sucker
The unit is designed for aquariums up to 500 l ( 120 gal) and 10°KH (4 mmol alcalinity). It can be
increased with up to 4 enlargements. Each enlagrement will increase the capacity for 300 l (80 gal).

Reactor tube assembly:
1. Attach both suction cups (3)
2. slide output adapter onto water output connection
Hint: The adapter can also be attached to the water output connection with a piece of hose to
lower the position of th unit in the aquarium.
3. Attach filter or circulating pump outlet with a piece of hose to the output adapter
tube. Minimum output for the circulation device through the output adapter is 100 l/h.
4. Attach the black CO2tube to the CO2connection.
5. Remove the cap (7)
6. Place reactor tube assembly into position
7. Hint: Allow the Reactor tube assembly to completely submerge and fill with water before pressing
the suction cups into position on the aquarium glass.
8. Turn on the circulation pump/filter unit. Warning: close the CO2hose to prevent water leakage.
fig 3: reactor fig 4: reactor mounting.
12. connection hose 13. minimum water level
Before using the reactor, the rest of the CO2system has to be assembled: The pressure regulator
regular has to be mounted on the pressure bottle station. As soon as the regulator and the reactor
have been mounted, the reactor can be adjusted:

CO2reactor adjustment:
1. Turn on the circulation pump to start the water flow.
2. Open the valve of the CO2pressure bottle
3. The working pressure gauge of the regular is set to 1.5 bar ( +/- .5
bar)
4. open slowly the needle valve of the regular.
5. Check the flow of the CO2bubbles on the bubblöe counter. The initial
flow should be approx 15 bubbles/minute.
6. The CO2will flow into the reactor and dissolved in the water flow.
7. Determine the CO2content in the water using a pH controller or a pH
test. Take an initial pH reading before starting the reactor. Raise the
bubble count per minute daily until a reading of 7.0 – 7.4 ( for
freshwater aquaria) is reached. It may take some days, until the
proper CO2level is reached and maintained.
Check the pH value regually and adjust the CO2bubble count as required.
The CO2gas in the pressure bottle is 99.8% pure carbon dioxide. The
remaining 0.02% are nitrogen, oxygen and other insoluble gases. These
impurities are collected in the CO2reactor and can decrease ist efficiency.
An air hole allows these gases to escape automatically, when they reach
a preset concentration. Because of this safety exhaust, the reactor will
work continously without interuption.
raising the carbonate hardness ( alcalinity)
Aquarium water, freshwater or saltwater should have a minimum
carbonate hardness of 4 – 6 °KH (1.5 – 2 mmol/l). Below this limit, the pH
of the water cannot be stabilised. Biological processes produce
permanetly organic acids, that reduce the carbonate hardness. Filtration
with peat or the use of other acids ( Phosphoric acid or hydrochloric acid).
If peat products are used for filtration, the carbonate hardness of the water
should be checked weekly. If the KH drops below 4° in freshwater or 6 ° in
saltwater, it should be raised. We recommend the buffer tablets
aqua+ KH.
Maintenance
Keep CO2reactor always clean. For cleaning, it can be completely
dissassemblied.
1. dismantle the reactor
2. Separate the reactor cover (4) from the reactor by twisting the bayonet
joint to the left.
Pull out the spiral tube insert (6)
3. Clean all parts under running water with the brush provided with the
kit.
4. reassemble the parts and install into the aquarium.

Enhancing the performance
The maximum capacity of the reactor is reached, when the inner tube is completely filled with CO2-
gas and a pH of 7.0 – 7.4 cannot be reached. In this case, the capacity of the reactor can be
increased using an additional extension set. With this extension, it is possible to dissolve more CO2.
Up to 4 extension sets can be connected to the reactor. If extension sets are used, the pump capacity
has to be increased.
The optimum CO2quantity
The amount of CO2, that can be dissolved in water depends mainly on the carbonate hardness
(alcalinity) of the water. The higher the carbonate hardness, the higher is the CO2concentration – at
the same pH value. The toxic level of the CO2-concentration is also depending on the pH value. At pH
7.1 – 7.4 for freshwater and 8.1 – 8.4 for seawater the balance between free CO2and carbonate
hardness is reached. In this range, the CO2quantity is not dangerous for fish, independent of the
carbonate hardness.
6. Warranty
On the CO2creactor 500 we guarantee 12 months on material defects. Excluded are wearing parts.
Proof of purchase is the original invoice.
warrants only material and workmanship defects. The warranty will not apply
to complaints which are due to improper installation or misappliance, poor cleaning, frost, calcium
deposition or improper repairing.
In our production we use only quality materials. Nevertheless, in case of a justified complaint, we
provide a repair or a replacement of defective parts free of charge. We reserve the right to charge the
assembly costs. Generally, all warranty claims have to be treated either through us or an approved
service centre.
If you make use of the warranty, send the defective unit or part inclusive the proof of purchase and a
complaint report prepaid in.
We are not liable for consequential damages caused by failures of the regular.
Complaints due to transport damages can only be handled if the damage has been monitored and
confirmed by the carrier at the time of delivery.
GmbH - Gewerbepark 24 – D-49143 Bissendorf
Technical changes reserved –