!*!*!*!*! AIR & SKIMMER & AIR !*!*!*!*!

[dragon99]

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Cool!

 

[dragon99]

So yea, now I have a project to figure how to run an airline from the middle of my house outside. I may run straight up into the attic and see if that helps.

Just opening the windows this past weekend during the day gave me a 0.1 pH bump.

 

[North Borders]

I was having overnight pH dips down into the 7.7 range for a couple months. I did the opening a window thing for a while, but we get incredibly cold winters here (-30F at times). I picked up a BRS CO2 reactor and hooked it to my skimmer intake. Now I'm right at my target of 8.1-8.4 24/7.

 

[MaddyP]

Interesting conversation!

I have a tightly closed, small apartment that leaves my tank running around 7.7 ph without my correction. Now, I'm running a dual BRS reactor with CO2 media in both. Not much different than most, however, I also have a solenoid hooked up the air line that bypasses the BRS reactors. This allows me to control the range of ph values my tank hits. When ph is above 8.35, the solenoid opens allowing in CO2 rich air. Likewise, when the ph drops below 8.25, the solenoid closes drawing air through the CO2 media.

This setup allows me to run the skimmer 24/7 without fear of the ph rising too high, which happens during my light period if the air continues to be filtered by the CO2 media (easily reaches 8.5). It also extends the life of the media as it isn't being utilized 24/7.

 

[Tom Blevins]

I created a CO2 scrubber with a BRS reactor with Soda Lime. My PH went from an avg of appx 7.8 to 8.2/8.3 in a 70 gallon tank. I change the soda lime every 10 days or so in winter and even longer in the summer and don't worry about the ph anymore

I just did this as well and works great it just changes color fast I get about 8 to 10 days before it's purple colored on our 300 (two little fishes brand media CDX) If there is a less expensive media please share Thank YOU.

 

[Diesel]

I like how each of you guys replied found a way to correct the balance of your PH in your system.
That said many ppl chase the PH # too much IMO.
We get many question and if you just scroll through @Randy Holmes-Farley page you can see for yourself.
If it doesn't work out with a easy fix than don't worry about it that much, just run your ALK a bit higher that gives you that much backbone to be ok at a PH with 7.7 for to say.
I had did the test on my tank for 12 months and I ran my fully stocked SPS with a morning PH of 7.5 and a late afternoon of 7.9, big swing but low average and yet the tank was great, just a slow grow rate that's all but color was awesome as you guys ever seen my tank.
When I added the outdoor air to the skimmer and did some MicroNano bubbling my PH went from 7.5 up to 8.05 in the morning and from 7.9 up to 8.25 in the late afternoon.
Of course it's great to have a good balance with target # but don't chase it too much that's my advise.

 

[jenreefer]

I also use a Co2 scrubber on my skimmer air intake. I have the color changing granules so will know when to change. Cost was minimal and peace of mind is priceless.

All my dogs suck the oxygen out of the room.

Jen

 

[North Borders]

Interesting conversation!

I have a tightly closed, small apartment that leaves my tank running around 7.7 ph without my correction. Now, I'm running a dual BRS reactor with CO2 media in both. Not much different than most, however, I also have a solenoid hooked up the air line that bypasses the BRS reactors. This allows me to control the range of ph values my tank hits. When ph is above 8.35, the solenoid opens allowing in CO2 rich air. Likewise, when the ph drops below 8.25, the solenoid closes drawing air through the CO2 media.

This setup allows me to run the skimmer 24/7 without fear of the ph rising too high, which happens during my light period if the air continues to be filtered by the CO2 media (easily reaches 8.5). It also extends the life of the media as it isn't being utilized 24/7.

If my memory is correct, I remember seeing a post/article from Randy where he was saying that barring some catastrophic event such as a kalkwasser overdose, it was nearly impossible to run a tank up over like the 8.55 range due to CO2/O2 surface gas exchange. That said, I DO run a cutoff on my Apex of 8.5 for the alkalinity part of my 2 part doser. I also have my skimmer shut off at that point with a 1 hour hysterisis. The solenoid is an interesting idea. I've never thought to run that. I assume you have it programmed into your Apex?

 

[120reefkeeper]

Low pH issues?? Make your own CO2 scrubber!!
https://www.reef2reef.com/index.php?threads/Low-pH-issues??-Make-your-own-CO2-scrubber!!.271306/

 

[Tom Blevins]

Just a heads up if you are deciding to do a scrubber, DFS has Two Little Fishes CDX 3L @ 27.99 good price!

 

[MaddyP]

If my memory is correct, I remember seeing a post/article from Randy where he was saying that barring some catastrophic event such as a kalkwasser overdose, it was nearly impossible to run a tank up over like the 8.55 range due to CO2/O2 surface gas exchange. That said, I DO run a cutoff on my Apex of 8.5 for the alkalinity part of my 2 part doser. I also have my skimmer shut off at that point with a 1 hour hysterisis. The solenoid is an interesting idea. I've never thought to run that. I assume you have it programmed into your Apex?

Yep, fully controlled by the apex. I didn't think pH couldn't naturally get that high either, but it would happen nearly daily in my tank. Come to think of it, I may have been dosing kalk to keep up my alk/calc...

 

[dragon99]

Yep, fully controlled by the apex. I didn't think pH couldn't naturally get that high either, but it would happen nearly daily in my tank. Come to think of it, I may have been dosing kalk to keep up my alk/calc...

Mind sharing what solenoid you are using and the Apex programming?

 

[AlexG]

I think I will be adding an outside air intake for my basement build. The only thing I would do is put a carbon filter on the air intake line. I would not want to have my skimmer injected with air that smells like weed killer or other chemicals that have a strong smell.

On a side note this topic did make me wonder if anyone has injected 100% oxygen into a skimmer before? I would think it would need to be a small dose but what would the impact be on the tank? Would the corals and fish benefit?

 

[rmchoi]

My ph swings from 8.3 late afternoon to 8.16 by morning per Apex. What does variance mean? Fresh air will stabilize this?

I have 2 refugiums; 25G for chaeto & 40G DSB with 4 mangroves. How much effect do these plants have on ph, if any?

 

[nervousmonkey]

I just did this as well and works great it just changes color fast I get about 8 to 10 days before it's purple colored on our 300 (two little fishes brand media CDX) If there is a less expensive media please share Thank YOU.

Try Med-Vet International for soda lime. I've used it for years.

 

[joeyrm7]

Ditto on the Med-Vet

 

[MaddyP]

Mind sharing what solenoid you are using and the Apex programming?

I'm currently using this solenoid...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DQ1ACQ2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[MaddyP]

Try Med-Vet International for soda lime. I've used it for years.

I order mine here as well. They offer it by 3lb bag and 5 gallon tub. I always order the tub as it comes out to be cheaper per lbs.

http://www.shopmedvet.com/product/soda-lime-5-gallon-JOR553B