Calcium Reactor in conjunction with kalk dosing - What to do?!?

jmichaelh7 · Oct 31, 2022

PeterC99 said:
Are you recirculating the CO2 scrubber?

Excuse my ignorance what do you mean recirculating ? Yes the scrubber is on

PeterC99 · Oct 31, 2022

jmichaelh7 said:
Excuse my ignorance what do you mean recirculating ? Yes the scrubber is on

The input for the CO2 scrubber should be coming from the top your protein skimmer. This way the scrubber is maxed out and your not also scrubbing outside air. The CO2 scrubber media lasts significantly longer. The last pic shows my pH with recirculating scrubber

jmichaelh7 · Oct 31, 2022

PeterC99 said:
The input for the CO2 scrubber should be coming from the top your protein skimmer. This way the scrubber is maxed out and your not also scrubbing outside air. The CO2 scrubber media lasts significantly longer. The last pic shows my pH with recirculating scrubber

I never knew about this and I’ve been in the hobby for awhile

Did you custom drill your hole for that inlet on top of your skimmer plate ? My curve 7 doesn’t have that.

Your ph is as if your running kalk . Amazing numbers

Illini_Drew33 · Oct 31, 2022

Agree with a couple folks on here. If you are recirculating your scrubber (left) there shouldn't be any issues with it keeping a 75 gallon. If you are a gear junky like myself you can add a couple solenoids such that above a particular ph the skimmer pulls normal air and under a certain ph it pulls air through the scubber. I set mine at 8.2 and it rarely goes under that. If it does I know to add Co2 Media to the scrubber.

I also use a kalk stirrer (right side). I added about 6000 ML a day into my 180 and that also helps keep ph up. I also hook up fans to my tank to run most of the day to ensure I have enough evaporation to take the 6000ml. Seems to be a sweet spot for my tank with alk/calc and ph.

One of the big things I notice that reduces my ph is keeping the windows closed and when a bunch of people come over to the house and break Co2 out.

Happy to chat anytime about how I have things set up. It took me awhile but its fine tuned now.

PeterC99 · Oct 31, 2022

jmichaelh7 said:
I never knew about this and I’ve been in the hobby for awhile

Did you custom drill your hole for that inlet on top of your skimmer plate ? My curve 7 doesn’t have that.

Your ph is as if your running kalk . Amazing numbers

Correct - drill or bore a custom hole in the top of your skimmer lid.

Those are my pH numbers and I have calcium reactor which works against pH. I find Kalk very inconsistent and a pain in the neck to deal with.

jmichaelh7 · Oct 31, 2022

PeterC99 said:
Correct - drill or bore a custom hole in the top of your skimmer lid.

Those are my pH numbers and I have calcium reactor which works against pH. I find Kalk very inconsistent and a pain in the neck to deal with.

Where did you buy adapter for hose to go on the skimmer plate

jmichaelh7 · Oct 31, 2022

PeterC99 said:
Correct - drill or bore a custom hole in the top of your skimmer lid.

Those are my pH numbers and I have calcium reactor which works against pH. I find Kalk very inconsistent and a pain in the neck to deal with.

PeterC99 · Oct 31, 2022

jmichaelh7 said:
Where did you buy adapter for hose to go on the skimmer plate

Just a 3/8 inch plastic barb with a screw connector on the other side. Got from local hardware store where you buy Johnny fittings.

PeterC99 · Oct 31, 2022

jmichaelh7 said:

Your coral growth is going to take off!!!

PeterC99 · Oct 31, 2022

Illini_Drew33 said:
Agree with a couple folks on here. If you are recirculating your scrubber (left) there shouldn't be any issues with it keeping a 75 gallon. If you are a gear junky like myself you can add a couple solenoids such that above a particular ph the skimmer pulls normal air and under a certain ph it pulls air through the scubber. I set mine at 8.2 and it rarely goes under that. If it does I know to add Co2 Media to the scrubber.

I also use a kalk stirrer (right side). I added about 6000 ML a day into my 180 and that also helps keep ph up. I also hook up fans to my tank to run most of the day to ensure I have enough evaporation to take the 6000ml. Seems to be a sweet spot for my tank with alk/calc and ph.

One of the big things I notice that reduces my ph is keeping the windows closed and when a bunch of people come over to the house and break Co2 out.

Happy to chat anytime about how I have things set up. It took me awhile but it’s fine tuned now.

@neptune please note @Illini_Drew33 — this guy should be your spoke person!!!

Illini_Drew33 · Oct 31, 2022

PeterC99 said:
@neptune please note @Illini_Drew33 — this guy should be your

PeterC99 said:
@neptune please note @Illini_Drew33 — this guy should be your spoke person!!!

I do love their products!! Im not sure how id keep sps without them.

jmichaelh7 · Nov 2, 2022

Kalkwasser stirrer on hold.

Recirculating online

PeterC99 · Nov 2, 2022

jmichaelh7 said:
Kalkwasser stirrer on hold.

Recirculating online

Nicely done!

Maxx · Nov 5, 2022

jmichaelh7 said:
Excuse my ignorance what do you mean recirculating ? Yes the scrubber is on

@jmichaelh7
Read this: Recirculating CO2 Scrubber thread
Then look here: Fish of Hex recirculating CO2 Scrubber Protein Skimmer attachments
I've used them on two different skimmers with excellent results.
No drilling or permanent modification needed for your skimmer.

jmichaelh7 · Nov 5, 2022

Maxx said:
@jmichaelh7
Read this: Recirculating CO2 Scrubber thread
Then look here: Fish of Hex recirculating CO2 Scrubber Protein Skimmer attachments
I've used them on two different skimmers with excellent results.
No drilling or permanent modification needed for your skimmer.

My issue right now is the bubbles from the skim going into the inlet

PeterC99 said:
Nicely done!

Maxx · Nov 6, 2022

jmichaelh7 said:
My issue right now is the bubbles from the skim going into the inlet

Going to the inlet of what?
The CO2 Scrubber?
https://fishofhex.com/collections/s...products/32oz-co2-scrubber-skimmate-collector
You can build your own as well if you want...
https://fishofhex.com/collections/s...hment/products/co2-scrubber-drain-adapter-1-2

jmichaelh7 · Nov 11, 2022

PeterC99 said:
Are you recirculating the CO2 scrubber?

I am now.

Everything is working fine. The only issue….

… the bottom of co2 scrubber accumulated waste. This is from the bubbles entering from suction at skimmer cup. Have you found a fox for this?

PeterC99 · Nov 11, 2022

jmichaelh7 said:
I am now.

Everything is working fine. The only issue….

… the bottom of co2 scrubber accumulated waste. This is from the bubbles entering from suction at skimmer cup. Have you found a fox for this?

Look at my picture- the air input line from the top of the skimmer goes up about 4 inches before it loops down. Also my CO2 scrubber is on the same level as the top of my skimmer.

jmichaelh7 · Dec 14, 2022

PeterC99 said:
The input for the CO2 scrubber should be coming from the top your protein skimmer. This way the scrubber is maxed out and your not also scrubbing outside air. The CO2 scrubber media lasts significantly longer. The last pic shows my pH with recirculating scrubber

I just ordered these filters to cover the hole leading into the co2 scrubber . It appears the skim mate bubbles are going into the tube while being suctioned.

You don’t have this issue at all?

PeterC99 · Dec 14, 2022

jmichaelh7 said:
I just ordered these filters to cover the hole leading into the co2 scrubber . It appears the skim mate bubbles are going into the tube while being suctioned.

You don’t have this issue at all?

No - notice the purposeful loop I put in the line coming from the skimmer cup. Also have a DC skimmer to fine tune skimmer and the pull to the scrubber.