CO2 issues so I'll try an air hose!

revhtree · Jun 5, 2017

If you've seen any of my past thread about my ALK and CAL issues you know I have been struggling with maintaining them, etc. I also have an issue where there is a lot of C02 being pulled back into my tank due to the system being kept in a very tight basement area of the home. My PH never goes above 7.8 and is always around 7.6.

So instead of adding a CO2 scrubber I am going to run an air intake line to the skimmer. Being that my skimmer is on an outside wall in the basement and I can easily attach an outside line I think it's best to try for option one.

I am running a Regal 300INT which is a massive skimmer and pulls quite a bit of air. Here is the line size.

I'll keep you updated and if you have a line running to your skimmer for outside air let me hear your thoughts. Or anyone really.

120reefkeeper · Jun 5, 2017

You'll see about a .1 ph bump from my own observations on my tank.

Just my .02

The PH scrubber used in combination on the other hand helped a lot. I'd say overall I had a .3 bump doing both. Stability was also greatly increased. [emoji4]

Flippers4pups · Jun 5, 2017

Though I've never done the airline to the outside trick, I've considered doing it several times due to my house is new and is also very tight. Ph always around 7.8.

The main concerns that I have about it is outside airborne pollutants. Can I trust my neighbors not spraying for bugs or throwing down insecticides or spreading out fertilizer? If I can't control it, then the answer is no.

One neighbor even has an old 2 cycle lawnmower that fogs the air with unburnt oil/fuel every time he cuts his lawn! Gasp!

They say that you can diy a filter with filter floss and GAC, but how do I know when it's expended?

Just spooks me, so I haven't done it.

ReeferDave01 · Jun 5, 2017

I battled ph co2 issues quite some time. Got 2 co2 scrubbers. One attached to skimmer second is in line to airator. That pulled me to about 7.9 which was about 0.2 increase. Then once I get got that I started 2 part and now seeing 8.1 ph. I don't have option running air to outside.

scriptmonkey · Jun 5, 2017

I am thinking about doing the same...I am just trying to come up with a charcoal filter solution to prevent any outside contaminates from killing everything, it is the only thing hanging me.

ReeferDave01 · Jun 5, 2017

Outside contaminants?

scriptmonkey · Jun 5, 2017

yeah... If I run the hose to the outside and lets my neighbor or I spray fertilizer\herbicide or something along those lines...just wanted something as a safe guard.

revhtree · Jun 5, 2017

120reefkeeper said:
You'll see about a .1 ph bump from my own observations on my tank.

Just my .02

The PH scrubber used in combination on the other hand helped a lot. I'd say overall I had a .3 bump doing both. Stability was also greatly increased. [emoji4]

Really that's all?

revhtree · Jun 5, 2017

I don't have a neighbor beside my house, I have woods that I own. Thoughts?

scriptmonkey · Jun 5, 2017

Well in your case you might be good. I live in a townhouse community and I do not trust my neighbors or my soon to be wife to not spray stuff around the inlet or for dust to get in. I was thinking about drilling two holes in at opposing ends of a VOSS bottle with barb fittings filled with some carbon just as a precaution. Maybe being paranoid but I would kick myself if I didn't try to mitigate it seeing it could happen even if the chance are remote.

swensos · Jun 5, 2017

Build a greenhouse that is connected to your tank room. It'll be your own little bio-dome.

DLHDesign · Jun 5, 2017

revhtree said:
I don't have a neighbor beside my house, I have woods that I own. Thoughts?

Two things I worried about were bugs getting into the airline and sprays being picked up. Initially, I added some carbon and mesh to solve for that. It worked well enough, I suppose.
I've since remove the carbon and filter and instead use CO2 scrubber media. My thought was that if I'm going to go to all the trouble and expense of maintaining a filter of some kind, it should help to solve the problem I'm facing...

Mal11224 · Jun 5, 2017

I have my tank in the basement as well. My ph averages out to be about 8.2, which surprises me. It's gone up to about 8.25. I have windows that I open in my basement, but also use a dehumidifier to control the air quality. I'm guessing that the dehumidifier has an affect on my ph levels especially since my ph is higher in the cooler seasons. Plus I have a fuge, which helps lesson the swing.

Fritzhamer · Jun 5, 2017

I had a similar issue. I was about to add a co2 scrubber but went with cheato instead. The sump area is only about 12 x 12. It's lit with two led growlight bulbs on an opposite cycle to the main lights.

Pic below.

My PH stays around 8.2 now. It also allowed me to pull my gfo reactor and has helped combat algae in the main tank. I only clean the glass (display tank) once a week now.

120reefkeeper · Jun 5, 2017

revhtree said:
Really that's all?

Yes .... that's realistic and it's an average from my experience.

So if your 8.0 going up to 8.3 is pretty good. I buy my co2 media in bulk so it's much cheaper. I get it in a 5 gallon bucket and figure at my current rate it will last 2 years . I believe a bucket that big cost me 80 bucks??

Give me a second and I'll put up a link for ya.

https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/low-ph-issues-make-your-own-co2-scrubber.92/

Here ya go.

120reefkeeper · Jun 5, 2017

nervousmonkey · Jun 5, 2017

Howdy Rev,

Adding a CO2 scrubber will help a lot more than outside air will. Your tank is not exchanging much gas at all with the ambient air of the basement; your skimmer is far and away the primary source of air exchange. So connecting a CO2 scrubber to your skimmer intake will help a lot more than outside air will. Or add a CO2 scrubber to the air line going outside. I hope that helps.

revhtree · Jun 6, 2017

Good news, bad news, good news!

Good news my PH went up!
Bad news it went up 0.02 so far.
Good news I ordered a CO2 scrubber from BRS!

scriptmonkey · Jun 6, 2017

revhtree said:
Good news, bad news, good news!

Good news my PH went up!
Bad news it went up 0.02 so far.
Good news I ordered a CO2 scrubber from BRS!

This weekend is Preferred Reefer Double Points couldn't hold out?