co2 media question

ddc0715 · May 31, 2022

this is really a 2 question thread

1.so I have determined that a co2 media refilled in my scrubber lasts 5 days

I pull outside air into my Aeraqua Duo AD600 skimmer via air inlet tube one and pull inside air via air inlet tube 2 which is connect to my co2 scrubber.

I determined my co2 media useag by watching ph levels. I THINK 5 DAYS IS BS.

I am considering buying a 5 gallon bucket of the stuff. installing two rodi 1/4" buckle heads and connecting my skimmer directly to that 5 gallon bucket. the bucket location will be in my attic. I'm not concerned with seeing the media change color I will use the ph value to determine when it's time to change. anyone see a problem with this?

2. as i said i have a aeraqua duo skimmer. it has two air inlet tubes. should I install 4 rodi bulkheads into the 5 gallon bucket or buy a y connector and merge the two skimmers air inlets into one?then let it pull from air thru the 5 gallon bucket of media.

SPS2020 · May 31, 2022

Getting proper media usage from a five gallon container may be an issue; chance for a lot of wasted product. A media reactor has more of a straight pull across the media. Just my thoughts and your mileage may vary.

Tuan’s Reef · May 31, 2022

i also get 5-6 days out of mine . I am using the ice cap small Co2 scrubber. I am waiting on a 3D printed attachment to my skimmer cup to make it recirculating. This should make the media last longer.

ddc0715 · May 31, 2022

your taking about air flow thru a large area instead of a smaller tube right. would a simple stir or shack of the bucket once a week help.i did not know that stuff goes bad.

SPS2020 · May 31, 2022

I don't know that it goes bad, but I don't think it will be as effective as a direct channel of flow. It will probably be hard to stir as well. Then, when it does get mixed you won't have as large of percentage of media in direct contact with the air. What is your current pH and what are you trying to achieve? Assuming your tank is around 150 gallons based upon the protein skimmer. You should probably determine the CO2 values around your tank as well. Another option is to use the larger CO2 skimmer or maybe two inline. If you don't already have a refugium with macro, that can help as well. Kalkwasser is also beneficial to raise pH...or Soda Ash.

ddc0715 · May 31, 2022

current ph real time is 8.15. last week it was 8.25 high post media change. I'm trying to not have to buy co2 media every other day.

yes 150 gallon. I can do nothing more to improve air around the tank. when I went down that road I improved my ph from avg 7.7 low to an avg 8.0 low. I installed outside air inlet with fan and a 150cfm exhaust fan in my fish room that runs 24 7.

I dose 1300 mls of kalk daily over a 24hr period. im still increaeing it about once a week by 200 mls. and I dose my alk soda ash at night to combat the lowes. fighting the erge to jump to a 500ml increase per week. my tank Evans about 1.25 g of water a day. that's 5500 mls a day so I may be a bit how on my kalk dose. however my alk. is 9-9.5 so I fear jumping to fast into a large kalk dose.

never had luck with macro algea EVER. BUT may revisit that.....

CO2 Skimmer? I was thinking about add another diy reactor to my current scrubber for more media.

I have read alot about recirculating the air but that also affect the oxygen levels in the water according to randy... so that's out.

SPS2020 · Jun 1, 2022

Correction...CO2 Reactor, not Skimmer.

It seems to me your pH is doing great; I wouldn't try to chase the magical 8.3. With Reactor, I'm around 8-8.2 in a 24-hour period. Haven't ever seen 8.3. However, I have a bit of CO2 with three humans and a dog in the house. I never really saw too much benefit with recirculation, but it would be worth a try if it isn't too difficult for you to achieve. It could increase the longevity of the media.

ddc0715 · Jun 1, 2022

well, I'm not chasing ph. I was in the beginning and have come a long way and i am happy with my levels. I would love to be in that 8.3-8.4 range. I'm chasing my 20-dollar bill that keeps running away every 5 days with a bag of co2 media. HAHAHAHAHAHA

I have ordered a Dosing Container DC-2 - by Aquamaxx and 3lbs of co2 media. I have all I need to convert it to a co2 scrubber container, 3/8" bulkheads, plastic wing nuts and bolts, plex, etc. i have an install choice/question what is the better method for pulling outside air? options 1,2,3,4,5.. a false bottom will be created so that i can add a small amount of water. i just forgot to draw it in.

A recirculation install may come later this is a media-saving post and yes recir saves it, but I want to nail this media holder down. And based on how long it lasts running in one of these proposed manners. or if 3-6lb of media still only last 5 days then I may consider recir it. the goal is I want to change the co2 media once every 1000 years.HAHAHAHAHAHA

SPS2020 · Jun 1, 2022

I'm sure others will chime in, but I would start with option 1. However, maybe just with one reactor initially.

For your DC-2, I'd find some sort of false bottom to raise the media above the point where the scrubbed air exits the chamber.

BTW, Jarvet Soda Lime is $104 shipped for five gallons.