co2 scrubber and low PH

[sergifed91]

I have had my co2 scrubber running for 3 days and no noticeable change at all. I'm beginning to this maybe my skimmer isn't working to compacity. then again thinking that since I have a eshopps HOB skimmer and they use 1/4 inch diameter airlines and the vast majority of the ones I have seen uses a little bit bigger air lines that its causing it not to work for me. I am in no position to run a air line to the out side. I am currently dosing ALK to maintain it to 7.8 -8.0. I am also leaving the windows open during the day. but with the hot weather its making my AC work harder then it should. thinking upgrading to a Reef octopus hob skimmer.

 

[DLHDesign]

It's possible that your room air is not saturated with CO2 as well. Or not to the point that scrubbing it will make a noticeable impact on your Ph, at least.
If you've been leaving your windows open, that's likely having more of an impact than the absorption media will have. If before closing the windows resulted in a drop in Ph, you should retest that with the scrubber in place. If you still get the same drop, then I would look at whether everything is working correctly. But if the drop is less or doesn't occur, then I'd say things are working as expected.

 

[sergifed91]

It's possible that your room air is not saturated with CO2 as well. Or not to the point that scrubbing it will make a noticeable impact on your Ph, at least.
If you've been leaving your windows open, that's likely having more of an impact than the absorption media will have. If before closing the windows resulted in a drop in Ph, you should retest that with the scrubber in place. If you still get the same drop, then I would look at whether everything is working correctly. But if the drop is less or doesn't occur, then I'd say things are working as expected.

I have cleaned my skimmer, opened up the windows and still same results. I have determined it couldn't be to much CO2 in my basement. I have holes in my front porch and back porch foundation. I put my hands near the windows I can feel the warm breeze when there is a breeze. I have cracked windows in the basement windows. cracks in the foundation and etc. I have 2 fans running in the basement to circulate the air. which is not helping. I have not tried add a calcium hydroxide solution to my water and I do have an air stone in there today. it dropped down from 8.2 to 7.59 over night. way to close. I got it raised back up to 7.93 so far today. I have the windows shut cause of the heat here. I can't increase my surface agitation. I already have it high enough that it is splashing a little bit on to the floor. so it's not that. I'm beginning to look at my skimmer as the culprit. I put my finger on the air line and it is barely sucking any air at all. so it has to be my skimmer just isn't working properly any more.

 

[DLHDesign]

Just to make sure; the airline won't be like a vacuum cleaner; it's a venturi effect drawing in the air; not the pump per-se. It sounds to me like your basement (and thus your tank) just isn't CO2 saturated, so there isn't much for the scrubber media to remove - which may mean that this isn't really a method that will help you.

But let's check with more of the #reefsquad on this; I'm sure there are many others more knowledgeable in this area than me.

 

[sergifed91]

Just to make sure; the airline won't be like a vacuum cleaner; it's a venturi effect drawing in the air; not the pump per-se. It sounds to me like your basement (and thus your tank) just isn't CO2 saturated, so there isn't much for the scrubber media to remove - which may mean that this isn't really a method that will help you.

But let's check with more of the #reefsquad on this; I'm sure there are many others more knowledgeable in this area than me.

my alk is at 12
CA 450
MG at 1400.

I have more than enough surface agitation. and like I said I think the culprit is my protein skimmer. eshopps psk-100H HOB skimmer. that could be my problem. is the eshop skimmers aren't that good. or just over a year it has declined really bad in performance and needs replaced. I have no way of running a line out side to see if I get any results. but some how my tank is clearly saturated with CO2 and won't release it with surface agitation. maybe adding a 3rd powerhead or just keep the air stone in the dt cause I don't have room for a sump.

 

[GoVols]

I have no way of running a line out side to see if I get any results

To make sure it is, or not trapped in C02:

Take a glass of your display water outside, and run an air stone in it for about an hour.

Then, test that (outside) display water sample again, to see if your ph has raised.

 

[Fudsey]

Also check the air inlet on the skimmer where it connects to the pump. Calcium build up can block it.

 

[120reefkeeper]

Side note ... your Alkalinity is very high!! If you’re dosing any buffers in an attempt to raise your Ph please dont do so. Higher Alkalinity isn’t a problem if it’s moderately high, but 12 is very high IMHO.

 

[Ranjib]

May be I’m missing something, 7.9-8.2 ph is not that bad. ATS will take some time to kick in and only if it starts showing algae growth (which is dependent on other factors). If you are doing sodium bicarbonate based alk additive , switch to sodium carbonate based alternatives that will boost ph.

Also, don’t chase ph unless you are seeing any visible ill effects

 

[sergifed91]

keep in mind. right now I have an air stone in my tank to get the ph in safe zone. I am making a new batch of salt water at this time and testing the alk and doing the air test with that salt water and tank water. then leaving it set for the night outside. I have opened up the windows with no results. and also a co2 scrubber thinking co2 stuck in the tank. no results. leaning towards the salt which is fritz pro in blue box. I did stop by the LFS and they have had 2 other people claiming they switched to fritz and the ph dropped to 7.6 for low and high 7.7. i'll post my results when im complete with the fresh water.

 

[sergifed91]

May be I’m missing something, 7.9-8.2 ph is not that bad. ATS will take some time to kick in and only if it starts showing algae growth (which is dependent on other factors). If you are doing sodium bicarbonate based alk additive , switch to sodium carbonate based alternatives that will boost ph.

Also, don’t chase ph unless you are seeing any visible ill effects

I wasn't chasing it until I noticed that my corals where starting to look bad. like white bleached bad.

 

[ReeferNtraining]

Coral fading could be due to 12 dKh.

If I’m reading the thread right, the tank with the problem is in the basement? My understanding is that CO2 is heavier than air. Therefore your CO2 buildup would theoretically be highest in the basement. This could be null with numerous environmental variables such as cracks or vents to the outside. When I setup a CO2 scrubber a couple years ago, I noticed that it took a few days to notice a strong pH change. Also, just a side note, if your basement is loaded with CO2, surface agitation is only putting more CO2 back into the water. Same with running an air stone. Best way to check this is to put a window fan in and leave it on, pushing basement air outside like an exhaust vent. If your pH starts going up, you know the basement is loaded with CO2.

I wasn't chasing it until I noticed that my corals where starting to look bad. like white bleached bad.

 

[120reefkeeper]

I wasn't chasing it until I noticed that my corals where starting to look bad. like white bleached bad.

I’ll agree with the statement above about the 12 dkh bleaching your corals.

Here is a nugget of info.

Folks that can get away with running high dkh have high nutrients. This is why super low nutrient tanks have to run lower dkh... like 7.0- 8.0 max Alkalinity. The result of running a tank with Alkalinity that’s to high for the nutrients to support it will result in burnt tips on acros . That’s the minor end and then algae will take over the tips and if left unchecked will result in coral death via bleaching and algae take over .

If this is a new setup your nutrients will most likely be low because everything is new . My recommended stating point for a new reef would be 7.5-8.5 dkh so on the lower end until the tank matures and you’ll have more room to manipulate your Alkalinity levels.

 

[GoVols]

Coral fading could be due to 12 dKh.

I’ll agree with the statement above about the 12 dkh bleaching your corals.

Here is a nugget of info.

Folks that can get away with running high dkh have high nutrients. This is why super low nutrient tanks have to run lower dkh... like 7.0- 8.0 max Alkalinity. The result of running a tank with Alkalinity that’s to high for the nutrients to support it will result in burnt tips on acros . That’s the minor end and then algae will take over the tips and if left unchecked will result in coral death via bleaching and algae take over .

If this is a new setup your nutrients will most likely be low because everything is new . My recommended stating point for a new reef would be 7.5-8.5 dkh so on the lower end until the tank matures and you’ll have more room to manipulate your Alkalinity levels.

Yep!!

 

[smartwater101]

I recently had a similar pH issues and switched my dosing to one of Randy Holmes recipe. The pH bump was immediate. But, as others have said: without the nutrients to support it, running that high Alk is going to be very problematic.

How long have you been running 12? What are your phosphate/nitrate levels? And have you been able to keep any of these #s consistent? If your corals are having trouble the answer is likely part of these.

 

[Shinister]

This may not be the problem with your co2 scrubber but here's my experience. I've been using a BRS reactor for the soda lime media. I was noticing a few granules on the top portion turning purple. I figured some of the air was being bypassed. It should be turning purple from the bottom. The inner canister (one that holds the media) didnt have a gasket or oring on top where it makes contact with the housing. It would also move around when I shook the whole reactor. I bought this reactor used so I didnt know if it's supposed to have a seal or not. I got an oring that fit that indent on top, installed it and screwed the housing back on. Gave it a shake and it didnt move. The next day, my PH went up like it should. Something to check

 

[sergifed91]

This may not be the problem with your co2 scrubber but here's my experience. I've been using a BRS reactor for the soda lime media. I was noticing a few granules on the top portion turning purple. I figured some of the air was being bypassed. It should be turning purple from the bottom. The inner canister (one that holds the media) didnt have a gasket or oring on top where it makes contact with the housing. It would also move around when I shook the whole reactor. I bought this reactor used so I didnt know if it's supposed to have a seal or not. I got an oring that fit that indent on top, installed it and screwed the housing back on. Gave it a shake and it didnt move. The next day, my PH went up like it should. Something to check

I'm starting from the beginning. I have ruled out access co2 in the room. Had my furnace/ac company out today and low like 440 for co2 never fluctuated as he used his meter w add liking through the whole house from top to bottom. So I'm starting from the beginning. Salt beans my mixing station. I found some pink dye in one of my brute trash can fi or mixing th salt water. Could be the cause. Maybe how I'm muxing the salt could be a factor. What's the ph when mixing small amounts compared to 20 to 30 gallons of water?

 

[Josh Burnett]

My biggest win with ph was having a high powered grow light on chaeto in my refugium. Photosynthesis helps raise ph and if you have nutrients it will grow like crazy.

 

[sergifed91]

My biggest win with ph was having a high powered grow light on chaeto in my refugium. Photosynthesis helps raise ph and if you have nutrients it will grow like crazy.

I have a chaeto reactor. growing like crazy but still fighting the PH issue. something is leaching the co2. rodi water maybe the membranes need to be replace. my mixing station. did tear that down and noticed a pink dye. don't know what that is? Plastic? I don't know. but I'm looking at every aspect and anything that could be causing it.

 

[sergifed91]

My biggest win with ph was having a high powered grow light on chaeto in my refugium. Photosynthesis helps raise ph and if you have nutrients it will grow like crazy.

I went to the LFS that a lot of the locals here go to. To find out i'm not the only one with the same issues. day time ph as high as 8.1 then at night drops down to 7.6 for ph reading. if it was just me. I would think its something leeching. which it still might be or a high co2 in my house. but more than 20 people with the same issues with major drops like that. I tend to think either the water from water work co or something is happening locally that is causing this.