CO2 Scrubber Not Working

Vinoy Thomas · Jun 11, 2019

Hi Everyone,

I just installed a CO2 Scrubber yesterday.

My pH trend looks to be unaffected by the newly plumbed scrubber.

I'm wondering if I have done something wrong here. I'm using brand new sodasorb CO2 absorbent media in a somatic reactor plumbed to the air intake of my Curve 7 skimmer.

I've attached some pictures of how I have it setup.

Please let me know if you have any suggestions or thoughts to help me find out the problem. I would greatly appreciate it.

Thank you!

BestMomEver · Jun 11, 2019

Mine is set up the exact same way using the same reactor plumbed the exact same way. What is your pH? What media are you using (what brand)?

BestMomEver · Jun 11, 2019

Just noticed something. You need to have enough media to fill all the way to the top.

Vinoy Thomas · Jun 11, 2019

Hey, this is the brand I'm using.

I've also attached a graph of my pH readings from apex on the original post. Please let me know if you notice anything.

Vinoy Thomas · Jun 11, 2019

Ok. I just filled it, does this look good? Have I done it how you have done it now?

BestMomEver · Jun 11, 2019

From the graph it looks like your pH did increase. My pH often hangs between 7.8 and 8.1. I would recommend more media first off. Secondly, I don’t know anything about your media. I originally tried BRS and got little positive results. I changes to Two Little Fishies and have much better readings. If you want, buy a small container of the TLF brand. The quantity is perfect to fill the reactor to the top. It works beautifully.

BestMomEver · Jun 11, 2019

Vinoy Thomas said:
Ok. I just filled it, does this look good? Have I done it how you have done it now?

Yes.... I obviously need to change my media.

mitch91175 · Jun 28, 2019

Vinoy Thomas said:
Hi Everyone,

I just installed a CO2 Scrubber yesterday.

My pH trend looks to be unaffected by the newly plumbed scrubber.

I'm wondering if I have done something wrong here. I'm using brand new sodasorb CO2 absorbent media in a somatic reactor plumbed to the air intake of my Curve 7 skimmer.

I've attached some pictures of how I have it setup.

Please let me know if you have any suggestions or thoughts to help me find out the problem. I would greatly appreciate it.

Thank you!

The way you have it setup will work, but won't be as effective as recirculating the air intake through you skimmer. Check out this thread: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/co2-scrubber-testing.482361/

Your media will last longer as well.

BZOFIQ · Jun 28, 2019

Vinoy Thomas said:
Hey, this is the brand I'm using.

I've also attached a graph of my pH readings from apex on the original post. Please let me know if you notice anything.

Did you buy it in bulk?

DarthSimon · Jun 28, 2019

I know with mine a little water on bottom of canister really helps....

Rakie · Jun 28, 2019

DarthSimon said:
I know with mine a little water on bottom of canister really helps....

I've heard some people say that, and others say that will ruin it.. I'm torn but don't run CO2 scrubber so who knows

DarthSimon · Jun 28, 2019

Just a little on bottom. I actually just ordered a mini reactor from BRS that I will put inline and fill with water so it doesn’t contact the media.

Rakie · Jun 28, 2019

DarthSimon said:
Just a little on bottom. I actually just ordered a mini reactor from BRS that I will put inline and fill with water so it doesn’t contact the media.

Cool deal, it's good to know there's still some room for innovation. I wonder if BRS will make filters with a small water catch at the bottom LOL

rkpetersen · Jun 28, 2019

A small amount of water in the bottom of the reactor is useful mostly to keep the color change detectable.
Some brands of soda lime don't come with the color indicator; with those, the only way to know that it's used up is when the pH again drops.
To use water, you need a reactor with an inner cannister, as mentioned above, so that the water doesn't touch the media at all.
Also, with your design, CO2 scrubbing is going all the time, so your media will be used up very quickly.
I run mine only at night, when pH support is most needed, and even then, I have it set to turn off if the pH is above a certain level.
I use a T on the air line and a motorized valve controlled by the Apex to draw air through the scrubber or not, as needed.
The air recycling approach described in the linked thread above is also a good way of using media up less quickly.
Another consideration is how much CO2 you actually have in your ambient room air.
If there's a lot, the scrubber will be very effective at raising pH but won't last long between refills.
If the air CO2 isn't much elevated, the scrubber also won't have much effect on pH but will last longer.

DarthSimon · Jul 4, 2019

Check this out:
This will keep the air running through the CO2 media nice and moist. Much better then putting tiny drop of water in main scrubber and water never hits media. Also only have to fill the water vessel ever 2 weeks or so....

sergifed91 · Sep 27, 2019

DarthSimon said:
Check this out:
This will keep the air running through the CO2 media nice and moist. Much better then putting tiny drop of water in main scrubber and water never hits media. Also only have to fill the water vessel ever 2 weeks or so....

did you put tubing in the reactor that you filled with the water?