CO2 scrubber review

SuperDragon · Mar 21, 2017

I just wanted to share my experience with my CO2 scrubber I installed 3 days ago. Nothing but impressive. My average ph was between 7.8-8.0 max. I've tried opening windows, running tubing outside, soda ash, have a decent sized refugium, and some kalk without sustained results.
I pulled the trigger and got a brs scrubber and did research on medical grade vs. diver grade. My decision was to use Sodasorb HP, best price i could find was from amron. It took a few hours for me to seem improvement as the pH climbed. I was only expecting 8.0-8.2. To my surprise it was around 8.2-8.4.

After about 3 days, the media is about 1/3 light purple. I was expecting the color change to be darker but I'll observe over time if it gets darker and continue to monitor pH.

So far I'm pleased with the results. My alk went from 8.6 to 7.8 and calcium from 430 to 410 in 2 days.
Hope this helps others curious about using one. Too early for me to tell if coral growth is improved. Some of my sps and lps show signs of improved PE, but this may be anecdotal.

If you have one what is your experience so far and how long have you had it?

nervousmonkey · Mar 21, 2017

If you wet the filter at the bottom of the reactor, not the media, just a teaspoon of water on the filter, it will really extend the life of your media.

SuperDragon · Mar 21, 2017

nervousmonkey said:
If you wet the filter at the bottom of the reactor, not the media, just a teaspoon of water on the filter, it will really extend the life of your media.

Thanks, when I looked up the brs instructions they listed 1 tbsp, when I called they told me personally to use 2 tbsp and when I look around google some people use 1 tsp like you mention. Good area of discussion. I started with 1 tbsp on the next change out. I have 40lbs to play with

3mm3 · Mar 21, 2017

The water in mine dries up within 2 days max. I was going to set up a 2nd container just to hold water.
The co2 scrubber is an excellent addition.

CoralNerd · Mar 21, 2017

I noticed black mold when I was adding a teaspoon of water so I stopped the water addition.

SuperDragon · Mar 21, 2017

3mm3 said:
The water in mine dries up within 2 days max. I was going to set up a 2nd container just to hold water.
The co2 scrubber is an excellent addition.

Hmm... That's a great idea! I'm gonna try it with another reactor laying around

CoralNerd said:
I noticed black mold when I was adding a teaspoon of water so I stopped the water addition.

I'm guessing this wasn't RO/DI water? Maybe even a contaminant in the reactor or media?

CoralNerd · Mar 21, 2017

SuperDragon said:
I'm guessing this wasn't RO/DI water? Maybe even a contaminant in the reactor or media?

Not sure about containment...spores could be anywhere. It was RODI.

nervousmonkey · Mar 21, 2017

SuperDragon said:
Hmm... That's a great idea! I'm gonna try it with another reactor laying around

I'm guessing this wasn't RO/DI water? Maybe even a contaminant in the reactor or media?

running 2 containers in series is great. When one runs out of media, just take it offline, refill and put it back in place

SuperDragon · Mar 21, 2017

CoralNerd said:
Not sure about containment...spores could be anywhere. It was RODI.

That's true, they are in the air and water we drink.

BluewaterLa · Mar 21, 2017

SuperDragon said:
That's true, they are in the air and water we drink.

If you don't mind me asking
How much did 40 pounds of media cost ?
Trying to figure out if this would be affordable to maintain as a permanent fixture on a large reef

Highgrade · Mar 22, 2017

BluewaterLa said:
If you don't mind me asking
How much did 40 pounds of media cost ?
Trying to figure out if this would be affordable to maintain as a permanent fixture on a large reef

$88.73 https://www.amronintl.com/wr-grace-sodasorb-carbon-dioxide-absorbents.html

Highgrade · Mar 22, 2017

SuperDragon said:
I just wanted to share my experience with my CO2 scrubber I installed 3 days ago. Nothing but impressive. My average ph was between 7.8-8.0 max. I've tried opening windows, running tubing outside, soda ash, have a decent sized refugium, and some kalk without sustained results.
I pulled the trigger and got a brs scrubber and did research on medical grade vs. diver grade. My decision was to use Sodasorb HP, best price i could find was from amron. It took a few hours for me to seem improvement as the pH climbed. I was only expecting 8.0-8.2. To my surprise it was around 8.2-8.4.

After about 3 days, the media is about 1/3 light purple. I was expecting the color change to be darker but I'll observe over time if it gets darker and continue to monitor pH.

So far I'm pleased with the results. My alk went from 8.6 to 7.8 and calcium from 430 to 410 in 2 days.
Hope this helps others curious about using one. Too early for me to tell if coral growth is improved. Some of my sps and lps show signs of improved PE, but this may be anecdotal.

If you have one what is your experience so far and how long have you had it?

I recently add one as well. Great results. Went from a 7.8ph to steady 8.25-8.3 Alk,CA and Mg consumption is up for sure. My tank is all SPS, mainly Acros and Monti's . Definately seen improved growth and PE.

SuperDragon · Mar 23, 2017

Looks like time to change my media... it lasted about 5 days and swinging downward. I ordered the solenoid and y fitting... hard to justify $70 for the solenoid valve when a 40 lbs bucket of media is about $90 with tax... my decision was not to try to extend the media but to keep pH more stable without so much swinging with the apex. Many factors for my media lasting only 5 days, but one factor may be my oversized skimmer... rated for 500+ gallons on my 120g drawing more air. I'm also going to try adding a separate canister for water because the 1 tbsp is inside evaporated for sure.

CoralNerd · Mar 24, 2017

The water canister would come first right? Then the C02 scrubber

SuperDragon · Mar 24, 2017

CoralNerd said:
The water canister would come first right? Then the C02 scrubber

Yeah

Velcro · Mar 24, 2017

I run a lifereef skimmer, which has a Venturi that draws air from the skimmer cup to keep the Venturi drawing humid air (prevents clogging).

I had the idea to place my co2 scrubber in between the Venturi and skimmer cup so the humid air is pulled through the co2 media. It lasts MUCH longer than when I was pulling room aid through it.

SuperDragon · Mar 24, 2017

Velcro said:
I run a lifereef skimmer, which has a Venturi that draws air from the skimmer cup to keep the Venturi drawing humid air (prevents clogging).

I had the idea to place my co2 scrubber in between the Venturi and skimmer cup so the humid air is pulled through the co2 media. It lasts MUCH longer than when I was pulling room aid through it.

Great idea!
I was thinking about that but can't figure out how to add a 3/8 barb to the cup. My lid has small holes. Maybe drill a bigger hole? Or adapt smaller 2 holes to one tube?

SuperDragon · Mar 25, 2017

I used two flexible airline tubes one to each hole in the skimmer cup and stuffed the two of them into the 3/8 silicone intake to the scrubber. Now it draws moist air without adding water to the media.
I'll see how this goes.

Velcro · Mar 25, 2017

SuperDragon said:
I used two flexible airline tubes one to each hole in the skimmer cup and stuffed the two of them into the 3/8 silicone intake to the scrubber. Now it draws moist air without adding water to the media.
I'll see how this goes.

I do find that I have to unscrew the canister and drain excess water from the reactor as it does collect and start to submerge the soda lime

SuperDragon · Mar 26, 2017

Velcro said:
I do find that I have to unscrew the canister and drain excess water from the reactor as it does collect and start to submerge the soda lime

Does the excess water affect the media negatively?