CO2 scrubber

[bkhunt]

I added a CO2 scrubber the other day and have not seen any increase in my ph. I am maxing out 7.95-7.98 before and after adding the scrubber. I got the BRS media and BRS Universal Scrubber. I have it located in my garage and added the tablespoon of water. I do not have a line running outside as the garage is non-insulated and no vehicles run in the garage.

Why has my ph not increased like all my reading said it should?

The date/time line is when scrubber was added in the photo.

 

[Coolcasino]

I really don't see a question but...
When was the last time you calibrated your probe? Maybe your skimmer isn't pulling enough air through the reactor? I also purchased the BRS media and it exhausted in a couple of days. I bought the big 5 gallon jug off eBay and it has lasted at least a month before change. I do have the jumbo one. I also do have it recirculating through my skimmer. I max out at 8.28 and bottom out at 8.0.

 

[bkhunt]

I really don't see a question but...
When was the last time you calibrated your probe? Maybe your skimmer isn't pulling enough air through the reactor? I also purchased the BRS media and it exhausted in a couple of days. I bought the big 5 gallon jug off eBay and it has lasted at least a month before change. I do have the jumbo one. I also do have it recirculating through my skimmer. I max out at 8.28 and bottom out at 8.0.

I just hooked up my apex about 2 months ago and at the time it was a brand new pinpoint probe. I have calibrated it 3 or 4 times since I started with pinpoint and apex fluids because I thought it seemed low but same number every time.

 

[bkhunt]

I really don't see a question but...
When was the last time you calibrated your probe? Maybe your skimmer isn't pulling enough air through the reactor? I also purchased the BRS media and it exhausted in a couple of days. I bought the big 5 gallon jug off eBay and it has lasted at least a month before change. I do have the jumbo one. I also do have it recirculating through my skimmer. I max out at 8.28 and bottom out at 8.0.

My question is why has my ph not gone up? My skimmer is still producing skimmate like it did so I am thinking it is pulling enough air.

 

[A_Blind_Reefer]

Maybe it’s not being limited by ambient co2. Do you know the co2 level in the home? Did you first try just opening windows, before adding the scrubber, to see if your ph went up? Are you dosing 2 part, or any additives?

 

[HuduVudu]

I added a CO2 scrubber the other day and have not seen any increase in my ph. I am maxing out 7.95-7.98 before and after adding the scrubber. I got the BRS media and BRS Universal Scrubber. I have it located in my garage and added the tablespoon of water. I do not have a line running outside as the garage is non-insulated and no vehicles run in the garage.

Why has my ph not increased like all my reading said it should?

The date/time line is when scrubber was added in the photo.

Get a CO2 meter and test the room. This will help you understand where the problem is.

 

[Reefahholic]

I added a CO2 scrubber the other day and have not seen any increase in my ph. I am maxing out 7.95-7.98 before and after adding the scrubber. I got the BRS media and BRS Universal Scrubber. I have it located in my garage and added the tablespoon of water. I do not have a line running outside as the garage is non-insulated and no vehicles run in the garage.

Why has my ph not increased like all my reading said it should?

The date/time line is when scrubber was added in the photo.

Normally reefers get about a 0.1 bump. If you’re not, consider raising up your skimmer so you can turn the pump up higher. Or get a more efficient skimmer if it’s time to upgrade. I’ve noticed some skimmers don’t give very good air draw or technology. You may want to test that line and try to run it outside just to see if it makes a difference.

Also consider dosing Kalk.

 

[bkhunt]

Ran line into garage prior to reactor then extended it out the garage window and both were no change.

My skimmer is running at full speed and producing a collection cup of skim every few days.

Additives: 1 bio-digest weekly, calcium reactor, and amino acids daily

I was using kalk water in my ATO and had no affect on my ph only my alkalinity.

CO2 meter I think would be useless as the air is coming from the garage with the window open and not from in the house.

 

[A_Blind_Reefer]

Ran line into garage prior to reactor then extended it out the garage window and both were no change.

My skimmer is running at full speed and producing a collection cup of skim every few days.

Additives: 1 bio-digest weekly, calcium reactor, and amino acids daily

I was using kalk water in my ATO and had no affect on my ph only my alkalinity.

CO2 meter I think would be useless as the air is coming from the garage with the window open and not from in the house.

I will defer to the calrx experts out there, but I do know they depress ph. What is the ph of your effluent? Kalkwasser should have had some affect on your ph I would think. If fresh air did not raise your ph before you added a Co2 skimmer, a co2 scrubber will do nothing.

 

[Coolcasino]

My question is why has my ph not gone up? My skimmer is still producing skimmate like it did so I am thinking it is pulling enough air.

What skimmer do you have? How big is your tank?

 

[Stormlasher]

check for dead things im allways doing filter socks and cleaning my barebottem tank its super hard to keep ph above 8.1 anything decaying will drop it aswell

 

[bkhunt]

What skimmer do you have? How big is your tank?

Simplicity 320dc - 150G display with attached 30g frag tank - total volume is about 200g with the sump.

check for dead things im allways doing filter socks and cleaning my barebottem tank its super hard to keep ph above 8.1 anything decaying will drop it aswell

nothing has died all fish are accounted for. There may be 3-4 snail in display and 3-4 hermits in frag tank.

 

[Coolcasino]

150G display with attached 30g frag tank - total volume is about 200g with the sump.

I think your tank is too big for that reactor. I had to upgrade to the jumbo reactor for my 125g. Try adding a second chamber.

 

[IKD]

What size CO2 reactor did you pick up? Other option is to turn off your CaRx for a couple days and see how the improves the pH.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

The effect of a scrubber is always a balance between aeration with high CO2 air via the tank top (and any other exposed areas) and aeration via the skimmer with low CO2 air.

 

[bkhunt]

How much would adding on a recirculating mod possible increase ph?

 

[Coolcasino]

How much would adding on a recirculating mod possible increase ph?

Hard to say. Your media will last way longer tho.

 

[bkhunt]

Ok another stupid question

do I need to keep the water at the bottom of canister? I added the tbsp like directions said but if had evaporated already on day 3. I did add more but wondering if I need to keep adding as needed.

 

[A_Blind_Reefer]

Ok another stupid question

do I need to keep the water at the bottom of canister? I added the tbsp like directions said but if had evaporated already on day 3. I did add more but wondering if I need to keep adding as needed.

Humidity helps the process. Some have diyd a pre canister with water in it. You could search for that if it’s something you want to do. It will not solve your issue with low ph though.

 

[A_Blind_Reefer]

How much would adding on a recirculating mod possible increase ph?

The recirculating process is primarily an effort to extend the life of the co2 media. There are mixed thoughts as to whether it’s beneficial or not as you reduce the amount of fresh air being injected and suck back and return possible skimmate off gas.