Downside for co2 scrubber?

Notsolostfish · Oct 5, 2023

My pg dips to 7.6-7.8 mid day. And i was wondering if theres any downside to do a recirculating co2 scrubber to the skimmer? Any down sides for that? Do ph keeps going up non stop? Do the tank crash ? Does the skimmer overflow!

shakacuz · Oct 5, 2023

jda · Oct 5, 2023

They work as advertised. They remove co2. Most co2 issues are related to too much co2 in the air in the home, they usually are not really needed. Opening some windows can often take care of all pH issues. Even if you get a co2 scrubber, the media will last longer if you air out your house.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Oct 7, 2023

Only drawback to a single pass scrubber is cost.

Using a full recirculating scrubber on a skimmer gives up the oxygenation capability, and I don’t recommend that.

blaxsun · Oct 7, 2023

^ Cost. My corals are on a budget right now...

shakacuz · Oct 7, 2023

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
Only drawback to a single pass scrubber is cost.

Using a full recirculating scrubber on a skimmer gives up the oxygenation capability, and I don’t recommend that.

could one remedy the lack of oxygenation from a recirculating skimmer with more surface agitation in the DT?

Notsolostfish · Oct 7, 2023

jda said:
They work as advertised. They remove co2. Most co2 issues are related to too much co2 in the air in the home, they usually are not really needed. Opening some windows can often take care of all pH issues. Even if you get a co2 scrubber, the media will last longer if you air out your house.

jda said:
They work as advertised. They remove co2. Most co2 issues are related to too much co2 in the air in the home, they usually are not really needed. Opening some windows can often take care of all pH issues. Even if you get a co2 scrubber, the media will last longer

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
Only drawback to a single pass scrubber is cost.

Using a full recirculating scrubber on a skimmer gives up the oxygenation capability, and I don’t recommend that.

So basically its better to do it the other way is not the recirculating way?

Notsolostfish · Oct 7, 2023

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
Only drawback to a single pass scrubber is cost.

Using a full recirculating scrubber on a skimmer gives up the oxygenation capability, and I don’t recommend that.

So its better to just run the scrubber without the recirculting

jda · Oct 7, 2023

When you have lots of surface agitation you also mix in more of the high co2 air in your home along with the oxygen.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Oct 8, 2023

shakacuz said:
could one remedy the lack of oxygenation from a recirculating skimmer with more surface agitation in the DT?

Maybe, but that may also drive in more CO2 and reduce the pH

Randy Holmes-Farley · Oct 8, 2023

Hatedfish said:
So its better to just run the scrubber without the recirculting

That’s my recommendation.

Notsolostfish · Oct 8, 2023

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
That’s my recommendation.

I mean how bad is the cost really. That terrible?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Oct 8, 2023

Hatedfish said:
I mean how bad is the cost really. That terrible?

I’ve not calculated it, but it varies and can be substantial.

Notsolostfish · Oct 9, 2023

Im about to connect my co2 scrubber do u know if i should remove the cap and connect the co2 scrubber directly? Or leave the cap on and connect the tube next to it?

jda · Oct 9, 2023

That is the air silencer. A scrubber also can act as a large air silencer so you do not need that at all.

piranhaman00 · Oct 9, 2023

I wouldn’t run a scrubber without recirculating as it would cost a fortune to operate and you will be changing media constantly.

I also would not run a scrubber recirculating because you don’t get oxygen exchange and you need to be very careful about crashing your tank, I’ve seen it happen here several times.

tldr scrubbers work but have drawbacks. Open a window or unplug your pH meter

I ran one both ways and ultimately I decided to run my skimmer line outside.

DHill6 · Oct 9, 2023

From pump directly to scrubber is working. Keeps it 8.2-8.3
I’m assuming this way is alright, haven’t had any issues. Skimmer is set up for this from manufacturer.

Notsolostfish · Oct 9, 2023

piranhaman00 said:
I wouldn’t run a scrubber without recirculating as it would cost a fortune to operate and you will be changing media constantly.

I also would not run a scrubber recirculating because you don’t get oxygen exchange and you need to be very careful about crashing your tank, I’ve seen it happen here several times.

tldr scrubbers work but have drawbacks. Open a window or unplug your pH meter

I ran one both ways and ultimately I decided to run my skimmer line outside.

I dont think thats a very good advice for me because i dont have windows in my basement to open lol. And also if i drill a hole to the wall and put a line outside. That wont do me any good either why u ask? Because my neighbors light fire in their backyard every other night. My tank will be filled with smoke smell and nuke itself

Notsolostfish · Oct 9, 2023

DHill6 said:
From pump directly to scrubber is working. Keeps it 8.2-8.3
I’m assuming this way is alright, haven’t had any issues. Skimmer is set up for this from manufacturer.

How often so you change your media? And how much does it cost u?