Fresh air for skimmer

Mydoghasfleas · Dec 23, 2022

After keeping windows open, I am convinced I need to get fresh air into my skimmer for PH purposes. I am going to go up through the ceiling of my fish room and into the attic.

I have a Tunze skimmer. I feel I will need an air pump to avoid skimmer performance problems. Can someone link how this is done?

Also I feel I should use carbon to filter the air. How exactly is that done?

Thanks!

vetteguy53081 · Dec 23, 2022

Mydoghasfleas said:
After keeping windows open, I am convinced I need to get fresh air into my skimmer for PH purposes. I am going to go up through the ceiling of my fish room and into the attic.

I have a Tunze skimmer. I feel I will need an air pump to avoid skimmer performance problems. Can someone link how this is done?

Also I feel I should use carbon to filter the air. How exactly is that done?

Thanks!

While it should work, you want to not go too long of tube as you will lose air volume. If you have satellite or cable coming into room outlets, often there is a cable connected from outside giving you access with short travel. Other option is CO2 Scrubber

Pistondog · Dec 23, 2022

No need for air pump, just reduce flow resistance by running 1/2" tube for air.
I did this thru the floor.
Put a screen on the attic end to keep bugs out.

Mydoghasfleas · Dec 23, 2022

Or better to run all the way outside through soffit

Mydoghasfleas · Dec 23, 2022

vetteguy53081 said:
While it should work, you want to not go too long of tube as you will lose air volume. If you have satellite or cable coming into room outlets, often there is a cable connected from outside giving you access with short travel. Other option is CO2 Scrubber

I have to find where it comes in at! I have a CO2 scrubber, but I think I can get rid of it if I can get fresh air.

Steve2020 · Dec 23, 2022

Mydoghasfleas said:
After keeping windows open, I am convinced I need to get fresh air into my skimmer for PH purposes. I am going to go up through the ceiling of my fish room and into the attic.

I have a Tunze skimmer. I feel I will need an air pump to avoid skimmer performance problems. Can someone link how this is done?

Also I feel I should use carbon to filter the air. How exactly is that done?

Thanks!

I am using 1/2" hose with a run of 65ft and an air pump was not needed. I do run a CO2 scrubber with skimmer recirc with the fresh air also inputted to the CO scrubber but I did test just the 1/2" fresh air line only to the skimmer and there was no difference in the foam level in the skimmer compared to the normal air input of the skimmer. My airline is in the furnace fresh air supply hose.
Below is my setup incase you also decide to run CO2 scrubber skimmer recirc. My tank is in my lower level and due to CO2 being heavier than air my tank is located in the highest CO2 area of my home. My ph went from a fluctuation of 7.9 to 8.1 to a fluctuation of 8.35 to 8.44 with this setup. It would go higher if I allowed it to but I regulate my ph with my GHL Profilux that opens a electronic ball valve when at 8.44 to allow high CO2 air in and closes at 8.42. You can see this action in the chart.