Ice Cap Co2 Scrubber (Large)

[Jody Owens]

I recently installed 2 Co2 Scrubbers on my 2 aquariums. I ended up going with the large version of the Ice Cap because I thought the media would last longer. After installing them on Saturday, I have noticed that the media has went from the bright pink to an almost white. Should it really exhaust the media that quickly? That seems like it is extremely fast.

 

[DarthChaos]

I tried a Co2 scrubber - sold it w/in a week.

Depending on how bad your Co2 is.....you'll burn thru the media VERY fast. And - it gets very costly.

My last choice....for a pH booster.

 

[Jody Owens]

I tried a Co2 scrubber - sold it w/in a week.

Depending on how bad your Co2 is.....you'll burn thru the media VERY fast. And - it gets very costly.

My last choice....for a pH booster.

What do you recommend?

 

[DarthChaos]

What do you recommend?

My preferred choices for raising pH - in order of cost.

1. Skimmer pulling in fresh air. Easy to do and depending on skimmer motor, you can pull from a good distance. Very cheap.

2. Air stone - does NOT need to be pulling outside air. Air pump beside the tank...run it 24/7 will give you a nice little boost. Cheap.

3. Kalkwasser. Media is cheap...but setup can be a bit. You want a good stirrer and ideally, a pump that'll drip (not dose) kalk - for best results.

4. Co2 scrubber - by far the most expensive option, depending on how bad your Co2 is. You can end up blowing thru media and constantly needing to change it. Cost can add up very very quickly.

Whatever you choose...its best to run these things 24/7 for the best overall results. It's is 100% natural and normal for pH to rise and fall.

I've tried all these...and this is basically the list I've made. I do do it all 24/7 - rather than night, as I prefer the benefits constantly.

 

[UMALUM]

So a couple things to consider would be that not all media is created equal and you do get what you pay for. Also high humidity environments will help and hurt the media almost at the same time. The best way to figure it out would be to gage the bump you get after adding the new media. If your sitting at 7.9 and then hitting 8.2 with only the scrubber than yes your c02 levels are rich. It still doesn't explain the expiration of that much media in 4 days. Some say the media will activate if mishandled or not stored properly but I'm kinda skeptical about that.

 

[Jody Owens]

So a couple things to consider would be that not all media is created equal and you do get what you pay for. Also high humidity environments will help and hurt the media almost at the same time. The best way to figure it out would be to gage the bump you get after adding the new media. If your sitting at 7.9 and then hitting 8.2 with only the scrubber than yes your c02 levels are rich. It still doesn't explain the expiration of that much media in 4 days. Some say the media will activate if mishandled or not stored properly but I'm kinda skeptical about that.

I am using the IceCap media and all of the media is currently still showing pink even thought it hasn't been used. I am all for trying different brands once I use this up. I am seeing an insane jump in pH honestly with just the scrubber so I am sure that my CO2 level are probably pretty insane. I am considering running outside air into the CO2 scrubber to see if that helps extend the life some.

 

[UMALUM]

I am using the IceCap media and all of the media is currently still showing pink even thought it hasn't been used. I am all for trying different brands once I use this up. I am seeing an insane jump in pH honestly with just the scrubber so I am sure that my CO2 level are probably pretty insane. I am considering running outside air into the CO2 scrubber to see if that helps extend the life some.

I'm still using the rest of my icecap media also but from what I've researched its on the lower end. Running a line outside helped my media and got me to 8.4 but then summer hit and the humidity is beating it up.

 

[Jody Owens]

I'm still using the rest of my icecap media also but from what I've researched its on the lower end. Running a line outside helped my media and got me to 8.4 but then summer hit and the humidity is beating it up.

Which media is better? Even getting it at a discount makes it not worth it.

 

[UMALUM]

Which media is better? Even getting it at a discount makes it not worth it.

Not sure but I bet someone on here knows. I agree unless I find something for the summer that's quality I'll just rely on the fresh air and live with 8.2. One less thing to keep an eye on is always a plus with me.

 

[Jody Owens]

Not sure but I bet someone on here knows. I agree unless I find something for the summer that's quality I'll just rely on the fresh air and live with 8.2. One less thing to keep an eye on is always a plus with me.

I was at 7.5-7.6 on my two tanks. I am going to look at running outside air to them.

 

[UMALUM]

I was at 7.5-7.6 on my two tanks. I am going to look at running outside air to them.

Not sure what skimmer you have but I was able to get some 1/2 inch od from home depot that's working out well. It's a slightly harder material that won't crimp even if ran under a jam temporarily.

 

[Jody Owens]

Not sure what skimmer you have but I was able to get some 1/2 inch od from home depot that's working out well. It's a slightly harder material that won't crimp even if ran under a jam temporarily.

Red Sea Dc 600 and 900

 

[TheMetalReefs]

co2 scrubber didnt really work for me. didnt see much of a difference in ph. i used the brs media.
now i drip kalk.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

2. Air stone - does NOT need to be pulling outside air. Air pump beside the tank...run it 24/7 will give you a nice little boost. Cheap.

FWIW, increasing aeration with a skimmer or air stone using inside air can increase or decrease pH, and may have different effects at different times of day based on the CO2 level in the air and the tank pH and alk.

 

[UMALUM]

Red Sea Dc 600 and 900

 

[saltyfins]

Not sure but I bet someone on here knows. I agree unless I find something for the summer that's quality I'll just rely on the fresh air and live with 8.2. One less thing to keep an eye on is always a plus with me.

JorVet soda lime, is the best I have used. I have tried a few, and not one of them compares. it lasts a lot longer, and is more stable.

 

[UMALUM]

JorVet soda lime, is the best I have used. I have tried a few, and not one of them compares. it lasts a lot longer, and is more stable.

Sold, thank you.

 

[saltyfins]

Sold, thank you.

seriously, it makes a difference! try the small bag first, and then when you see the difference, get the 5 gallon jug! order from the vet online, and you'll save money with both sizes. I also have air coming from outside, then to scrubber, then to skimmer and I have to back mine off! it goes to 8.5!! which, I am ok with to a point...but I can tell you, my coral growth has been stupid fast!

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

seriously, it makes a difference! try the small bag first, and then when you see the difference, get the 5 gallon jug! order from the vet online, and you'll save money with both sizes. I also have air coming from outside, then to scrubber, then to skimmer and I have to back mine off! it goes to 8.5!! which, I am ok with to a point...but I can tell you, my coral growth has been stupid fast!

How many lbs does a 5gallon bucket give you? I am having the same issue as the OP with my tank in basement. I am even considering drilling a hole to the outside of my brick home just to run tubing through. I want fast growth of corals.

 

[Jody Owens]

I ended up pulling outside air to each of my tanks. I put a 1 1/4 PVC pipe outside that splits down to 2 1/2" PVC pipes ran to each tank. I am using the CoralVue media. I get a steep discount on it, but no amount of discount makes it worth it if it doesn't last.