Monster CO2 Scrubber

[jfbhd4]

I have a 300 gal system. PH was naturally aroudn 7.7.

Bought a small CO2 scrubber from BRS and PH jumped to around 7.9.

Then i bought a monster 2 reactor scrubber with 8lbs of media and figured that would do the trick--- only bumped it slightly below 8.

Guess i have to get outside air into it now instead? Thought the much bigger scrubber would do the trick...guess not.

 

[reefluvrr]

Have you tried recirculating the air thru your skimmer? I have done this and saw an increase in longevity of the media as well as another .1 to .2 bump during the day.
I also connect a small air pump line to the skimmer so that some fresh air is introduced as well. If your pH is too high then you may strip away too much CO2 necessary for photosynthesis from zooxanthela in our corals.

 

[jfbhd4]

How would I accomplish recirculating?

I have this skimmer...

Red Sea RSK Skimmer | Aquarium Supplies at LiveAquaria

www.liveaquaria.com

 

[jfbhd4]

 

[reefluvrr]

Crude drawing but hope it helps...

 

[SPS2020]

You'll need to drill a hole for the Murlock 90 degree fitting in the top of the skimmer. Then attach tubing and route as indicated in the reply above. Here's a pic for reference...

 

[jfbhd4]

I see you have the scrubber plumbed directly to your skimmer pump- is this how it is supposed to go? i have it going from the black hose (above) to the scrubber...

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

FWIW, I'm not a fan of recirculating the skimmer/scrubber air.

It gives up one of the benefits of skimming: O2 equilibration with the air.

 

[jfbhd4]

so you think plumbing it to outdoor air will work better?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

so you think plumbing it to outdoor air will work better?

It may or may not work better than recirculating from a CO2 perspective (depends on the CO2 level in the skimmer outlet air), but it is a better way to accomplish the CO2 lowering, IMO,.

media will last longer if you use outdoor air, but in some locations/seasons, you want want to humidify it before the scrubber.

 

[jfbhd4]

I plumbed it to the outdoor air. Got PH up to 7.9. Think i need to check my alk and ca to see if those are low.