Outside air skimmer line from attic or crawlspace safe?

BrandonS · Sep 17, 2020

Wondering if anyone has any ill effects from running an outside air line for there skimmer to an attic or crawlspace. Assuming you crawlspace or attic doesn't have mold, excessive moisture or poor ventilation would this be a viable location to pull from? Would make the run a lot shorter than trying to get to an outside wall for most people.

AlexG · Sep 17, 2020

In general it should not be an issue to draw air from either space. The only consideration is the temperature of the air being drawn into the skimmer to ensure it does not impact the aquarium in a negative way. If the air temperature does impact the aquarium temp in a negative way then a heat exchanger could be installed on the air line to help equalize the air temp with the interior of the house before being drawn into the skimmer. Using an air filter (filter floss) and a carbon filter can help remove any contaminates which is a good practice no matter where the air is being drawn from.

dantimdad · Sep 17, 2020

You answered your own question. As long as contaminants can’t get in you are ok to draw from there.

BrandonS · Sep 17, 2020

dantimdad said:
You answered your own question. As long as contaminants can’t get in you are ok to draw from there.

wasn't sure if I was missing something.

Halal Hotdog · Sep 17, 2020

IME pulling from different parts of the house was never significantly beneficial for me. Typically houses equalize between CO2/O2. Pulling from outside air did show an improvement in pH.

Gablami · Sep 17, 2020

I draw from the crawlspace, and it definitely bumps my pH. Perhaps the attic is a different story, depending on how well it is ventilated.

vetteguy53081 · Sep 17, 2020

Attic offers better circulation but as long as you’re in the Attic, might as well Run it through window or vent fan to outside air

Softhammer · Sep 17, 2020

If you are going to the attic why not run it all the way to a soffit to then draw in true outside air?

Eagle_Steve · Sep 17, 2020

I went crawl space on mine, but did that and went out a hole I drilled in the block lol. Used a small nema box on the side of the block, hoses run into it and then box has filter floss/carbon pad, and holes drilled in the bottom for fresh air. Works great and looks like a small service box.

dantimdad · Sep 17, 2020

BrandonS said:
wasn't sure if I was missing something.

nope you are on point. For what it’s worth. I drew offthe craw space last tank. This one I will draw off the outside and out a thermometer probe right by the skimmer output To make sure the heat or cold doesn’t cause huge swings

92Miata · Sep 17, 2020

Attic temperature would be my biggest concern - so I'd run it to the soffit. My attic is like 1000 degrees during the hottest part of the year - and that's the time of year you're already going to have the most heat issues.

BrandonS · Sep 17, 2020

vetteguy53081 said:
Attic offers better circulation but as long as you’re in the Attic, might as well Run it through window or vent fan to outside air

more of trying to keep the run length down.

BrandonS · Sep 17, 2020

92Miata said:
Attic temperature would be my biggest concern - so I'd run it to the soffit. My attic is like 1000 degrees during the hottest part of the year - and that's the time of year you're already going to have the most heat issues.

depending on length of run wouldn't it heat up the air in the tube from the soffit through the attic before it gets to the tank? So crawlspace may be the better option?

BrandonS · Sep 17, 2020

Eagle_Steve said:
I went crawl space on mine, but did that and went out a hole I drilled in the block lol. Used a small nema box on the side of the block, hoses run into it and then box has filter floss/carbon pad, and holes drilled in the bottom for fresh air. Works great and looks like a small service box.

What is the length and size of your air tubing? like the filter idea!

vetteguy53081 · Sep 17, 2020

BrandonS said:
depending on length of run wouldn't it heat up the air in the tube from the soffit through the attic before it gets to the tank? So crawlspace may be the better option?

For me- crawlspace is super cold in winter opposed to attic temperature. Crawlspaces can be very stagnant why I never did use crawlspace not to mention ants or spiders getting in the tube. My preference is through the ceilin register going to attic- length was 16 feet

BrandonS · Sep 17, 2020

vetteguy53081 said:
For me- crawlspace is super cold in winter opposed to attic temperature. Crawlspaces can be very stagnant why I never did use crawlspace not to mention ants or spiders getting in the tube. My preference is through the ceilin register going to attic- length was 16 feet

1/4 inch air tubing/RO line?

vetteguy53081 · Sep 17, 2020

BrandonS said:
1/4 inch air tubing/RO line?

RO rigid line

Gablami · Sep 17, 2020

I used to use 1/2" RO tubing, and now I'm using 3/8 vinyl tubing. I would go bigger (depending on size of skimmer). I think 1/4" would be too narrow. Wouldn't want to reduce the efficiency of your skimmer.

JRAD · Sep 17, 2020

Brandon-I have my skimmer air feed through the wall behind my tank. Drilled 1/2 inch hole and put rigid tubing through the wall and into the adjacent attic. (tank is on 2nd floor with walk-in attic space). Just in case put a carbon filter in line (a BRS filter originally used for co2 scrubbing media) to make sure any contaminants get filtered out. Been up and running for a year with no probs!