Ph drop .2-.3 in one day, no changes to alk

[mitch91175]

I bet if you ran fresh media in both canisters your pH would be higher and you'd have to switch both out less often

The highest I have seen my pH is 8.2 with running both canisters. New construction no air exchange. Only time it was much higher was when I opened windows and doors.

 

[BigJohnny]

The highest I have seen my pH is 8.2 with running both canisters. New construction no air exchange. Only time it was much higher was when I opened windows and doors.

Have you tried running only 1 with just fresh media?

 

[mitch91175]

Have you tried running only 1 with just fresh media?

Yes I only had one to start out with the I just recently added the 2nd about a week or so ago. I added the 2nd to get a longer time before having to change. I have another reactor ready to put on my frag tank once the other media turns white. I haven’t run any CO2 on the frag tank so that will be an ideal test to run it on. I know from the Apex the highest that my pH has reached without any CO2 and will see where is goes once I add the CO2 with the used media. Definitely hope that once it turns white again that it gives me at least 3 more days of usage at an increased pH overall.

 

[mitch91175]

I just checked out my ziplock bag and I think another day or so I will be able to begin the test to see what happens and how long it will last.

 

[mitch91175]

I just had to order something from BRS so I will begin the test on Thursday once I receive it from them. That will give me a few more days in the ziplock bag. Stay tuned and fingers crossed.

 

[mitch91175]

Starting my experiment with one CO2 scrubber on my frag tank with pre-used media. Will report back here later today with an update on where my pH goes. The highest I have seen on my frag tank is 8.17 without any CO2 scrubber. pH probe was also calibrated when upgrading the the Apex as well.

NOTE: I just replaced the 1st canister on my DT with some more media. The 2nd canister has begun turning purple again, so I'd say getting additional days out of the used once turned white works for me and will continue to ziplock bag the used, let it turn white, and put in the 1st canister on my DT.

Also, I do carbon dose so it does have an affect on the highest I can get my pH. I am very comfortable with it being above 8. Last night I left my skimmer off on the DT and it dropped back down to 7.8. Definitely helps.

Another thing to add, I do not carbon dose my frag tank ATM.

 

[mitch91175]

Currently at 8.22 pH with the used media.

 

[mitch91175]

Well I think that it work to an extent. May not get a week out of the media that turns white, but likely will get another 3 days out of it. I am convinced that putting it in a ziplock bag and letting it turn white again will help me not having to buy as frequently and will continue to do it this way. pH reached 8.3 today so that is much higher than I expected it to get.

No scientific evidence here, just simple process that works for me.

Currently holding steady at 8.29 and will see how low it gets overnight. FYI, I do not have a light in the sump area so traditionally it would drop drastically when not running a reverse light cycle. You guys can try it and see for yourself if it will extend the life of your media.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

No scientific evidence here, just simple process that works for me.

The science has been known since at least 1948.

Letting the media rest between uses allows more effective use of all of it:

http://anesthesiology.pubs.asahq.org/article.aspx?articleid=1972305

 

[mitch91175]

The science has been known since at least 1948.

Letting the media rest between uses allows more effective use of all of it:

http://anesthesiology.pubs.asahq.org/article.aspx?articleid=1972305

Hey, that's what I'll continue to do. Why throw it away when I can squeeze ever little bit of life out of it? I think that is what most do and stop doing CO2 scrubbing because they feel it is expensive. If they only knew that they are get more time out of it.

 

[mitch91175]

Here is an updated graph:

The lowest it dropped last night was 8.25

 

[mitch91175]

The science has been known since at least 1948.

Letting the media rest between uses allows more effective use of all of it:

http://anesthesiology.pubs.asahq.org/article.aspx?articleid=1972305

I saw that article when I was looking into CO2 scrubbing, but everyone was saying that it cannot be "recharged". Although it isn't a recharged, I equate this the same as extending the life of DI resin (from what I have read it is definitely a messy endeavor).

Allows me to buy more corals

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Well, it technically can't be recharged. In a science forum like this, we are particular about the words we use.

 

[mitch91175]

Well, it technically can't be recharged. In a science forum like this, we are particular about the words we use.

Would "reuse" work out going forward?

 

[AllTheCorals]

Am I better off scrubbing c02 in my home
or leaving my skimmer line ran outside? I currently see a swing of 8.15 down to 7.85.

My stand has no doors so recycling the same air isn’t an option for me. Thank you!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Am I better off scrubbing c02 in my home
or leaving my skimmer line ran outside? I currently see a swing of 8.15 down to 7.85.

My stand has no doors so recycling the same air isn’t an option for me. Thank you!

Scrubbers can theoretically be much more effective, but also cost money to operate while outside air costs nothing. You can also use both to reduce the cost of the scrubber material since it gets consumed more slowly.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Would "reuse" work out going forward?

A good single word doesn't come to mind at the moment, but "get more use from" is the intended meaning.

 

[mitch91175]

Scrubbers can theoretically be much more effective, but also cost money to operate while outside air costs nothing. You can also use both to reduce the cost of the scrubber material since it gets consumed more slowly.

Yeah for me on my DT there is not way to get outside air to it unless I open door and windows. On my frag tank I am going to drill a hole in the wall to get air to the skimmer.