Question on length of outside skimmer line

[Sierra_Bravo]

I'm unsure if the distance and the equipment of what I want to have between the outside and my skimmer matters. I would think it wouldn't, but I'll take your input.

I'm running a 12' piece of 1" PVC and penetrating the exterior wall. Capping with a tube adapter, then switching to 1/2" flexible tubing to the skimmer, which will add 10' more distance. Between the PVC pipe and the skimmer I want to run the line through a small carbon chamber and a CO2 scrubber.

Question is if the venturi on my skimmer will be able to suck air through all this or does it matter since the air pressure will compensate?

 

[cmaxwell39]

I am not an expert, but it should be fine. If you wanted to run 20' of 1/4" tubing it would not likely work well, but with the size of the pipes you have listed it should allow the amount of air the skimmer is going to draw to move freely.

A couple of questions that may allow others to help more...

What size is the air inlet on the venuturi?

What is the need for the CO2 scrubber and carbon if you are drawing air from outside?

 

[Gablami]

I’ve run two outside lines. It would be helpful to know the size of your skimmer. My BK 180 double cone airline aperture is smaller than my BK 200 double cone.

First, I think it’s helpful that you start the run with 1” PVC. Keeping it large as much as possible should help. Also air resistance is a lot less than water. 1/2” is still decent sized. But once again, depends on your skimmer size.

secondly, why are you running an outside line AND running a co2 scrubber? Personally I think it’s redundant. I’ve run both, and I don’t think you’ll need the scrubber. It’s just another chore and cost to replace the media. Why don’t you see how the outside line goes for your pH and add the scrubber if you’re not happy.

 

[((FORDTECH))]

I'm unsure if the distance and the equipment of what I want to have between the outside and my skimmer matters. I would think it wouldn't, but I'll take your input.

I'm running a 12' piece of 1" PVC and penetrating the exterior wall. Capping with a tube adapter, then switching to 1/2" flexible tubing to the skimmer, which will add 10' more distance. Between the PVC pipe and the skimmer I want to run the line through a small carbon chamber and a CO2 scrubber.

Question is if the venturi on my skimmer will be able to suck air through all this or does it matter since the air pressure will compensate?

1 1/2 inch pvc threw window and 1/2 inner diameter John guest hose from skimmer to pvc. I choose 1 1/2 inch to Guarantee No restriction no matter what. At that size it’s almost like hose is outside

 

[((FORDTECH))]

I'm unsure if the distance and the equipment of what I want to have between the outside and my skimmer matters. I would think it wouldn't, but I'll take your input.

I'm running a 12' piece of 1" PVC and penetrating the exterior wall. Capping with a tube adapter, then switching to 1/2" flexible tubing to the skimmer, which will add 10' more distance. Between the PVC pipe and the skimmer I want to run the line through a small carbon chamber and a CO2 scrubber.

Question is if the venturi on my skimmer will be able to suck air through all this or does it matter since the air pressure will compensate?

And then I decided going threw an easily replaceable 200$ window was better idea then not easily replaceable brick wall . Bulkhead with turned down 90 and 1 1/2 inch strainer

 

[Sierra_Bravo]

And then I decided going threw an easily replaceable 200$ window was better idea then not easily replaceable brick wall . Bulkhead with turned down 90 and 1 1/2 inch strainer

How are your results?

 

[((FORDTECH))]

My results where amazing till I turned on the ac recently. Durning past 8 months with no ac on I got .2-.3 increase in first 24 hours of doing this and it held the .2-.3 higher ph the whole time till 2 weeks ago when ac was turned on. 7.9 to solid 8.2 over night. But like I said now that ac been on last 2 weeks I have my next challenge to figure out why and what I can do to get it back.

 

[Sierra_Bravo]

I installed it all today. Skimmer works fine. We'll see how the pH reacts.

 

[gfd71]

My results where amazing till I turned on the ac recently. Durning past 8 months with no ac on I got .2-.3 increase in first 24 hours of doing this and it held the .2-.3 higher ph the whole time till 2 weeks ago when ac was turned on. 7.9 to solid 8.2 over night. But like I said now that ac been on last 2 weeks I have my next challenge to figure out why and what I can do to get it back.

That’s interesting!
I have a scrubber and since running the ac for the last week straight my ph is lower. I wonder if it has to do with the dehumidifying it does inside the house?

 

[ca1ore]

Air is subject to friction through a pipe just like water. Although I don’t run a fresh air line anymore, when I did I always upsized the line.

 

[((FORDTECH))]

That’s interesting!
I have a scrubber and since running the ac for the last week straight my ph is lower. I wonder if it has to do with the dehumidifying it does inside the house?

Same happen to me but no scrubber just large air line outside that was working great till ac on. This is my thread I started on it and Randy from brs responded but it’s still hard for me to understand or accept. You can read it all if you like here.

Solid .2 ph drop over night after a/c turned on

As title states last night I turned on my ac for first time this year and when woke up this morning ph is at 7.9 and always runs at 8.1-8.2 I know this is not out of range or something I should immediately be concerned about but I’d like to know why this happened. I do have my skimmer line...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Sierra_Bravo]

Air is subject to friction through a pipe just like water. Although I don’t run a fresh airline anymore, when I did I always upsized the line.

That was my original concern. Posting for what it's worth to someone else, I used a 3/4" piece of PVC (10'), 1/2"OD vinyl tube (20'), and am pulling the air through a BRS reactor full of carbon and an Avast media reactor full of soda lime pellets. I didn't even have to adjust my skimmer; air is pulled in fine.

This morning I have around a .15 to .2 change in normal AM pH which is less than what I'd like to see, but better than what I had which was dipping into the 7.7's overnight (with grow lights on my chaeto).