Recirculating CO2 Scrubber Skimmer Cap

[Projects with Sam]

Recirculating CO2 Scrubber Skimmer Cap

Skimmer CO2 Scrubber Cap

3D printed skimmer cap to hold bags of soda lime to reduce CO2 in the skimmer air intake. The top cap has two 6.5mm O.D. tubes protruding from the rim. These tubes should be attached to the skimmer air input. If your skimmer is not listed, contact me and I can add it. This is still in...

parlaquatics.com

www.ParlAquatics.com

Install video:

 

[REEFRIED!]

This is clever.

 

[jmichaelh7]

I think Dev from reef dudes had this idea. Just wasn’t made official until now

 

[Projects with Sam]

I think Dev from reef dudes had this idea. Just wasn’t made official until now

I actually got the idea when I was talking to @PeterC99. Didn't see it on Reef Dudes. How'd he make it official?
Mine works great.

 

[jpjerry]

Hi. I would like to get one skimmer CO2 scrubber cap for my Nyos 160 but I’m not sure about the size.
thank you

 

[Projects with Sam]

Hi. I would like to get one skimmer CO2 scrubber cap for my Nyos 160 but I’m not sure about the size.
thank you

Hi, I will need measurement (diameter) for the top cap from side to side. With those I can make your skimmer cap.

 

[drawman]

I'm curious @Projects with Sam how much of a pH bump did you get with this?

 

[Projects with Sam]

I'm curious @Projects with Sam how much of a pH bump did you get with this?

I would like to think I get at least a 0.02 to 0.04 pH boost but its so hard to tell because I change so much all the time.
I was unable to get above 8 before I installed it and now I've been able to hit 8.2. I've also increased my Kalk dosing as my reef's alk requirements have increased.
The media turns purple over time indicating that CO2 is being absorbed. Furthermore, I don't get awful skimmer smells because they're being recirculated.
My last refill I wet the soda lime too much so it joined together and the air was just going around it. It took me the longest time to figure out what was wrong with my reef; I could tell something was off; just didn't figure it out till I checked the cap and the media was still white a month after I refilled it (just the edges were pink).

 

[jmichaelh7]

Anyone know how to install a shut off valve for recirculating co2 scrubber

 

[Projects with Sam]

Anyone know how to install a shut off valve for recirculating co2 scrubber

I got something like this:
then a 12V power adapter from Goodwill.
plugged into my Apex to power-up & open and let regular air in if Ph over 8.4

 

[michealprater]

Wouldnt the soda lime get all nasty in there due to the skimmate passing right under it?

 

[Projects with Sam]

Wouldnt the soda lime get all nasty in there due to the skimmate passing right under it?

Surprisingly, the media stays about as nice as it would in the RODI style scrubbers provided the skimmer doesn't overflow. Even when it does overflow, its not that bad because of the seep holes and 1/4" air-gap between the top of the skimmer lid and the media.

 

[Nano_Man]

Surprisingly, the media stays about as nice as it would in the RODI style scrubbers provided the skimmer doesn't overflow. Even when it does overflow, its not that bad because of the seep holes and 1/4" air-gap between the top of the skimmer lid and the media.

Yep I like the idea
Looks good

 

[michealprater]

Surprisingly, the media stays about as nice as it would in the RODI style scrubbers provided the skimmer doesn't overflow. Even when it does overflow, its not that bad because of the seep holes and 1/4" air-gap between the top of the skimmer lid and the media.

Only reason I wondered was because I put an outlet on the top of my skimmer cup that led to an external scrubber and it sucked tons on skimmate into the bottom of the scrubber. I had to go to plan B. I think if I had not put it in the center of the cap it may have worked much better.

 

[Projects with Sam]

Only reason I wondered was because I put an outlet on the top of my skimmer cup that led to an external scrubber and it sucked tons on skimmate into the bottom of the scrubber. I had to go to plan B. I think if I had not put it in the center of the cap it may have worked much better.

when I was using a RODI style scrubber I had to add another container in-front of the CO2 scrubber media to catch all that. Either way it will go into your scrubber. I even had a cap that spaced the air intake at least 75mm off the top of my skimmer and the hose still got junk in it.

Build Thread - Sam's Oceanic 120 - DIY solutions

They're still alive and eating bbs! I haven't told my wife yet... She'll probably say something like: "oh great! more mouths to feed!" lol... Then she'll see them and wont be able to deal they're so freaking cute. specially when gorging on bbs; their little mouths & tiny little fins... they're...

www.reef2reef.com

Build Thread - Sam's Oceanic 120 - DIY solutions

Was your media white or purple when you tried it? if purple it could have been spent. I guess all it would take is a puncture in the bag and time. I guess if your skimmer couldn't pull through the media it wouldn't work either. I was extra careful to install it in a way that I shouldnt get...

www.reef2reef.com