Should I use a CO2 scrubber

[pandaparties]

My pH ranges from about 8.05 in the AM to 8.2 in the PM. I know they say the ideal is 8.4 but not sure how much of a difference that's going to make for my tank. I have a scrubber I can use but feels like another thing to worry about and change if it's not super necessary

 

[mdb_talon]

If I were you and your lowpoint was 8 I would not use a scrubber. It is one more thing to go wrong and to maintain/buy media for.

 

[pandaparties]

If I were you and your lowpoint was 8 I would not use a scrubber. It is one more thing to go wrong and to maintain/buy media for.

That's kind of what i was leaning towards as well, i rarely drop below 8.05 and never below 8. I also have access to an airline outside but i've heard that can be problematic with pollutants and insecticides

 

[mdb_talon]

That's kind of what i was leaning towards as well, i rarely drop below 8.05 and never below 8. I also have access to an airline outside but i've heard that can be problematic with pollutants and insecticides

Ya i use an outside airline. I live in a rural area though clean air and no sprays/exhaust/etc other than what i control.

In my case though i had a much lower range (daily lowpoint was more like 7.6). If i could have a lowpoint of 8 without the outside airline i would not bother with it. I tried to convince my family to breath less, but they found that unreasonable.

 

[costaricareef]

Calibrate your probe first if you haven't done so for a couple of months. I was 6 months in without calibration and worried with ph of 7.95-8.15. Put in a scrubber, second CaRx chamber, and not much difference. Thankfully I did not drill my walls to get outside air. Calibrated the ph probe this weekend, and instead of reading 7.95-8.15 it's now at 8.26-8.41. Lesson learned, will calibrate every three months now and at the very least before doing anything to "fix" my ph. Since I have a calcium reactor, I think I'll leave the scrubber in and see how it goes and when the media is exhausted see where I'm at. Again, as many experienced people here say, don't chase ph, especially if things are looking well.

 

[pandaparties]

Calibrate your probe first if you haven't done so for a couple of months. I was 6 months in without calibration and worried with ph of 7.95-8.15. Put in a scrubber, second CaRx chamber, and not much difference. Thankfully I did not drill my walls to get outside air. Calibrated the ph probe this weekend, and instead of reading 7.95-8.15 it's now at 8.26-8.41. Lesson learned, will calibrate every three months now and at the very least before doing anything to "fix" my ph. Since I have a calcium reactor, I think I'll leave the scrubber in and see how it goes and when the media is exhausted see where I'm at. Again, as many experienced people here say, don't chase ph, especially if things are looking well.

I have a calcium reactor too, and my probe is recently calibrated and lined up with other tests so I know that's good. I feel like with the size of my tank at 500g I'm going to burn through media quick and it's just going to be a hassle

 

[acropora4u]

i would add a c02 scrubber like i did 4 days ago, makes a nice difference

 

[mdb_talon]

I have a calcium reactor too, and my probe is recently calibrated and lined up with other tests so I know that's good. I feel like with the size of my tank at 500g I'm going to burn through media quick and it's just going to be a hassle

Haha 500g. No way on earth i would use a scrubber. The media cost would really cut into my coral budget, but again i think your PH is good.

 

[mdb_talon]

i would add a c02 scrubber like i did 4 days ago, makes a nice difference

For sure they can make a huge difference in tanks that have excess co2, but in tanks without that issue the difference is little to none.

 

[Scorpius]

To answer the title of your thread, no.

 

[jgirardnrg]

I started running a scrubber and it bumped me from 7.9 to a low of 8.2 and a high of 8.4. Up to you, but for me it's worth it.

 

[acropora4u]

I started running a scrubber and it bumped me from 7.9 to a low of 8.2 and a high of 8.4. Up to you, but for me it's worth it.

100%

 

[costaricareef]

I missed the part about the 500g. Maybe outside air will the better long term solution, with the necessary precautions.

 

[jda]

They work if you don't mind buying the media. Make sure that you need one. Try to get fresh air into your home first - cheaper, easier and probably better for everybody. Most pH problems are with too much ambient co2 in your home. It is not always possible to air out the house, but spring and fall usually are good times.

Look into a pH pen to double check your probe. pH probe is some of the most unreliable pieces of equipment in the hobby, so don't trust them too much.

Personally, I would not worry about pH unless it gets below 7.8 for real.