Skimmer line through outside help

Miami Reef · Oct 28, 2021

I need some help finding the best way to get my skimmer’s air from the outdoors.

I understand I need to get the tube outside. But finding a way is kind of tricky for me.

Miami Reef · Oct 28, 2021

If you need any more pictures of different areas please let me know! If you need more detailed photos of specific areas let me know as well! I appreciate all your help!

mdb_talon · Oct 28, 2021

Whats behind the wall the tank is on? If it is an exterior wall i would go straight out that wall. Otherwise it looks like your option is through all the cabinets to the right and out there? Is there a basement(assuming not if miami) you can go down and out to exterior?

Miami Reef · Oct 28, 2021

mdb_talon said:
Whats behind the wall the tank is on? If it is an exterior wall i would go straight out that wall. Otherwise it looks like your option is through all the cabinets to the right and out there? Is there a basement(assuming not if miami) you can go down and out to exterior?

There’s a completely different room behind the wall. Might be a bit more complicated to get it through there.

I will try to get it through the cabinets like you said. Do you think I can do it myself? I never drilled through house walls before.

jmichaelh7 · Oct 28, 2021

Ph was hanging around 8.11 -8.14.
threw out old co2 media from scrubber and it’s at 8.4 today.

Consider scrubber on your skimmer I see in the pic if the line outside gets difficult.

Miami Reef · Oct 28, 2021

jmichaelh7 said:
Ph was hanging around 8.11 -8.14.
threw out old co2 media from scrubber and it’s at 8.4 today.

Consider scrubber on your skimmer I see in the pic if the line outside gets difficult.

I think I want to do this. Seems much more effective and easier.

Miami Reef · Oct 28, 2021

Do I need a PH controller to run a CO2 scrubber? As you can see from my posts, I really don’t like complicated controllers and things like that. My experience level with techy reef things is below average.

jmichaelh7 · Oct 28, 2021

No you need a scrubber with co2 media. Plug the line into your skimmer from the inlet

mdb_talon · Oct 28, 2021

You dont need a ph contoller to run a co2 scrubber. It is definitely easier to do the scrubber but more maintenance and ongoing costs.

I am not recommending an outside line by the way.....i know nothing of your scenario or if it makes sense. I have done this a few times now and if your ph is low due to high indoors co2 it can certainly help.

If you go that route though there are a couple things to keep in mind. One is condensation. Usually an issue when very cold air in the pipe and warm air around the pipe/hose then the outside of pipe/hose will sweat. Probably not a scenario in miami. However the opposite may occur which is sweating inside the pipe but not usually as big of a concern.

My other suggestion if you go the outside route would be use 3/4 or maybe 1/2" PVC for most all the run if going that far. Then use adapter to the flexible hose in stand.

Drilling through the wall could be very simple or more difficult it really hard to know and probably irresponsible to say without knowing anything about your walls. If it is a stick house with no concrete or brick its pretty straightforward with the correct drill bit, but do want to try to make sure you will miss any studs, electrical, hvac(shouldnt have that in exterior wall but never know), etc.

neonreef3d · Oct 28, 2021

Miami Reef said:
Do I need a PH controller to run a CO2 scrubber? As you can see from my posts, I really don’t like complicated controllers and things like that. My experience level with techy reef things is below average.

no controller needed, but you must use the media with caution. and for a tank the size you have, it will be a huge contraption.

may i suggest using a RODI 1/4" hose to run your airline outside. also, be mindful of where you are drilling, make sure there no water pipes, studs, or electrical wiring. I've seen apps that can detect metal in the walls, using the phone's gps sensor. to detect a stud, I use a magnet and find the screws on the surface of the drywall. or a stud-finder if you have one.

just remember, that the air pump you have, has to be outside.. perhaps see if they have a pump that feeds intake using a 1/4" hose rather than being on the unit itself.

flagg37 · Oct 28, 2021

Before you go drilling through any walls I would do a test first to make sure you get the results you are looking for. Hook up the tube and run it outside through a door or window. I would try and find a window as far from the tank as possible so that you can rule out that it wasn’t just cracking the window that caused any change.

mdb_talon · Oct 28, 2021

neon_reefer said:
no controller needed, but you must use the media with caution. and for a tank the size you have, it will be a huge contraption.

may i suggest using a RODI 1/4" hose to run your airline outside. also, be mindful of where you are drilling, make sure there no water pipes, studs, or electrical wiring. I've seen apps that can detect metal in the walls, using the phone's gps sensor. to detect a stud, I use a magnet and find the screws on the surface of the drywall. or a stud-finder if you have one.

just remember, that the air pump you have, has to be outside.. perhaps see if they have a pump that feeds intake using a 1/4" hose rather than being on the unit itself.

Some good points but would clarify there is no need for an outside air pump. It is sucked in from the skimmer air intake. However that also means 1/4" is not nearly large enough for that size tank and hopefully an appropriately sized skimmer.

neonreef3d · Oct 28, 2021

mdb_talon said:
Some good points but would clarify there is no need for an outside air pump. It is sucked in from the skimmer air intake. However that also means 1/4" is not nearly large enough for that size tank and hopefully an appropriately sized skimmer.

the picture of the air pump threw me off. and yes, whatever size the skimmer intake hole is, just match the diameter, and run the hose outside for fresh air. there are certain things to watch out for, like pesticide spray, or bugs nesting in there. its probably a good idea to check it once every 10 days or so. but thats me being paranoid

Miami Reef · Oct 29, 2021

How long until the effects can be seen when you run the skimmer line outside?

flagg37 · Oct 29, 2021

Miami Reef said:
How long until the effects can be seen when you run the skimmer line outside?

It should be pretty immediate if it does anything at all. I’ve heard some people report that it’s a big difference and others say it barely did anything. It probably has to do with how much co2 is in the environment where the skimmer is located relative to how much is outside. If there’s not much difference between the two areas then the ph won’t be effected as much.

Garf · Oct 29, 2021

Miami Reef said:
How long until the effects can be seen when you run the skimmer line outside?

Youre really attacking this pH thing head on, from multiple angles lol. Have you done the aeration test? Just to see how much the pH rises, with fully aerated water?

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/rhf/index.htm

Miami Reef · Oct 29, 2021

I put the skimmer line outside this morning. That’s why I asked. This morning the PH was at 7.9. That was without any assistance of the outdoor skimmer.

It’s been circulating with the outside air for 30 minutes already. I will do a PH test soon.

mdb_talon · Oct 29, 2021

flagg37 said:
It should be pretty immediate if it does anything at all. I’ve heard some people report that it’s a big difference and others say it barely did anything. It probably has to do with how much co2 is in the environment where the skimmer is located relative to how much is outside. If there’s not much difference between the two areas then the ph won’t be effected as much.

Agree with this and add the other big factor is size of skimmer relative to tank. The more air it bringing in then the more potential to increase(again assuming issue is a result of high indoor co2)

mdb_talon · Oct 29, 2021

Miami Reef said:
I put the skimmer line outside this morning. That’s why I asked. This morning the PH was at 7.9. That was without any assistance of the outdoor skimmer.

It’s been circulating with the outside air for 30 minutes already. I will do a PH test soon.

Make sure to test through the whole day and leave it until tomorrow morning if you can and test at same time as todays 7.9 reading. Assuming your lights came on this morning ph is going to be rising anyway.