skimmer with outside air hose ?Hi

[kevensquint]

Hi, so now to boost my pH I would either get the CO2 scrubber pellets to remove CO2 at my skimmer air inlet. Or cheaper, get a hose leading to outside air. One thing tho, if I attached a 20' air hose to my skimmer wouldn't there be a restriction produced from all that tubing? Causing skimmer performance issues?

 

[mcarroll]

Yes. You'll have to get a little creative in the delivery since ideally you don't want to alter the air pressure at the skimmer pump one way or the other. An air pump inside a filter box located in the garage pumping air close to the skimmer's inlet would be something like the right idea.

 

[kevensquint]

How about a empty gallon jug next to the skimmer with one hose from the jug to the skimmer and the other feeding it with air from out my window? The jug would serve as a buffer chamber so the skimmer is pulling in air from a larger space. Would that work?

 

[tat2z_21]

A cheaper version would to just open a window for about 10 minutes and let the oxygen levels go back up.

 

[tat2z_21]

The problem with running your line outside could be possibility of your neighbors spraying pesticides, or a bug can climb into it.

 

[kevensquint]

The window idea is not enough. Basement apartment with no control on heat. If its off, its off. So at -40 outside I can't just air out the apt.

 

[mcarroll]

How about a empty gallon jug next to the skimmer with one hose from the jug to the skimmer and the other feeding it with air from out my window? The jug would serve as a buffer chamber so the skimmer is pulling in air from a larger space. Would that work?

Definitely worth a try! I would want some kind of filter box around the air pump too...wouldn't have to be too fancy

 

[kacrocorals581]

if you use a much bigger hose leading outside it work and fix it to the skimmer and I'd get screen to put over it to keep anything going into the skimmer that's unwanted but if its a rented property make sure there is nobody spaying pesticides around the property

 

[MounteeFrag]

What is your PH currently?

 

[kevensquint]

7.7-8.0 unless all windows are wide open. I can get 8.3. I could live with that. But, I'm changing from 2-part to my reactor. So it will be even worse. I'm gonna do some experiments then. Thanks.

 

[MounteeFrag]

I wouldn't chase it

 

[Alabamareef]

CO2 scrubber is a GREAT way to go. I too live in an apartment and it's hard to keep a window open. I bought a CO2 scrubber from BRS, had to modify the tubing because the one that comes with the kit is to small, also changed out the elbow so everything is 3/8". I have a flow meter hooked up and it does restrict the flow but I still get the same amount of bubbles, size and amount. It may be that your putting in better quality air, just a guess. I've got a 180 gallon an a gallon of the color changing media last about 3-4 months. Depending on if I'm able to open the doors and windows. My pH use to be 7.9'ish dipping down at night to the lower limits of healthy but now I'm 8-8.4 depending on how the media is holding out. Will make your skimmer run quite also....
And the elbow that's open to air I just took off for better air flow...

 

[kevensquint]

If it makes the skimmer quieter. Can't we just straight pipe the skimmer into the scrubber reactor? That might reduce restrictions.

 

[hart24601]

if you use a much bigger hose leading outside it work and fix it to the skimmer and I'd get screen to put over it to keep anything going into the skimmer that's unwanted but if its a rented property make sure there is nobody spaying pesticides around the property

+1, use a bigger tube than your skimmer line. Depending on the size of the skimmer a 1/2" or 3/4" vinyl hose from home depot can flow a great deal of air. I use 3 containers with mine. Hard pvc goes from window into a 5g bucket, from there tubing goes into smaller containers with carbon and soda lime. I have added more, but my build thread has a photo in there somewhere.

 

[Alabamareef]

If it makes the skimmer quieter. Can't we just straight pipe the skimmer into the scrubber reactor? That might reduce restrictions.

Remember a C02 scrubber only scrubbs the air that your skimmer is pulling in through the vinture. No water passes through the scrubber. So essitiunally it's stright piped into the scrubber....

 

[kevensquint]

I mean the skimmer air intake, minus the silencer device. To reduce restrictions. The CO2 media should muffle the hissing IMO.

 

[jolt]

I've done both CO2 scrubber and outside line. After trying both I prefer the outside line. I use a larger hose than my skimmer air inlet tube, and I hooked it up to a BRS cartridge that I fill with carbon so the air is filtered through the carbon. I change carbon once a month versus changing CO2 scrubber media once a week. And the carbon is much cheaper too. Raised my Ph by at least 0.15. Skimmer produces nice skimmate too.

 

[kevensquint]

I've done both CO2 scrubber and outside line. After trying both I prefer the outside line. I use a larger hose than my skimmer air inlet tube, and I hooked it up to a BRS cartridge that I fill with carbon so the air is filtered through the carbon. I change carbon once a month versus changing CO2 scrubber media once a week. And the carbon is much cheaper too. Raised my Ph by at least 0.15. Skimmer produces nice skimmate too.

How long was that hose ?

 

[jolt]

How long was that hose ?

It's about 7 feet

 

[ca1ore]

Must say that running a hose outside, or even using a CO2 scrubber, made very little difference to my tank's pH. I'd argue that if either of these approaches do make a material difference, gas exchange in your tank maybe poor.