useing O2 instead of ozone??

tgp4274 · Dec 7, 2014

so was thinking about this and am fighting a low ph reading of 7.6-7.8.... tanks doesn't get above 8 ever.....

so I was thing of getting an o2 bottle and hooking it to my skimmer with a T fitting and a bubbler so I could do like a bubble every second or two but the skimmer would still breathe
any thoughts on this????
I have thought about a co2 scrubber but buying the media would have to be online... HD has a 5lb o2 bottle for $15-20. kinda think at a bubble every 2-3 sec the bottle should last about a month or so.....
thanks for the input!!

tgp4274 · Dec 7, 2014

setup

what was thinking.......

Randy Holmes-Farley · Dec 7, 2014

Adding O2 doesn't impact pH. It is CO2 being elevated that lowers pH, and adding O2 won't change the CO2 unless you drive so much O2 through the system that it sweeps away CO2 and other gases.

tgp4274 · Dec 7, 2014

ok but if running a pipe outside to the skimmer why would that work n not injecting to o2? and I would think that the o2 would be better that ozone?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Dec 7, 2014

Indoor air gets elevated in CO2, and that can drive low pH.

Bringing in normal CO2 air from outside can lower the CO2 level in the tank without driving O2 any higher than normal.

Adding O2 won't reduce the CO2 unless you add so much that O2 gets very high (too high).

O2 would be a lot better than ozone in this context, but neither raises pH.

robby2782 · Dec 7, 2014

run a co2 scrubber. that will get your ph up to 8+ depending on the efficiency of your skimmer.

just make sure you purchase the media from a vet supply online opposed to the two little fish brand as it's much cheaper. it works extremely well, but you will be changing out the media at least once a week.