Winter and Low PH

neuwave · Oct 14, 2013

I filled the ro inserts with soda lime from airgas. Remove the cloth membrane at the bottom on the refill canisters to allow for more air flow. Bought screw on tube connecters from ro canisters to a T junction. I used 3/8th inch clear tubing. Fairly simple setup but works better than I thought.

5 gallon bucket of soda lime from Airgas. One bucket usually lasts me about a year. It turns purple when exhuasted so you need clear canisters.
Empty Canister re cartridge - (Reef Bulk supply)
Tubing and connectors approx (Lowes)

From the T junction straight down to the intake of my skimmer.

Hope this helps

Kimberlee · Oct 15, 2013

es that helps a lot, I am excited as I have been in the hobby long enough all the stuff is already sitting around here....Yay this is going to be easy and cheap for me win win. I will post my build here for it and keep track of how it does for me. Thank you

beaslbob · Oct 15, 2013

Kimberlee said:
Cool I just have to order the co2 absorbent.

Yes huge sump, no fuge really. I am thinking of running the skimmer line to the outside for the winter.

IMHO the macro algaes of a fuge will be a better and less expensive co2 agsorbent.

my .02

Kimberlee · Oct 15, 2013

I can see that for sure, but I have a zoa garden w/ LED down in my sump....would I get the same effect by running that light oppisite from the main tank? I really don't want to give up that section for algae.

beaslbob · Oct 15, 2013

Kimberlee said:
I can see that for sure, but I have a zoa garden w/ LED down in my sump....would I get the same effect by running that light oppisite from the main tank? I really don't want to give up that section for algae.

Not really especially if you measure pH just before lights out. the reverse main tank is to maintain a more constant pH.

I would find some way to add macros even if you have to build a partition or box to seperate the display from the macros.

my .02

neuwave · Oct 15, 2013

beaslbob said:
IMHO the macro algaes of a fuge will be a better and less expensive co2 agsorbent.

my .02

This is definitely a good option. Having reverse light cycles. I have a fuge as well but it wasn't enough. Unfortunately most of the year people in Florida have their home closed shut because of high humidity and heat. So the amount of CO2 build up becomes extensive. The CO2 scrubber was my only relief. It only costs me about $6 a month from a 5 gallon bucket of soda lime to keep a stable ph morning, noon and night. So I can't complain about the CO2 scrubber.

Kimberlee · Oct 15, 2013

I thionk I'm going to avoid messing w/ my sump more than I have too. The CO2 scrubber, sounds like less work and mess than partioning out the sump, possibly buying a pump...I have had tanks w/ fuges and reverse cycles, and had the same swing and winter low I have now. Plus like I said all I need to buy is the bucket of soda lime.

mcarroll · Oct 15, 2013

You may have already considered this, but getting that skimmer's air line to the outside air if at all possible would be the best/cheapest solution of all.

I like the scrubber though! Great solution

-Matt

navila06 · Oct 16, 2013

that is what i suggested in comment 20, very effective and cheap if of course it is possible.

mcarroll said:
You may have already considered this, but getting that skimmer's air line to the outside air if at all possible would be the best/cheapest solution of all.

I like the scrubber though! Great solution

-Matt

mcarroll · Oct 17, 2013

Sorry! Somehow I completely missed the whole first page of posts. Doh! I swear I meant well!

I second navila06's suggestion!

-Matt

Kimberlee · Oct 17, 2013

Can I hear some #s here??

So I tested the PH of my RO water and it is 8.3......any know there's I know out of the tap it is 7.4. Just curios how this plays into the PH of our DTs.

mcarroll · Oct 17, 2013

Assuming it was clean RODI in the first place, it can carry dissolved CO2, but thats about it AFAIK. Don't think thats the story in your case tho.

-Matt

Kimberlee · Oct 17, 2013

Filters are reasonably new, and thats out of the bucket which does have a pump for airation.

cjrudy · Oct 23, 2013

Finally a recent thread about this issue, I run into this very problem every winter. To make matters worse I have a venteless fireplace which my wife and daughter love to keep on for hours at a time while I freak out and watch my PH plummet.

Over the course of last winter I moved my sump into the basement which helped slightly, I also tried the DIY CO2 scrubber using sodalime.
I used a 16 oz water bottle, drilled a bazillion small holes in it then ran airline from the cap to my skimmer. It definitely worked however the soda lime exhausted very quickly, within a day or two.

This year I may try running the airline directly outside.

Would definitely love to hear more ideas and opinions on this subject.

navila06 · Oct 23, 2013

running the airline outside has work well for me.

cjrudy said:
Finally a recent thread about this issue, I run into this very problem every winter. To make matters worse I have a venteless fireplace which my wife and daughter love to keep on for hours at a time while I freak out and watch my PH plummet.

Over the course of last winter I moved my sump into the basement which helped slightly, I also tried the DIY CO2 scrubber using sodalime.
I used a 16 oz water bottle, drilled a bazillion small holes in it then ran airline from the cap to my skimmer. It definitely worked however the soda lime exhausted very quickly, within a day or two.

This year I may try running the airline directly outside.

Would definitely love to hear more ideas and opinions on this subject.

cjrudy · Oct 23, 2013

navila06 said:
running the airline outside has work well for me.

Do you put any type of filter or covering, screening etc over the airline opening ?

zemuss · Oct 23, 2013

Nevermind I did some quick research and there are horror stories of tanks crashing because of outside air contaminants. Sticking with a CO2 Scrubber and will purchase some bulk material soon.

What happens if the Tank is 15 or 20 feet from an outside wall. WOuldn't running hose that far cause issues with air intake? If not i am going to run a line from my closet to the tank and see if that helps. I too live in florida and am tired of having to purchase CDX for the CO2 scrubber.

"Z"

Kimberlee · Oct 23, 2013

I was using an air pump when I ran my old skimmer air line to the window. I think the tanks get out side air no matter what and you can't get away from contaminants, so I am guessing those horror stories you heard were isolated events w/ other factors coming into play and not being reported in the story. Not to say that they wern't correct, they are, just how correct are they....are they talking living in the country or LA? Because the same research methods would give different results for different places.

zemuss · Oct 23, 2013

True.. However I would have to run about a 10 foot hose to the skimmer. I think I will stick with the CO2 media and just purchase the BRS stuff (9 pounds) or AIrGas 5 gallon bucket to cut cost. CDX media from TLF isn't the best around but is working.