Winter and Low PH

[zemuss]

Only think about running a line to the Skimmer from the outside is the turbulence in the line. Illustrated its like using a garden hose to scuba. Sure its great about 5 feet from the surface, but at 65 feet you probably wasting energy trying to get air.

At a ten foot draw, tank to outside wall, for me this might be an issue. Thoughts?

 

[navila06]

no, straight line outside, been doing it for years this way, i don't even filter the air coming in.

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

 

[zemuss]

no, straight line outside, been doing it for years this way, i don't even filter the air coming in.

What is the length and width of this air line? Curious.

 

[Kimberlee]

On my old skimmer it was just the standard air tubing we use, plugged into a standard air pump. Ran it about 4' from tank to window

 

[navila06]

Only think about running a line to the Skimmer from the outside is the turbulence in the line. Illustrated its like using a garden hose to scuba. Sure its great about 5 feet from the surface, but at 65 feet you probably wasting energy trying to get air.

At a ten foot draw, tank to outside wall, for me this might be an issue. Thoughts?

never really thought of this, I actually have a ball valve hooked up to the airline so I can control the air intake, the skimmer does better a little less than wide open.

What is the length and width of this air line? Curious.

16 feet of 1/2 inch tubing hooked up to a swc 120. it is probably the best 10$ investment I made to may tank.

 

[zemuss]

I might have to try this then. Thanks for the input.

 

[shred5]

I have the same problem , but like some said already I run a piece 3/8 plastic hose outside and ran it to the air pick on the skimmer and boom I was back to normal.
Tip: put a piece of foam on the hose outside not to suck anything in.

That is the most common thing to do is run the intake of the skimmer outside..
Make sure you use a larger diameter hose so it does not restrict the air flow.... The longer the distance the harder the draw so make sure you go bigger for less drag.

 

[cjrudy]

Isn't the hose size limited to what will fit the skimmer air intake

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[Alabamareef]

I have the same problem , but like some said already I run a piece 3/8 plastic hose outside and ran it to the air pick on the skimmer and boom I was back to normal.
Tip: put a piece of foam on the hose outside not to suck anything in.

+1, best fix. Make sure it does have some type of filter to bugs and debris or sprays don't get in.

 

[Stinger]

I run a CO2 reactor year round, keeps PH above 8.09 , then I added Kalkwasser reactor with timer\pump set to add KW every 4 hours, Ph stays now at 8.15 to 8.20

 

[Stinger]

+1, best fix. Make sure it does have some type of filter to bugs and debris or sprays don't get in.

plus 2 , same here

 

[shred5]

Isn't the hose size limited to what will fit the skimmer air intake

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You take the hose that came with the skimmer and insert it into a bigger hose...

 

[neuwave]

You guys up north are luckily you can put the hose outside. Unfortunately can't here. A friend of mine used the line to the outside trick. But with all the pesticide spraying here in Florida (Mosquitos, fire ants, etc). The bug guy came sprayed the outside of the house and when he came home from work. Tank had sucked up some of the spray. Only a few softies survived and a clownfish.

 

[navila06]

I live in no. al and we have spraying like that done here.one reason i run mine threw the roof vents.

You guys up north are luckily you can put the hose outside. Unfortunately can't here. A friend of mine used the line to the outside trick. But with all the pesticide spraying here in Florida (Mosquitos, fire ants, etc). The bug guy came sprayed the outside of the house and when he came home from work. Tank had sucked up some of the spray. Only a few softies survived and a clownfish.

 

[neuwave]

I live in no. al and we have spraying like that done here.one reason i run mine threw the roof vents.

That's still far north compared to down here, your on the border of Tennessee. During the winter the temperature doesn't drop all that much allowing for the Mosquitos to live longer and some times year round. A lot of water, basically lots of swamp and lakes for them to breed. Hence the extra chemical sprays. Some years are worse than others. The guy I knew rented so drilling a hole anywhere on the house was not allowed by the landlord. My place is a concrete block building and can't drill thru any wall even if I wanted to. I also like the fact I don't have to run a 20 foot tube through my home.

But for a full bucket of sodalime costing me about $6-$8 a month between cartridge changes, I'm happy with that. I also don't need super high alk to achieve higher PH. To each his own though.

 

[cjrudy]

Just hooked yup the DIY CO2 scubber yesterday morning and the soda lime is almost completely exhausted in 24 hours, I also did not notice any measurable increase in PH.

 

[neuwave]

Just hooked yup the DIY CO2 scubber yesterday morning and the soda lime is almost completely exhausted in 24 hours, I also did not notice any measurable increase in PH.

Pics of scrubber set up and skimmer and tank size? And brand of soda lime. I may be able to help fix it.

 

[cjrudy]

90 gallon with a 40 gallon sump

Jor-Vet soda lime

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[cjrudy]

I went ahead an ran an airline outside. PH jumped .2

My neighbor gave me an odd look as he watched me drill a hole into the side of my house

 

[navila06]

that's funny.
.2 is a pretty good boost.
what width line and length you use?

I went ahead an ran an airline outside. PH jumped .2

My neighbor gave me an odd look as he watched me drill a hole into the side of my house