Automating co2 scrubber

sergifed91 · Jun 24, 2019

I am having some ph stability issues. got it remedied for the most part by opening up the windows. but looking to buy a CO2 scrubber from BRS and wanting to automate the scrubber to run when the ph drops to 8.2 and shuts off when it hits 8.3. has anyone done this before and if so is there a write up or article on how to do this? I want it to work with my apex also.

BestMomEver · Jun 24, 2019

Only way I know how to turn it off and on is by turning your skimmer off and on. The CO2 scrubber feeds directly into the air intake valve of the skimmer. If you cut off the air, your skimmer will spew water all over the place!

smartwater101 · Jun 24, 2019

Yup. Some use a solenoid. I use motorized ball valve. Use a Y connection (or similar) to pull air from two places. One pulling from scrubber and one pulling from just regular air.

Use the valve on either intake. I use mine on the "regular" air and its always closed, meaning the scrubber is being used the vast majority of the time. The valve will only open if the pH gets too high, to allow regular air to mix in and keep the pH stable.

When i orginally set it up I used two valves. One for each intake, but realized pretty quickly it was redundant.

smartwater101 · Jun 24, 2019

Valve:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06WWPZWGZ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Apex dc24 barewire cord:

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/dc24-to-bare-wire-accessory-cable-neptune-systems.html

Keesers · Jun 24, 2019

I believe BRS did a video on this. By using a a Y fitting and control valve to control by ph so you just pull air out of room when it gets to a certain set point and then though media when you need it to pull though media to bring ph back up. Hopes this helps I would assume you need apex or other controller to make this work.

sergifed91 · Jun 25, 2019

smartwater101 said:
Valve:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06WWPZWGZ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Apex dc24 barewire cord:

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/dc24-to-bare-wire-accessory-cable-neptune-systems.html

the only problem with the dc-24 to bare wire accessory is that I have the e8 and not the eb832 energy bar 832

smartwater101 · Jun 25, 2019

new setup said:
the only problem with the dc-24 to bare wire accessory is that I have the e8 and not the eb832 energy bar 832

There are wired ones for a typical outlet, so you could always go that route. It works the same, i just wanted to save an outlet so thats why i went with the dc24 connection

mitch91175 · Jun 28, 2019

Here is what I'd personally consider the ultimate CO2 scrubber thread on R2R: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/co2-scrubber-testing.482361/

Likely every question you might have is in it.

sergifed91 · Jul 24, 2019

smartwater101 said:
Valve:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06WWPZWGZ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Apex dc24 barewire cord:

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/dc24-to-bare-wire-accessory-cable-neptune-systems.html

here is what im thinking.

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richiero · Jun 24, 2020

smartwater101 said:
Yup. Some use a solenoid. I use motorized ball valve. Use a Y connection (or similar) to pull air from two places. One pulling from scrubber and one pulling from just regular air.

Use the valve on either intake. I use mine on the "regular" air and its always closed, meaning the scrubber is being used the vast majority of the time. The valve will only open if the pH gets too high, to allow regular air to mix in and keep the pH stable.

When i orginally set it up I used two valves. One for each intake, but realized pretty quickly it was redundant.

Hello smart water 101 do you have pictures of your current set up or the diagram you used when you were building it ?

smartwater101 · Jun 26, 2020

richiero said:
Hello smart water 101 do you have pictures of your current set up or the diagram you used when you were building it ?

THE BEST WAY to implement a CO2 scrubber!

When I ran this setup, I would get excess moisture at the bottom of the media canister. It wasn't foam from the skimmer, just a collection of moisture from high humidity. That moisture would bubble somewhat if it was high enough to touch the media, but it was minimal... If your reactor is...

www.reef2reef.com

This how I had it set up at the time. I don't like apex anymore, plus I tore down my tank but It worked well for my use. I'd say the extra ball valve was unnecessary, but either way it worked well.

richiero · Jun 28, 2020

smartwater101 said:
THE BEST WAY to implement a CO2 scrubber!

When I ran this setup, I would get excess moisture at the bottom of the media canister. It wasn't foam from the skimmer, just a collection of moisture from high humidity. That moisture would bubble somewhat if it was high enough to touch the media, but it was minimal... If your reactor is...

www.reef2reef.com

This how I had it set up at the time. I don't like apex anymore, plus I tore down my tank but It worked well for my use. I'd say the extra ball valve was unnecessary, but either way it worked well.

Thank you

richiero · Jun 28, 2020

How long did the media last you ?

smartwater101 · Jun 28, 2020

richiero said:
How long did the media last you ?

Not sure honestly. I had originally went with the BRS stuff but it never changed color. I did some reading an apparently other people have had the same issue. I'll prob try another brand of media when I get my next tank up and running.

sergifed91 · Jun 28, 2020

smartwater101 said:
Not sure honestly. I had originally went with the BRS stuff but it never changed color. I did some reading an apparently other people have had the same issue. I'll prob try another brand of media when I get my next tank up and running.

I switched from the brs brand to 2 little fishes nd color changes.

richiero · Jul 1, 2020

Hello I’m still researching this scrubber thing , on average how long does the media last on a recirculating setup controlled by valves and an apex ? Thank you

Brian L'Ecuyer · Sep 25, 2020

Looking at this old thread and think the better solution is a 3 way valve like this....

Two inputs one fresh air one scrubbed and one output plus it can be an ac outlet on/off. I have it and am re doing my back system and will add an outdoor fresh air and this valve and see.

JohnnyBeagle · Sep 25, 2020

I use an icecap scrubber and set those controls with Apex

Brian L'Ecuyer · Sep 25, 2020

YMMV but I have a closed house in the summer in Cali due to heat so lots of co2. I have a small tank 70G and large skimmer 150ss. I have the dual jumbo BRS scrubber and get 3to4 months per media change. it is massive but I buy big for less frequent maintenance. Also I bought a pharma color changing co2 media for much less than brs just had to buy a huge container... maybe 18 months to two years worth... Finding that was actually what made me do this...