Best skimmer for tightly pulling in outside air?

johnt_tally

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My current skimmer, from SCA, is hooked up to the largest IceCap CO2 scrubber. I run an airline from the IceCap to the outside. I see virtually no change in my pH from when I have the outside air drawn in to when I disconnect that airline. So I'm wondering if the issue might be my skimmer and a new skimmer might work better for tightly drawing in outside air (through the scrubber). Does anyone have any experience and recommendations with skimmers that, when drawing air from outside, you see an appreciable increase in your pH value? I was looking at LIfeReef and the two my Maxspect. Thanks in advance!
Edit 1: When I open my windows, the pH appreciable increases. The pH ranges from 7.6 to 7.9 with the windows closed to 7.98 to 8.1 with the windows open. So one would conclude that my pH is lower when my house is closed up; hence, the thought that pulling in outside aire into the skimmer SHOULD increase my pH even with the windows closed.
 

boacvh

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I had similar issue. No change in PH whatsoever after installing scrubber. Then I copied a setup someone else had in here with some small water jar in the input line to the scrubber to keep the scrubber media moist and I have seen it now go to 8.3 from 8 or 8.1 previously.
I suggest trying that before getting a new skimmer? cheaper. Worst case scenario doesn't work and you can still upgrade skimmer
 
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johnt_tally

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I will try it, but I'm having trouble visualizing the solution. Can you give a little more detail? And thank you for sharing!
 

boacvh

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I'll try to take a pic of mine when I get home, probably easier. But it is very simple, I think the name they used on the threads here was a "humidity chamber". Pretty much same thing what this guy did in this video


As for me, I didn't use such a large container. I drilled 2 holes in the cap of an algaebarn copepod jar. Nothing special, any jar will do. I put some water in the jar and I have to refill it every other week as it evaporates. Very similar time to my co2 media change.
Setup will look like this:
Outside air > tubing > jar with water > co2 scrubber > intake skimmer
 

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