Does airline to skimmer really raise PH

Susan Edwards · Jan 29, 2022

So I asked my hubby to get me some tubing so I can run an air line from skimmer to my office window, the room where the tank is. He (an engineer) scoffed and said a tube that size wouldn't make any difference (1/2 inch I think), running it approx 16 feet. He suggested running a fan into the sump area but that just uses the same air. I do keep that window open 2-6 inches unless I'm not home. 2-3 inches at night. As that is allowing outside air into the room, is that enough, if I leave the cabinet doors open at night? Shut office door and open more? Room is 10x10. I did just start a fuge with chaeto to help. Not ready to look into co2 scrubbers or whatever yet.

PH is usually just under 8
Tank is approx 220 total water volume

monkeyCmonkeyDo · Jan 29, 2022

Yes by a small amount.
D

plankton · Jan 29, 2022

Susan Edwards said:
So I asked my hubby to get me some tubing so I can run an air line from skimmer to my office window, the room where the tank is. He (an engineer) scoffed and said a tube that size wouldn't make any difference (1/2 inch I think), running it approx 16 feet. He suggested running a fan into the sump area but that just uses the same air. I do keep that window open 2-6 inches unless I'm not home. 2-3 inches at night. As that is allowing outside air into the room, is that enough, if I leave the cabinet doors open at night? Shut office door and open more? Room is 10x10. I did just start a fuge with chaeto to help. Not ready to look into co2 scrubbers or whatever yet.

PH is usually just under 8
Tank is approx 220 total water volume

If you like buying new gadgets get a a CO2 monitor on Amazon and see what your CO2 levels are in your room!

DeniableArc · Jan 29, 2022

Susan Edwards said:
So I asked my hubby to get me some tubing so I can run an air line from skimmer to my office window, the room where the tank is. He (an engineer) scoffed and said a tube that size wouldn't make any difference (1/2 inch I think), running it approx 16 feet. He suggested running a fan into the sump area but that just uses the same air. I do keep that window open 2-6 inches unless I'm not home. 2-3 inches at night. As that is allowing outside air into the room, is that enough, if I leave the cabinet doors open at night? Shut office door and open more? Room is 10x10. I did just start a fuge with chaeto to help. Not ready to look into co2 scrubbers or whatever yet.

PH is usually just under 8
Tank is approx 220 total water volume

Hi, i run a tube from directly from my skimmer Venturi to outside for about a year now. Newish house with windows closed and aircon on all the time. Before installing my ph was 7.8-8.0 now it’s locked in at 8.2.8.3 I tried co2 scrubbers but they exhaust fairly quick and left me with bigger swings when changing media.

gbroadbridge · Jan 29, 2022

Susan Edwards said:
So I asked my hubby to get me some tubing so I can run an air line from skimmer to my office window, the room where the tank is. He (an engineer) scoffed and said a tube that size wouldn't make any difference (1/2 inch I think), running it approx 16 feet. He suggested running a fan into the sump area but that just uses the same air. I do keep that window open 2-6 inches unless I'm not home. 2-3 inches at night. As that is allowing outside air into the room, is that enough, if I leave the cabinet doors open at night? Shut office door and open more? Room is 10x10. I did just start a fuge with chaeto to help. Not ready to look into co2 scrubbers or whatever yet.

PH is usually just under 8
Tank is approx 220 total water volume

pH is related to the amount of CO2 dissolved in the tank water.

If the air intake for your skimmer is located in an area with high CO2 it will create carbonic acid in the tank, lowering the pH.

Using air with less CO2 will cause the pH to rise.

Ultimately the difference you will see depends on how much CO2 is in your room.

You can take a jar of tank water outside and bubble air through it with an airstone. If the pH rises, running the skimmer intake outside will provide the same benefit.

Regards
Graham