Nano CO2 Scrubber

[trevorhiller]

My new tanks pH seems stable at 7.8 every time I check it. Occasionally I’ll get a 8.0. Since I added a protein skimmer, I now I have the option of a CO2 scrubber to see if I can bump it up a little bit.

I used some air tubing and a recycled medical suction canister. I added a T with a needle valve to allow for introduction of some room air after the scrubber and before the skimmer if needed in case the pH goes too high.

I used a small filtering funnel to keep the media elevated out of the water in the bottom of the suction canister.

We’ll see if it has any effect on the tanks pH once the silicone around the tubing is dry. It doesn’t hold a whole lot of media, but I have a larger suction canister to make one that will hold about 2 Liters of media too in case it chews through the media too quickly. Plus it’s only a 15 gallon tank and an Eshopps nano skimmer, so I can’t imagine it uses a ton of air volume.

 

[BanjoBandito]

I'm interested to see where this goes since I run a nano. I'm curious as to why not trying Kalk in your ATO?

 

[trevorhiller]

I debated about doing Kalk, but my long term plan is to dose All for Reef with a dosing pump. Didn’t really want to do Kalk+ARF. Plus I don’t really want to run Kalk through the ATO pump as everyone says it’s hard on pumps.

I guess multiple ways to skin a cat and this one was free vs buying another dosing pump to dose Kalk.

 

[John Neuzil]

I wouldn't worry about the ph going too high. It won't have that large of an impact.

 

[trevorhiller]

So I only have the API pH test kit and a cheap pH (dunk style) meter that came with my Amazon TDS meter. I’m not sure how reliable either are, but I connected the nano skimmer to home brew CO2 scrubber just a few hours ago and the pH is definitely higher than it was when I tested this morning. I haven’t seen the solution this dark EVER and usually when I test late at night the pH is lower ( </= 7.8).

I have a very well insulated house, so I guess what they say is true! I’m curious to see how long the media lasts and how much it costs to maintain.

 

[SantaMonica]

Using media in a canister will definitely do the job; it's just a question of space, hassle etc.