Question for a Plumber

[Krad]

Hey R2R,

My new tank is in my basement that’s pretty airtight and co2 is on the higher side. I have a radon system going the previous owners installed and I’m getting a INKBIRD co2 to see exactly what my ppm down here is.

I had a slop sink put in here and since there was no existing plumbing I opted for a pump for the drain. Plumber recommend to add an outside air draw to prevent possible sewage smells.

My question is can I tap into that outside air pvc intake for my skimmer? I can’t think of a reason why not but wanted to get some other opinions.

Pic below, pipe in red goes to the outside.

 

[Krad]

Actually thinking out load and writing it out I think this is a exhaust, so probably best to leave it alone and just drill a separate line for the skimmer.

 

[BeanAnimal]

Odd choice of vent piping and no way that it is code, but I suppose it will work. No you certainly don't want to tie into that, it is there to allow air to enter or leave the plumbing system. It is on the sewer side of the trap, and therefore exposed to sewer gas.

 

[Krad]

Odd choice of vent piping and no way that it is code, but I suppose it will work. No you certainly don't want to tie into that, it is there to allow air to enter or leave the plumbing system. It is on the sewer side of the trap, and therefore exposed to sewer gas.

Maybe methane will be the new fad lol.

I realized an intake didn’t make sense right after I posted lol, had to be a vent. I have a fan to pull in air for the furnace, might have been a brain fart and thinking about that.

If pH is an issue I’ll most likely just drill a small hole to the outside before getting a co2 scrubber. I’ll test it over the next few months and go from there, no plans for corals for a little bit

 

[PharmrJohn]

Maybe methane will be the new fad lol.

I realized an intake didn’t make sense right after I posted lol, had to be a vent. I have a fan to pull in air for the furnace, might have been a brain fart and thinking about that.

If pH is an issue I’ll most likely just drill a small hole to the outside before getting a co2 scrubber. I’ll test it over the next few months and go from there, no plans for corals for a little bit

I think that an outside air line is going to provide the best outcome you could get. If you do that there's no point in even trying a CO2 Scrubber, regardless of the result.

 

[Krad]

Quick update.
Got the CO2 monitor in the basement looks like it’s between 700-990ppm. This is with the furnace off but I’m not expecting it to change the numbers too much.

pH measuring at 7.9 which is what I expected, Alk at 7.5.

Id like to get my pH to 8.1 and alk at 8.5 and keep it there stable before adding coral.

Will run a line outdoors this weekend. I can run the line straight to the pump right? No need for a silencer?

 

[Bruttall]

My system is in my basement as well and with several adults and a few animals I started having PH issues myself. Old House, Ancient leaky tiny basement windows so I knocked the glass out of the one in my Fish Room. Luckily it is under the Burning Bush in my front yard. Used PL40 adhesive to glue a piece of wood onto that window frame, will treat with Sealer, and used PVC since I have a bunch still laying around to make Air Intake. My DIY Wood Control Panel sits in front of that window so I plumbed the PVC in and routed it to my skimmer air intake.

That did not make nearly as much difference in my PH as I had hoped it would I have to admit.
Also found the ORP is a little low so I added a second PVC line to be an exhaust for the skimmer system as soon as the Ozone Generator gets here that I ordered. I use a Venturi style skimmer so the air porting for it is real simple. In thru the Venturi's and out thru the skim locker and the exhaust pvc.

This is the next phase to make look presentable, pls excuse the wire/tubing mess, it's a work in progress;


I did get my Ph above 8.0 but I had to dose Kalkwasser to get there, 18th month old system tho.

 

[Krad]

Looks great! Unfortunately no windows near the tank and when i finished the basement I got new ones that are sealed anyways.

I don't plan on doing anything after the line run... my goal with this tank is to get it stable and not chase numbers. Did that with my first tank and eventually led to big trouble.

Once I establish a baseline ph and alk I'll start to maintain it with dosing pumps and recheck as the tank matures.

Tank's only been running for a week now, I want to add a few LPS at the end of Oct, candy cane most likely.

 

[Krad]

Figured I’d do a update for anyone considering running a outdoor line!

pH went from 7.9 to 8.1 overnight so I’m pretty happy with that result.