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- May 17, 2020
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Pretty sure I know the answer but just in case I missed something I thought I'd ask my stupid question of the day.
First, I suspect it's either crappy skimmer or the water surface outcompeting the scrubber (which could go back to crappy skimmer).
Equipment: IM NuvoSkim Midsize skimmer + NLF PhosBan 150 reactor with TLF media changed 3 days ago. Measured pH with Apex and Hanna. IM 50g Lagoon AIO tank about 14 months old.
Things I've tried: Shortened the connection between the skimmer and reactor (it's attached right where the silencer would go on the skimmer). Put a tablespoon of water in the bottom of the reactor.
pH rises if I open the window next to the tank but that's just not practical.
Media never seems to change color. Is it possible I got a bad batch?
I previously tried the small IceCap CO2 scrubber with no luck and switched to the reactor since it has a larger air intake (thought that might make a difference). Air is definitely going through, I can hear the pump sound change if I cover the intake and it's skimming.
Seriously, sometimes it seems like it's made things even marginally worse but it's hard to tell since I get fairly large pH swings.
Without any intervention (bathroom exhaust fan, open window) I get a range of about 7.6 to 7.8. With the window open I get closer to 7.8 to 8.0 so CO2 would seem to be the issue. So why is a scrubber not helping?
Anything I've missed in my setup?
First, I suspect it's either crappy skimmer or the water surface outcompeting the scrubber (which could go back to crappy skimmer).
Equipment: IM NuvoSkim Midsize skimmer + NLF PhosBan 150 reactor with TLF media changed 3 days ago. Measured pH with Apex and Hanna. IM 50g Lagoon AIO tank about 14 months old.
Things I've tried: Shortened the connection between the skimmer and reactor (it's attached right where the silencer would go on the skimmer). Put a tablespoon of water in the bottom of the reactor.
pH rises if I open the window next to the tank but that's just not practical.
Media never seems to change color. Is it possible I got a bad batch?
I previously tried the small IceCap CO2 scrubber with no luck and switched to the reactor since it has a larger air intake (thought that might make a difference). Air is definitely going through, I can hear the pump sound change if I cover the intake and it's skimming.
Seriously, sometimes it seems like it's made things even marginally worse but it's hard to tell since I get fairly large pH swings.
Without any intervention (bathroom exhaust fan, open window) I get a range of about 7.6 to 7.8. With the window open I get closer to 7.8 to 8.0 so CO2 would seem to be the issue. So why is a scrubber not helping?
Anything I've missed in my setup?