CO2 Scrubber

[Cal_stir]

Hi all
I just recently installed a CO2 scrubber on my protien skimmer and wanted to share the results.
In the past my PH swung from 7.8 in the morning and 8.0 at night.
I started dosing kalk to raise my PH, I was dosig it hourly, matching my evaporation and got it up to 7.9 in the am and 8.1 in the pm.
I increased the dose to raise it more and got it to 8.0 in the am and 8.2 in the pm.
Then when doing my routine water tests I found my calcium thru the roof,(670ppm) so I stopped dosing kalk and worked to get my ca back to normal.
I bought an RO canister with 1/2" ports ($15) and a jug of CO2 absorbant ($50,enough to fill 7 cartridges that should last @ 2 to 3 months) from BRS, I filled a spare cartridge I had and hooked it up, let it run for a few days and checked the results.
Now my PH swings from 8.05 in the am to 8.25 in the pm.
I am quite pleased with the results as a lot of stuff in this hobby doesn't work like it is hypped up to.
Note: My sump is in the basement and I live with a smoker who smokes in the house.

 

[fishit]

just curious but what does smoking have to do with anything ?

 

[Cal_stir]

CO2 is a by-product of smoking

 

[pulpfiction1]

is that the product that changes colour when exhausted?

 

[Cal_stir]

yes, it turns purple

 

[fishit]

o ok so co2 from smoke will actually get in your tank?

 

[Cal_stir]

yes, co2 from the air that is being drawn in your skimmer, smokers create more co2 than normal, co2 is heavy and will collect in the lowest areas, house with lots of people will have more co2, poorly ventilated house will have more co2,co2 is in the atmosphere, co2 lowers ph.
co2 is produced in the aquarium by respiration of the animals among other things, no sense adding more with your skimmer.

also my skimmer produces a much denser foam then before the scrubber