Vertex Alpha skimmer( or similar) & CO2 scrubber

[reefknight]

Having some issues with algae growth(Gelidium) and have spoke with several company rep's. Most have stressed that my pH is low (7.8, house is newer and tightly sealed) and have recommended a CO2 scrubber.

I was curious if there are any other Alpha owners using a CO2 scrubber out there. Which unit and how do you have it connected? Just looking for some examples really. Even if yours isn't a Vertex, join in.

I was also told to run a skimmer airline outside as another option; the wife is not happy about having a hole drilled in her dining room wall permanently. That idea didn't even get off the ground, let alone fly!

[sirreal63]

There are a lot of people happy with the CO2 scrubber, if you check the chemistry forum you will find a lot of info about using it correctly. The PH isn't at a dangerous level, and I highly doubt it is causing the algae issues and I have had my tank at that level as a low end before for years and it has never been an issue. For most algae it is available nutrients that fuel it's growth.

What are your current nutrient control techniques?

By the way, the Neo 185 is just about the perfect tank IMO, such a great size for a reef. Would enjoy seeing pics of it set up.

[jrp1588]

Drill a hole while she isn't home. If the tank is against the wall she'll never notice. haha. You will have to disguise it from the outside somehow though.

[cal_stir]

I have a vertex alpha 200 cone with a BRS cartridge running co2 absorbant.
the canister has 1/2" ports but I had to ream out the hose fitting to get enough flow, I'm currently using an old DI cartridge for the media but I had to strip all the filters out of it to get the flow, I have ordered a biopellet cartridge that has no filters in it, just screens, I hope it works better.
I get just enough flow from the scrubber but wouldn't want any less.
I does work though, raised my PH 2 full points

[TimeConsumer]

7.8 pH is fine if your alk is 9dkh or above. But a scrubber isn't a bad idea (I know I'm thinking about making one). I would recommend getting your soda lime from a medical supply company, you can get 5 gallons for about $75.

[reefknight]

Thank you for the suggestions; unfortunately drilling a hole is out of the question. (Wife is kinda of deadly with a .38sp snubbie!

@sirreal63 - In the beginning I was using the ZEO method, but when my corals started lightning to the point of colorless, I stopped dosing. I believe now the lightning of colors was due to my ATI PM bleaching them. Also around this same time my friend and I swapped from Reef Crystals to Salinity. We have both noticed detrimental effects. In the process of changing to a different salt now. I run Hydro carbon, changed bi-weekly as well. Dosing pump adds Ca/Alk/Mg daily to maintain levels.

Parameters are always within acceptable ranges; all Elos except PO4 (Hanna)
SPG% - 1.025
pH - 7.8
Alk - 10.5-11dKH
Ca - 425-450
Mg - 1350-1400
NO3 - 0
PO4 - 0.00 - 0.04

At one point the PO4 did reach 0.08. Water change, carbon change and back to lower levels it went.

I agree that I don't think the pH level is the starting and stopping point of the trouble with the algae growth. As my previous set up had terrific growth at the same pH level. This was a suggestion from a Seachem rep though, so trying to cover some bases.

Thanks for the suggestions, keep them coming as I'm still

[reefknight]

Originally Posted by cal_stir

I have a vertex alpha 200 cone with a BRS cartridge running co2 absorbant.
the canister has 1/2" ports but I had to ream out the hose fitting to get enough flow, I'm currently using an old DI cartridge for the media but I had to strip all the filters out of it to get the flow, I have ordered a biopellet cartridge that has no filters in it, just screens, I hope it works better.
I get just enough flow from the scrubber but wouldn't want any less.
I does work though, raised my PH 2 full points

Are you using the stock silicon tubing from the skimmer to feed the CO2 scrubber? How fast do you deplete the soda lime? I've seen most go through it in about two weeks. If you could share any photos it would be greatly appreciated. Hadn't thought about utilizing a bio pellet filter, not a bad idea at all.

Thanks

[sirreal63]

I would not be surprised by a Rep trying to point you in a direction other than theirs. :-) ULNS is walking a thin line, as you know and recovering from issues with it is a journey. Your water parameters aren't that bad but it may just have to run it's course. I bleached my sps from ULNS once and it took months to get them back, and I had some algae too during the recovery, but I welcomed it because I knew the sps would have plenty of nutrients to help their recovery. The algae was attacked later by GFO and a very small amount of NP Bio-pellets.

The CO2 scrubber is not a bad idea but I do not think it will help with an algae issue. How bad is the algae?

[reefknight]

The algae is pretty much covering all of my rock and has started to branch out onto the sand bed. It's a real PITA! I like the ULNS idea, but maybe shouldn't have started it from the beginning. I almost think that its better to wait and start it until you have a slight amount of each before setting it up a ULNS. If this was a hair algae or one of the other easier pest algaes, I could live with it. This stuff just takes over and vines like Bermuda grass.

I have added two diadema urchins as well as two sea hares to help combat this. All of my parameters are on track and maintaining. We'll see what happens once they have time to attack it. The scrubber is the next item to look into and set up.

[sirreal63]

If it one of the running kind, manual removal is the only way. I foolishly set up a tank with one variety that I do not remember and it took over. I spent a few months eradicating it from my tank. You won't starve it out very easily but you can pull it out, it just takes time and probably a re-aquascape as well.