CO2 scrubber makes skimmer overflow

ToLearn · 03/18/2011, 11:51 PM

When I hook up a CO2 scrubber to the air intake it makes our skimmer overflow. I've even tried adjusting the air flow all the way up and down and opened the exit coming out of the cone skimmer all the way open, but still as soon as the tube coming from the scrubber is hooked to the skimmer air intake it causes an overflow with in minutes.

Anyone else run into this?

Randy Holmes-Farley · 03/19/2011, 07:42 AM

It is probably restricting the air flow too much.

tkeracer619 · 03/19/2011, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randy Holmes-Farley

It is probably restricting the air flow too much.

This

Gordonious · 03/19/2011, 09:50 AM

Thanks Randy, that's what I was thinking, but how could I fix that? Figured there had to be others that ran across this issue as well and maybe came up with a solution. An air pump pushing into the scrubber maybe..? Perhaps I'll cut the amount of media in half.
It’s a DIYS type set up just using ½” vinyl ran to a vertical for a RO prefilter, with a DI cartridge in it filled with the media. I didn’t buy one made by a company only because the biggest company making them went out of business.

I thought maybe the air line was too long, but then I was thinking some people run their airline a distance to get it to pull from outdoors and I never heard anyone say when doing so that they had to make significant adjustments or do anything else, but extend the line. Perhaps I should reduce the half inch to small airline for the two foot length and adapt it up again.

Going to play with it again. Thanks for responding.

BTW, Randy. If you put some water in a sealed container and take it to a local fish store 30 minutes later and have them test the pH with a hobby chemical kit off the shelf, could the pH have changed in the container on the way?

tkeracer619 · 03/19/2011, 10:12 AM

Yes the ph can change.

Gordonious · 03/19/2011, 10:24 AM

Sorry confusing with the two screen names, my girl friend logs on sometimes.

Randy Holmes-Farley · 03/19/2011, 01:06 PM

Yes, the pH could drop. It is unlikely to rise.

Also, pH test kits are often not very accurate.

People do sometimes have to pump air from outside rather than just suck it, but moreover, the media can slow down the air flow in a scrubber.

There are many threads on these sorts of issues in the chemistry forum.

Gordonious · 03/19/2011, 01:17 PM

I swore that was the case the pH could drop in a container and the kits were inaccurate, but wanted to see it typed out by you to share with people who won't listen to me. Few people will doubt Randy's words. Total respect.

I've read many threads on CO2 scrubbing, but searching the entire forum with threads titled, "scrubber trouble" or "scrubber overflow" as well as others never resulted in anything.

I'll start by reducing the amount of media by half and see how it does.

Randy Holmes-Farley · 03/19/2011, 02:20 PM

If they ask why the pH can drop, it is because bacteria in the water can continue to metabolize organics present, producing CO2 and thereby lowering pH.

You might check this thread on scrubbers for a lot more info, including discussion of flow.

Gordonious · 03/19/2011, 02:50 PM

Sweet, makes sense. Thanks Randy.

Very interesting thread... ;-)

Randy Holmes-Farley · 03/20/2011, 06:16 AM

Good luck.

03/18/2011, 11:51 PM	#1
ToLearn Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 452	CO2 scrubber makes skimmer overflow When I hook up a CO2 scrubber to the air intake it makes our skimmer overflow. I've even tried adjusting the air flow all the way up and down and opened the exit coming out of the cone skimmer all the way open, but still as soon as the tube coming from the scrubber is hooked to the skimmer air intake it causes an overflow with in minutes. Anyone else run into this?

03/19/2011, 07:42 AM	#2
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	It is probably restricting the air flow too much. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

03/19/2011, 10:12 AM	#5
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	Yes the ph can change. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

03/19/2011, 01:06 PM	#7
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	Yes, the pH could drop. It is unlikely to rise. Also, pH test kits are often not very accurate. People do sometimes have to pump air from outside rather than just suck it, but moreover, the media can slow down the air flow in a scrubber. There are many threads on these sorts of issues in the chemistry forum. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

03/19/2011, 02:20 PM	#9
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	If they ask why the pH can drop, it is because bacteria in the water can continue to metabolize organics present, producing CO2 and thereby lowering pH. You might check this thread on scrubbers for a lot more info, including discussion of flow. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

03/19/2011, 09:50 AM	#4
Gordonious Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Newark DE Posts: 3,393	Thanks Randy, that's what I was thinking, but how could I fix that? Figured there had to be others that ran across this issue as well and maybe came up with a solution. An air pump pushing into the scrubber maybe..? Perhaps I'll cut the amount of media in half. It’s a DIYS type set up just using ½” vinyl ran to a vertical for a RO prefilter, with a DI cartridge in it filled with the media. I didn’t buy one made by a company only because the biggest company making them went out of business. I thought maybe the air line was too long, but then I was thinking some people run their airline a distance to get it to pull from outdoors and I never heard anyone say when doing so that they had to make significant adjustments or do anything else, but extend the line. Perhaps I should reduce the half inch to small airline for the two foot length and adapt it up again. Going to play with it again. Thanks for responding. BTW, Randy. If you put some water in a sealed container and take it to a local fish store 30 minutes later and have them test the pH with a hobby chemical kit off the shelf, could the pH have changed in the container on the way?

03/19/2011, 10:24 AM	#6
Gordonious Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Newark DE Posts: 3,393	Sorry confusing with the two screen names, my girl friend logs on sometimes.

03/19/2011, 01:17 PM	#8
Gordonious Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Newark DE Posts: 3,393	I swore that was the case the pH could drop in a container and the kits were inaccurate, but wanted to see it typed out by you to share with people who won't listen to me. Few people will doubt Randy's words. Total respect. I've read many threads on CO2 scrubbing, but searching the entire forum with threads titled, "scrubber trouble" or "scrubber overflow" as well as others never resulted in anything. I'll start by reducing the amount of media by half and see how it does.

03/19/2011, 02:50 PM	#10
Gordonious Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Newark DE Posts: 3,393	Sweet, makes sense. Thanks Randy. Very interesting thread... ;-)

03/20/2011, 06:16 AM	#11
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	Good luck. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

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