decreasing CO2

[CTaylor]

I indirectly tested the CO2 in my tank and found it 'high'. And found also that the CO2 in my apt is high. My apt is dimly lit, so does anyone have a good idea on good houseplants for low light, and will convert CO2 very well? I could also run a air line from my balcony through the wall to my tank. But I'd like to lower the CO2 in my apt overall, since it's probably better for me also (?)

I determined my CO2 levels just by taking a sample of tank water, which was 7.97 . Aerating out side increased it to 8.12 .

Brining it back indoors, this same sample went down to 7.91 . The tank water is elevated above this partly because of Kalkwasser dosing.

My tank water maxes out at about 8. I know that's ok from reading, but I'm sure it would be higher if I had the same level of CO2 in my apt as it is outside. I'd leave my windows all open, but it's too hot outside, and all the humidity would ruin my ac even if I left windows part open all the time lol .

Anyhow, who has a low light apt with houseplants, and which ones? I'm thinking I need artifical lighting since plants just need some type of light, esp for energy to convert CO2 to O2. Maybe one that lights the room anyhow?

I know it's a long post :-D

[MrOutCastX]

I've kept an aloa vera plant for a while with little light. They grow pretty big, and you can cut off some of the stems to start new plants with it too. They're pretty cheap when they're small, and available at most garden stores.

[C.Eymann]

As I'm sure you know a pH of 7.8-.9 isn't going to hurt anything, might slow down growth a bit though. Because you are in an apartment you are sharing your air with a bunch of other CO2 producing "critters" and tendents. A houseplant or two won't process enough CO2 to make any difference, especially not ones being dimly lit/low photosynthetic rate.

I'm guessing, for house plants to make a big difference you would have to have a lot of them, also ideally they would be on a reverse photo cycle of the tank, much like refugiums, then again, I'm skeptical.

Best route is like you mentioned, routing skimmer intake outside or building a CO2 scrubber via soda lime

[downbeach]

Baby Rubber plants (Peperomia obtusifolia) are know to be good O2 producers, don't grow too large, like indirect lighting, and being succulents don't require frequent watering. But as mentioned, you may need a lot of them to see any significant affect. You might add some Snake plants, and Peace Lilies for variety.

[ca1ore]

Part of the CO2 dissolved in your tank water comes from the injected air into the skimmer, but far more dissolves at the water/air interface that is the surface of your tank. Absent addressing the CO2 levels in the apartment air, I cannot see how running a fresh air line to the skimmer from outside would make more than a negligible difference. Not sure where you live, but open the windows at night if you can.

[CTaylor]

I air out my apt daily for 30 mins. I open two windows on opposite ends of my place, so there's cross flow. After I did that today, I opened one window about 3" open, and turned on my bathroom exhaust fan. It's been like this a few hours so far today. I am 'testing' the CO2 in the apt. There is still a 0.1 loss from where it started. Start at 7.97 , now 7.87 . So even with 'ventilation' I have a lot of CO2! . I work at home, so most of it apparently is from me. But seriously, my place is now ventilated, and still elevated CO2 . Apparently there is nothing I can do (?) I cant see any plants doing better than actual ventilation.

[CTaylor]

edit.. 20 mins after my post, i'm up to 7.9 again. Maybe it's taking this much time for the CO2 to flush out of my apt with the small window opening and bathroom fan, even after opening the windows this morning?

[jduck]

I think you would be surprised how much a fresh air line for the skimmer would raise the ph.

[CTaylor]

WHat I'm going to to is get some araca palms and othe rplants suggested by down beach .. get a directional multibulb floor lamp or two to light them with plant type bulbs. So I get some CO2 scrubbing for the apt. I was reading that 5-10 araca palms would do it (lol..that's a lot, but whatever).. Assuming that's not enough, run the airline from my poarch through a hole I make in the window screen, 20 feet to my sump. My window will always have to be a bit open to allow the air tubing through. Once I find its effective I may drill an actual hole through the wall and seal it around the tubing.

Anyone think an average $12 air pump can pump the air that far?
AND once I have the tubing and air stone to the skimmer then what?? I have a Reff Octopus 2000 (I think it's a 2000). Where to put the air stone?

This is my weekend mini project
Thanks

[downbeach]

I used 1/2" vinyl tubing, and just added it directly to the skimmers air intake muffler...no air pump/stone, etc.

[rt67ghy]

I would just grow some chaeto in the sump/ fuge if you have the space.

[CTaylor]

oh right.. DUHHH .. I didn't think of that . too obvious!
*what about a money tree? Malabar chestnut (Pachira aquatic)
I have one outside, that grows really easy and fast.. will that suck up CO2?

[CTaylor]

right.. I need cheato.. I have caulerpa in there thats been strangled by some green algae that I can't get rid of.. was going to get it cleaned out and start new with chaeto

[CTaylor]

I left my apt 2 1/2 hours ago, pH was about 7.93 max. i'm producing a lot of CO2! left with window crakced open, bathroom vent on. pH hit 8.04 in my testing aeration sample! lol .
Later: 30 mins after I'm back it's at 7.97 .