CO2 Scrubber - Anybody used one?

[NeedBiggerTank]

Everytime there is a Group Buy for BRS, I always go to the site and look around, to see what they might have that I need... and last week, I found this:

BRS CO2 Scrubber Kit

So, has anyone used one of these? Do they work? Just curious.

 

[poolkeeper1]

Do you have a Calcium Reactor? This is used to rid a tank of excess Co2 from a Ca Rx. If not it would be pointless for you to have one FYI
Bill

 

[NeedBiggerTank]

It says it connects to your skimmer air intake - didn't read anything about a Calcium reactor in the description? Its supposed to clean the air to make the skimmer produce better skimmate and to make PH stable year round.

This is the from the BRS description:

"How does the CO2 SCRUBBER work?
While Skimmers raise oxygen levels, they also raise carbon dioxide levels. CO2 accumulates in marine and reef aquariums at higher than ambient levels, causing a drop in pH. The CO2 SCRUBBER removes carbon dioxide from the air drawn by the skimmer, lowering CO2 levels in the aquarium water. As a result, the pH rises and stabilizes naturally at a new higher level.

How does it raise my protein skimmer production?
By removing CO2 and conditioning the air entering the skimmer, you will experience a rise in the amount of skimmate or "gunk" in your skimmer cup. The benefit is lower nutrient levels (nitrates, phosphates, DOC) which fuels film and hair algae."

 

[poolkeeper1]

Ok?

Ok?

It says it connects to your skimmer air intake - didn't read anything about a Calcium reactor in the description? Its supposed to clean the air to make the skimmer produce better skimmate and to make PH stable year round.

This is the from the BRS description:

"How does the CO2 SCRUBBER work?
While Skimmers raise oxygen levels, they also raise carbon dioxide levels. CO2 accumulates in marine and reef aquariums at higher than ambient levels, causing a drop in pH. The CO2 SCRUBBER removes carbon dioxide from the air drawn by the skimmer, lowering CO2 levels in the aquarium water. As a result, the pH rises and stabilizes naturally at a new higher level.

How does it raise my protein skimmer production?
By removing CO2 and conditioning the air entering the skimmer, you will experience a rise in the amount of skimmate or "gunk" in your skimmer cup. The benefit is lower nutrient levels (nitrates, phosphates, DOC) which fuels film and hair algae."

That may be true but you can get the same results by opening a window to get fresh air into your house. Or just run you Skimmer air line out side your window or wall by drilling a small hole in your wall and let the Skimmer draw fresh air into the skimmer, This will give you the same results with none of the cost of buying this product JMHO
Bill:fish2:

 

[NeedBiggerTank]

Good point - but doesn't the length of the air line affect the bubbles? Like if it was several feet long, would enough air get to the skimmer pump? It might be difficult to leave a window open in winter or summer - although, with this weather, I've had windows open for a few days now.

I guess I was thinking that since I smoke, higher than regular levels of Co2 might be getting into my tank via the skimmer, and that wouldn't be helping my hair algae issue. I'm willing to try anything to reduce the HA.

 

[poolkeeper1]

Long Air Line

Long Air Line

Good point - but doesn't the length of the air line affect the bubbles? Like if it was several feet long, would enough air get to the skimmer pump? It might be difficult to leave a window open in winter or summer - although, with this weather, I've had windows open for a few days now.

I guess I was thinking that since I smoke, higher than regular levels of Co2 might be getting into my tank via the skimmer, and that wouldn't be helping my hair algae issue. I'm willing to try anything to reduce the HA.

No, Actually I have had one as long as ten feet going out a window all year long, Just use a little larger line then drop down to the normal size right at the skimmer again. Works like a charm for just what you are looking for as it feeds clean fresh Co2 free air to your skimmer! Without the Tobacco smoke also which is a pollutant to your tank that also does harm FYI
Bill:hammer:

 

[NeedBiggerTank]

The airline needs to be kept above the skimmer level for the length of the line to where it reaches outside, right? My nearest window is well over 15 feet - maybe more like 20 feet - so I could drill through the wall... Do you put a little piece of screen over the end of the tube outside to keep the critters out? Can you use more rigid tubing so it dosn't colapse?

 

[poolkeeper1]

Not really

Not really

The airline needs to be kept above the skimmer level for the length of the line to where it reaches outside, right? My nearest window is well over 15 feet - maybe more like 20 feet - so I could drill through the wall... Do you put a little piece of screen over the end of the tube outside to keep the critters out? Can you use more rigid tubing so it dosn't colapse?

I had mine running along the floor against the wall and then up and out the corner of the window screen. You could use any kind of tubing you want as i see no reason you can't. It just draws air from the pump operating and the length really does not effect it at all. I went out side and the air noise was just like it was without the silencer off at the skimmer. And yes you can run the end of the line through a little container of filter floss and carbon as to keep any out side contaminates from getting in your tank.
Bill

 

[NeedBiggerTank]

Well, I might give that a try - couldn't hurt. Think I'll test it out through an open window and make sure it works before drilling through the ouside wall. 20' of airline tubing would be entirely too much temptation for three cats! LOL I can drill through the wall right beside the tank and only 1' would be "exposed" vs. 20' to reach the window. And the 1' section could be easily camoflauged so that it doesn't look like a toy!

 

[NeveSSL]

Definitely make sure you put carbon on it. You never know may come floating by and kill your tank.

Brandon

 

[Pickupman66]

Interesting.. I guess since mine is in the garage, it does not need an airline attached to it. and yes, if you upsize the diameter you will have less friction restricition and will not hinder the airflow.

 

[NeveSSL]

Definitely, Lindsey. I've also noticed that my tank at the office has no problem at all with CO2, and consequently my pH stays between 8.0 and 8.15 constantly. However, in my former apartment, that thing was sealed like crazy and I had to use kalk to keep my pH up.

Brandon

 

[pelagic7]

I can see applying this to the tanks w/o Refugium. the benefits are 1. More stable PH during the nite time. 2. No need to fluctuate ALK during the nite time for the PH.

But damn, the price is not very nice

 

[poolkeeper1]

Price?

Price?

I can see applying this to the tanks w/o Refugium. the benefits are 1. More stable PH during the nite time. 2. No need to fluctuate ALK during the nite time for the PH.

But damn, the price is not very nice

A piece of hose is fairly cheap LOL
Bill

 

[Pickupman66]

A piece of hose is fairly cheap LOL
Bill

YUP.

my ph is steady at 8.18.

 

[pelagic7]

LOL yea. probably not on the top of my list.

 

[orthokardia]

could just stick a few plants in the room with your tank. they are nice to look at, change CO2 to O2 and are easier to keep alive than coral

 

[pelagic7]

.

 

[DevilBoy]

Y'all have me confused. Where would you attach the airline tubing coming off the skimmer? Number two. The tubing has to be same level or higher then the skimmer when you run it outside?

 

[poolkeeper1]

Air Line

Air Line

Y'all have me confused. Where would you attach the airline tubing coming off the skimmer? Number two. The tubing has to be same level or higher then the skimmer when you run it outside?

We are talking about the Airline from your Skimmer Pump, It only lets Fresh air that is not full of Co2 enter your skimmer this way. The Height of the line is not a factor in any way!
Bill:wave: