Outside Ventilation

[EllieSuz]

I've heard that you can achieve greater consistency in PH by ventilating outside air, especially in winter. Who does this and exactly what is the procedure? My tank is near enough to an outside wall to attempt this, but I don't know how to begin.

 

[magdelan]

You could do something as simple as extending your air hose from your skimmer pump to an out side vent. This will bring fresh air/oxygen to your tank all year round!!

 

[Dave VG]

How much does this affect the tank temp when its extremely cold outside?

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

It's pretty easy to determine if this will do anything for you, before undergoing the complications of implementing a vent. Get two fresh samples of water from your tank. Measure pH. Then, set one somewhere in your home near the tank, and set the other one outside. In a few hours, test pH again in both. If they're vastly different, you have identified that there is a difference in CO2 content in your home vs. outside.

 

[magdelan]

How much does this affect the tank temp when its extremely cold outside?

I suppose that could only be determined by the system size you are running. I don't think it would effect my 300g system too much, however it may drastically effect a 70 g system. I suppose it would also depend on the size pump you have and how much outside air it would actually be pulling in. Maybe it would be respective. Perhaps a 100g tank with a skimmer pump rated for a 100g tank wouldn't effect it any more than my 300g system and my 300g rated skimmer pump. I'm sure there are many ways too look at it.

 

[Dave VG]

megdelan ya thats why I asked. I have maybe 40 gallons total water volume and a skimmer rated for a 125 gal tank.