I've been battling low PH since i've moved into my new house. Only solution I can think of is routing the skimmer air intake tube to the outside, only problem is the wall directly behind the tank is my garage. Will exhaust fumes from our cars be a problem? I mean we don't run the cars with the garage closed, but sometimes we'll get in our cars and start them before opening the garage. What about tempertature? Will the hot summers in the garage and cold winters have an effect on my display tank temp?
skimmer air intake in garage?
- Thread starter mic209
- Start date
OwenInAZ
New member
I'd be more concerned about the fumes in the garage than the heat/cold. Constant intake from out there could pose a problem. One solution might be to construct a carbon reactor for the intake air. Most anything harmful would probably get removed in there.
The hot/cold might have an effect, but I imagine it'd be mitigated by the relatively small volume of water in the skimmer at any given time, especially if you have a heater/chiller on the tank.
The hot/cold might have an effect, but I imagine it'd be mitigated by the relatively small volume of water in the skimmer at any given time, especially if you have a heater/chiller on the tank.
serpentman
part time superhero
I've run my skimmer intake outside for years with no detrimental side effects. Where I live, temps easily run 90F in the summer and in the singe digits in the winter. Ultimately, it depends on the total volume of your system as you may work your heaters or chiller a bit harder to compensate. To overcome extremes I ran a very long line from the skimmer so air would somewhat equilibrate with the house temps.
As far as the garage goes, obviously, carbon monoxide is your biggest concern along with dust, etc. You can easily DIY an air filter for the end of your intake with something like this which will filter carbon monoxide:
http://www.polyperformance.com/rally/Parker-Pumper-Replacement-Carbon-Monoxide-Filter-p-21286.html
Given the application, this should last you virtually forever. Keep in mind, activated carbon will not filter carbon monoxide well.
As far as the garage goes, obviously, carbon monoxide is your biggest concern along with dust, etc. You can easily DIY an air filter for the end of your intake with something like this which will filter carbon monoxide:
http://www.polyperformance.com/rally/Parker-Pumper-Replacement-Carbon-Monoxide-Filter-p-21286.html
Given the application, this should last you virtually forever. Keep in mind, activated carbon will not filter carbon monoxide well.
OwenInAZ
New member
lordofthereef
One reef to rule them all
Seems to me like your best option is to get into the habit of not running your car at all with the garage door closed 
