The CO2 scrubber - any comments?

Wow, nice calculating. My skimmer draws 1700L/hr so it may only last around 2 months :(.
 
Kudos for the calculation atkinsq. I tend to think that co2 does not rebuild as quickly after it is removed from the air so my estimate is that it will last about 8-9 months.
I like this concept although it would be advisable first to determine exactly how much benefit you can expect by aerating some tank water outside to see the pH difference. I've spoken to some people with canopies on their tanks and the pH is depressed 0.15 to 0.20 which is significant. Someone with a tight canopy or top on the tank would be a prime candidate.
It is also nice that this solution is not something that is added to the system water but something that will deduct from the system. Too many quick fix additives are never the answer.
 
atkinsg

Nice for you to do the math but I think it is off

Where did you get this from "375 " ?

400 ppm CO2 = .400 ml / l CO2 in atm air

A room of ~ 34,000 liter (~ 8 x 12.5 x 12.5 ft) @ 370ppm, has ~12.5 liters of CO2

I wrote Smith Medical to see what the had to say, @ 1 liter of a SODASORB @ 2000 l / hr air flow.

Media lasts 1 - 3 months, depending upon skimmer air volume @ ~$30.00

And that is a atm CO2. Jeremy's lasted like 2 weeks = ~ $800.00 / year. Even if it did last 1 month that is still ~ 350 / year. And is based on 2000 lph (liters per hour) of air. I do not know the the CO2 Scrubber is using Sodasorb or not. Lastly, since it is a media it needs to be a set flow rate for max adsorption obviously the slower the better.

And obviously as Lou showed that ~$30.00 / refill from MCU is way out of line. I looked at this cartridge and it is not rocket science to take it apart an fill with Lou's stuff or just get a refillable one. I will add the MSU also has color indicator beads for exhaustion.
 
I think the + by the name means they are your "friend".

My skimmer draws 2800LPH tops, I have it cut back to 2400 LPH. The soda lime method seems rather expensive.

How about the limewater scrubber? Fill up a salt bucket with water and a lot of lime. Close the lid, have a largish intake tube that extends down toward the bottom and a skimmer tube at the top of the lid. This would be pretty inexpensive and easy.
 
I have no clue Cliff what you mean :) I see no Boomer+. I will take a guess that it means that one or more off of your "freinds", is on line. But I see nothing. Billy brought this up the other day, as the "friends" and "contact" stuff is changed
 
Scott that is one of the ways. You bubble the lime water with air at the bottom, the air rises through the lime up to the air space under the lid and the air space pressure pushes the now non-CO2 air up the air line to the skimmer. 20 year old trick :)
 
Thanks. I may try it. My concern is the restriction on the skimmer intake. How full of water should the salt bucket be? Need enough for it to work without killing the skimmer pump airflow. Again, my skimmer pump pulls a lot of air 2400 - 2800 LPH.
 
Its an MSX250 retrofitted with an SWC Askoll 1500 pump. It will pull 2800 LPH. I current have a restriction in the output to knock it down to 2400.
 
Boomer,

375 is 375 L Air/g SS (SodaSorb)

I get 375 like this. 15L CO2/100g SS = 0.15L CO2/g SS. I used 400 ppm CO2 in atmosphere so that means 1,000,000L Air/400L CO2 = 2,500L Air/L CO2.

Multiply these 2 numbers to get L Air/g SS, 0.15 X 2,500 = 375
 
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I made a salt bucket limewater scrubber and it didn't work out. I used 3/4" thinwall PVC for both the intake and the skimmer side. With the bucket maybe a bit over 1/2 full, it caused the skimmer to start overflowing pretty much immediately. As I suspected, too much restriction on the pump air intake. Oh well.
 
If you are looking to source sodasorb the US headquarters is in Mass and I believe that they support their distributors in various markets. Like Smith medical for anesthesia use, other distributors for underwater diving, etc. I would think the best way to get some information would be to call the Sodasorb US HQ in Mass; speak to them regarding a potential new use and ask them for a sample or a high volume distributor that is near to you (to keep shipping cost low).
I think that this concept has potential and can save money versus other additives to elevate pH.
 
I still may give it a shot. The stuff from BRS is only about $20. The Soadsorb is what I'm worried about. I don't want to have a 5 gallon bucket of the stuff it it doesn't work well on my system. I tried looking for a smaller amount, maybe 1 gallon, but couldn't find any.
 
Atk

OK, now I see what you did



Lou

I e-mailed them and may call then for us on Monday.




Matt

BRS has CO2 media ? I can't find any
 
Boomer said:
Atk




Matt

BRS has CO2 media ? I can't find any
Click to expand...



No I don't think so. I meant the canister and fittings to make a similar set up to the 1 linked in the first post. The only thing I would have to get some where else is the media. I was thinking of getting an RO canister and thread to hose barb fittings and I already have a refillable canister to put in it. If I do decide to try it do you think it would be wise to get a check valve so water didn't accidentally get in there? Or would that be to restrictive on the air line?
 
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