What size Co2 scrubber?

[Andresnyc93]

Hey everyone,

I am currently having issues with my PH and struggling to stay past 7.9, I have tried opening more windows which isn’t suitable for too long since the winter is pretty cold in NYC. I’ve never used a CO2 scrubber before so I’m wondering if anyone can tell me what size scrubber so I need, I’m running a Reef Octopus 110INT. I have a 85 gallon DT with 15 gallon sump and I am very tight on space in the stand so something compact would be ideal.
Thanks in advance!

 

[blaxsun]

Does opening the windows raise the pH though? I think whatever size you can fit is probably what's best to go with (and smaller units will theoretically be cheaper to operate).

 

[Andresnyc93]

Does opening the windows raise the pH though? I think whatever size you can fit is probably what's best to go with (and smaller units will theoretically be cheaper to operate).

Slightly but it does, does it need to sit somewhere specifically or could I put behind the sump?

 

[blaxsun]

Slightly but it does, does it need to sit somewhere specifically or could I put behind the sump?

I think you can put it anywhere, really. It just needs to be connected to the skimmer air intake.

 

[Andresnyc93]

I think you can put it anywhere, really. It just needs to be connected to the skimmer air intake.

Any brand should be sufficient right

 

[blaxsun]

Any brand should be sufficient right

I think so. Offhand I don't know what the best are, but BRS probably has a writeup and video on which ones they recommend.

 

[RGoltz]

I would buy whatever unit fits easily in your sump or stand area. My experience running a 1 liter scrubber on my 425XL has been great with PH never dropping below 8.2.

I have been surprised by how long the media lasts. This is anecdotal but when I installed the scrubber I ran the a hose from the input on the scrubber to outside my stand (not outside my house). It has made me wonder if my PH would have been improved by just drawing my skimmer air from outside the stand. I don’t have any incentive to experiment now but if I were in your position, I would at least try this before adding a scrubber.

 

[Andresnyc93]

I would buy whatever unit fits easily in your sump or stand area. My experience running a 1 liter scrubber on my 425XL has been great with PH never dropping below 8.2.

I have been surprised by how long the media lasts. This is anecdotal but when I installed the scrubber I ran the a hose from the input on the scrubber to outside my stand (not outside my house). It has made me wonder if my PH would have been improved by just drawing my skimmer air from outside the stand. I don’t have any incentive to experiment now but if I were in your position, I would at least try this before adding a scrubber.

Will give this a try before I buy it. Although most reactors look cheap and pretty efficient/easy to set up.
does your ph stay on 8.2 consistently with the scrubber? Or do you have drops here and there

 

[RGoltz]

Will give this a try before I buy it. Although most reactors look cheap and pretty efficient/easy to set up.
does your ph stay on 8.2 consistently with the scrubber? Or do you have drops here and there

8.2 is my overnight low and and 8.3 to maybe 8.4 is my daytime high. I’m very happy with the results; I think running a line outside the stand is a good idea either way. I have an IceCap scrubber and it did not come with any tubing so you’ll need that anyways. It did come with media and I bought more media with the expectation of it not lasting, but the original 1 liter has been in for more than a month!