Burning Co2 scrubber media super fast

[Biff0rz]

Sort of at a loss of what to do. The current setup is-
Skimmer top adapter that pipes to a moisture catch container, which then goes to a large icecap scrubber which is filled to the top w media. Then the exit of the scrubber goes to the intake of the skimmer. So, a closed loop for removing Co2 from the tank water.

I run the skimmer 24x7 and when the media is good, I get between 8.1-8.35 ph.

Thing is, I'm burning media like what I feel like is very fast. I went through it in 10 days. I've seen most people claim 2 weeks on the low end and 2-3mo on the high end. So I recently added a T joint between the skimmer lid and the catch from an outside air line. It didn't do much to help.

I feel like this is burning a lot faster than it should be.

Any ideas?

You can see line from the skimmer going into the makeshift catch and then the line coming out of the top going into the intake on the scrubber

 

[MnFish1]

I might consider not using the 'recirculating' version (which I'm assuming its what you're doing) - its somewhat difficult to exactly see the set-up. The media will be 'used up' faster in high CO2 concentrations, humidity, poor quality media. I wonder if you would have better results merely taking air from outside if possible (i.e. outside air or air from the room) - to a dryer - to the scrubbing media to the intake of the protein skimmer - and determining whether this improves your pH more effectively. If so, you know it's something in the way your set up is set-up.

 

[Biff0rz]

I might consider not using the 'recirculating' version (which I'm assuming its what you're doing) - its somewhat difficult to exactly see the set-up. The media will be 'used up' faster in high CO2 concentrations, humidity, poor quality media. I wonder if you would have better results merely taking air from outside if possible (i.e. outside air or air from the room) - to a dryer - to the scrubbing media to the intake of the protein skimmer - and determining whether this improves your pH more effectively. If so, you know it's something in the way your set up is set-up.

It is set up recirculating version. I bought this media-
https://www.shopmedvet.com/product/soda-lime-5-gallon-JOR553B

I've added an outside air line to the system, but, I don't have a dryer unless what you're talking about is the moisture catch which is in the picture (it's the 1L bottle). I could remove the recirculating portion but before using the scrubber I was using outside air only and was getting suboptimal results (it was not passing a scrubber, however). I could set it up as you suggest - outside, dryer, scrubber, skimmer intake. I have a feeling it'll be the same result.

The tank is in the basement, 4 people in the home who mostly stay upstairs. We do keep the house closed up a lot.

 

[MnFish1]

It is set up recirculating version. I bought this media-
https://www.shopmedvet.com/product/soda-lime-5-gallon-JOR553B

I've added an outside air line to the system, but, I don't have a dryer unless what you're talking about is the moisture catch which is in the picture (it's the 1L bottle). I could remove the recirculating portion but before using the scrubber I was using outside air only and was getting suboptimal results (it was not passing a scrubber, however). I could set it up as you suggest - outside, dryer, scrubber, skimmer intake. I have a feeling it'll be the same result.

The tank is in the basement, 4 people in the home who mostly stay upstairs. We do keep the house closed up a lot.

However, if it is not the same result, then you know. Have you noticed improvement during times when you can have the windows open? I'm sure someone else will have an idea. I used the system described and I think the CO2 and humidity made a big difference in how quickly the media is exhausted.

 

[Biff0rz]

However, if it is not the same result, then you know. Have you noticed improvement during times when you can have the windows open? I'm sure someone else will have an idea. I used the system described and I think the CO2 and humidity made a big difference in how quickly the media is exhausted.

What kind of drying did you use?

 

[DangerDave]

It is set up recirculating version. I bought this media-
https://www.shopmedvet.com/product/soda-lime-5-gallon-JOR553B

I've added an outside air line to the system, but, I don't have a dryer unless what you're talking about is the moisture catch which is in the picture (it's the 1L bottle). I could remove the recirculating portion but before using the scrubber I was using outside air only and was getting suboptimal results (it was not passing a scrubber, however). I could set it up as you suggest - outside, dryer, scrubber, skimmer intake. I have a feeling it'll be the same result.

The tank is in the basement, 4 people in the home who mostly stay upstairs. We do keep the house closed up a lot.

I used this exact product for a few years, it worked great. Buying in bulk like that is the only way to make it almost worth the money. Recirculating the air made it last longer. I was out of state for a few months, and didn’t put the media on the list of maintenance items for my son. PH dropped at first, and after a few weeks came up on its own. I haven’t used it since.

 

[DangerDave]

Also, an alternative way I kept the air going to the media moist was to run the air through a media reactor with water in it. I used tap water, RO would get cloudy and smiley real fast.

 

[MnFish1]

What kind of drying did you use?

I believe the BRS desiccant.

 

[BriansBrain]

I’ve noticed in the summer the media gets exhausted much faster. I blame it on the humidity but I’m not for sure. My house is just as buttoned up in the summer vs winter.

winter my media lasts about 3 weeks and the summer seems like weekly.
I have the same soda lime from medvet, recirculate and have a moisture trap.

 

[MnFish1]

PS - I think this is a nice article - and gives one something more to think about: https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/content/post/top-20-co2-scrubber-mistakes

 

[Biff0rz]

I used this exact product for a few years, it worked great. Buying in bulk like that is the only way to make it almost worth the money. Recirculating the air made it last longer. I was out of state for a few months, and didn’t put the media on the list of maintenance items for my son. PH dropped at first, and after a few weeks came up on its own. I haven’t used it since.

Yea, unfortunately this isn't the case for me. Without scrubbing or outside air my system struggles to hit 7.9.

 

[Biff0rz]

I’ve noticed in the summer the media gets exhausted much faster. I blame it on the humidity but I’m not for sure. My house is just as buttoned up in the summer vs winter.

winter my media lasts about 3 weeks and the summer seems like weekly.
I have the same soda lime from medvet, recirculate and have a moisture trap.

Ok, so maybe what I'm experiencing is normal then. I have a larger system so I do expect it to get used up but I was expecting 3-4 weeks before exhausting it.

 

[bakbay]

I’ve been using the same 5g media (ordered thru Amazon vs direct, cheaper due to shipping). With the recirculating method, it lasts around 3-4wks on my 150g cube. As a matter of fact, I’m changing the media now! lol

With all recirculating options, make sure your skimmer has an auto shutoff function and not suck all those media back into the system if the cup is full — total tank wipeout!

 

[UMALUM]

I'm in the same boat, media was lasting months then summer hit. The humidity is like a double edge sword. Seems the media loves it almost to much then its exhausted in a week or so. Not really sure what to do as this is my first go around with using a scrubber drawn from outside. I figured I was gonna have to live with 8.2 as I'm not buying stock in this media.

 

[BriansBrain]

Here’s the latest I can go back to early March vs now. Minus that big dip it’s pretty solid for weeks. My last media change was June 29 and it’s already pretty much exhausted. Pretty annoying really lol

 

[Biff0rz]

PS - I think this is a nice article - and gives one something more to think about: https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/content/post/top-20-co2-scrubber-mistakes

1. Not knowing what CO2 media does - It removes CO2 and helps raise pH for more coral growth!

Got it

1. Not know what the CO2 media is - It's Kalkwasser (Calcium Hydroxide) pellets.

Knew this

1. Trying to recharge the CO2 media - Your oven is not hot enough, it needs to reach around 2000° F.

Not trying this

1. Neptune Systems not making a 3/8" solenoid - If enough of us ask for it, they will build it!

I run it 24x7 since it's always low

1. Not using a pH controller with a solenoid valve - By opening and closing a solenoid valve with a pH controller, you can maintain a tight pH window via the scrubber.

Same as above

1. Overlooking websites like McMaster-Carr - These industrial supply websites carry the solenoids and valves you need to control the scrubber.

Same as above

1. Not considering your tank's natural pH trends - Run the scrubber only when your tank needs the pH boost.

Needs it all the time

1. Not accounting for different protein skimmers - More air draw by the skimmer will result in faster media exhaustion.

Mine doesn't draw a ton but adequate

1. Not considering the recirculating CO2 Scrubber - Recirculating the air from your skimmer lid will reduce media exhaustion and save you money!

Doing this

1. Not considering the risks of recirculating - If your skimmer overflows and fills the CO2 scrubber with skimmate, that can result in toxins in your tank if left unchecked.

I have a catch and the skimmer output is at the top and I have a skimmer skimmate locker with code to auto shut off w multiple overfills

1. No one makes a recirculating skimmer with an integrated CO2 scrubber - If enough of us demand it, they will make it!

Meh

1. Under sizing your CO2 scrubber - The smaller the scrubber, the more often you will change out the media.

Large

1. Do not overlook the value of a CO2 Scrubber - Proper and stable pH is really, really important and it is worth the expense.

Got one

1. Shooting for 8.3 when 8.2 will suffice - Don't sacrifice media for minuscule pH increases.

Hitting sub 8

1. Running media too dry - Moisture in the scrubber chamber optimizes CO2 removal but don't submerge it.

It's moist for sure

1. Getting the media too wet - Moisture is good but getting the media wet will render the media ineffective.

This happened once, changed it fast

1. Missing the media color change - The color change of the media only lasts for so long, don't ignore it or else it changes back to white.

I check daily (ocd)

1. Overlooking two canisters instead of one - You can use two canisters to hold more media which means less maintenance.

Seems overkill to avoid maintenance

1. Using too small diameter tubing - A small diameter tubing will choke your skimmer and cause problems; match your skimmer's native airline size.

It's the size the scrubber recommends

1. Missing that a DC water pump might be the best way to tune it - A DC skimmer pump can control how much air is drawn into the skimmer through your CO2 scrubber.

Don't need this

 

[Biff0rz]

Changed June 26th

Blue = outside air line
Red = skimmer to collection cup
Yellow = collection cup to scrubber
Green = scrubber to skimmer intake

Skimmer has a locker with multiple overflow protection

 

[BriansBrain]

I’ve been using the same 5g media (ordered thru Amazon vs direct, cheaper due to shipping). With the recirculating method, it lasts around 3-4wks on my 150g cube. As a matter of fact, I’m changing the media now! lol

With all recirculating options, make sure your skimmer has an auto shutoff function and not suck all those media back into the system if the cup is full — total tank wipeout!

Assuming you’re in Orange County, CA, it’s not very humid. My media lasts that long too when it’s winter and dry vs humid

 

[bakbay]

With my tank full of SPS, I’m not even sure if higher pH is making a difference. I think that 7.9 is more than fine - I too chase pH cause that’s the latest trend. We might poke ourselves laughing hysterically in a few years looking back at this thread?

My SPS actually grew the fastest in the last 2wks with depleted media!!! Secret ingredient? STOP look at your tank daily. I was away on vacation for 2 1/2 weeks — they grew way faster, trust me! lol

 

[bakbay]

Assuming you’re in Orange County, CA, it’s not very humid. My media lasts that long too when it’s winter and dry vs humid

I’m close by the ocean and yes, not very humid. Indeed, we got “winter” here and it can be very treacherous— lows in the 50s!