|
07/19/2018, 09:19 AM | #1 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Gulfport (Mississippi Gulf Coast)
Posts: 1,405
|
Thoughts on installing an air line to outside my home for my skimmer?
I've got a very tight house with spray foam insulation top to bottom. Long of the short of it...my PH never exceeds 7.8. Its interesting to watch, too. Left town for week. House was completely closed. We weren't there to breath CO2 and the PH went up to 8.25 ish over that time every day. Anyway, I'm thinking about running a line to the exterior of my house to increase my PH. I believe this will improve my coral growth. Things I'm considering:
1) What about outside contaminants such as yard fertilizer overspray,, etc? So I'm thinking about installing an inline carbon filter in this pvc pipe style line. Nothing fancy. Just a larger section of pipe full of our normal filtering carbon we use in the tank. Any ideas? Any thoughts on that? 2) What about temperature changes? I live in the south. Its hot! Just how much temperature fluctuations could one expect with a line plumbed directly to the outside? Even in the cold? This line I'm thinking about would not exceed a 1" diameter. Just to make my point. The fireplace is in the center of the house. When we burn a fire, I have to crack a window to allow airflow for this fire to burn and create the necessary airflow up the chimney to carry the smoke out. My house is sealed. Its one heck of an insulator. Fabulous savings on electricity. But it does have a few drawbacks one has to consider. I plan to connect this line to my skimmer air intake line.
__________________
When a habit begins to cost money, it's called a hobby! Current Tank Info: Red Sea Reefer XL 425 Alive and Kick'n BOD 8-29-17 |
07/19/2018, 10:11 AM | #2 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 20,050
|
1) Concerns are valid and proposed solution is likely totally acceptable..
2) Temperature should be of little concern.. Before you spend time properly doing this project I would simply suggest you run a temporary (across the carpet/out the window type thing) to ensure its going to be beneficial and leave that for a few days/week and see.. Many times skimmer lines aren't as beneficial as people think they will be
__________________
Who me? |
07/19/2018, 10:25 AM | #3 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Gulfport (Mississippi Gulf Coast)
Posts: 1,405
|
That is a good suggestion!
__________________
When a habit begins to cost money, it's called a hobby! Current Tank Info: Red Sea Reefer XL 425 Alive and Kick'n BOD 8-29-17 |
07/19/2018, 12:42 PM | #4 | |
Grizzled & Cynical
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Stamford, CT
Posts: 17,319
|
Quote:
__________________
Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs |
|
07/19/2018, 12:47 PM | #5 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Gulfport (Mississippi Gulf Coast)
Posts: 1,405
|
Since we are on the subject, Any other ideas on other ways to increase my PH?
__________________
When a habit begins to cost money, it's called a hobby! Current Tank Info: Red Sea Reefer XL 425 Alive and Kick'n BOD 8-29-17 |
07/19/2018, 12:50 PM | #6 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Miller Place, NY
Posts: 7,206
|
Best not to chase numbers, PH is not that bad & as you have seen it's because of CO2 in the house.
__________________
250 gallon mixed reef, 2 Reefbreeder's Photon V 2, Deepwater BLDC 12, DAS EX-3 Skimmer, MTC mini cal, 2-3/4" Sea Swirls, Aquacontroller & 6 Tunze pumps. |
07/19/2018, 01:03 PM | #7 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 1
|
Maybe you should try CO2 absorbent, medical grade soda lime oraz something like that.
Wysłane z mojego Redmi Note 4 przy użyciu Tapatalka |
07/19/2018, 05:26 PM | #8 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 20,050
|
Dont dismiss it yet....try it...it can work for some and not others....variables....
__________________
Who me? |
07/19/2018, 06:06 PM | #9 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Boston strong
Posts: 2,766
|
I have the BRS co2 reactor and it really doesn't do a thing. if I shut all my windows and turn the central air on my PH goes 8.2-8.3 to 7.6-7.7 during the day. its even got as low as 7.5 at night. I ve tried everything to keep it up with the windows shut and it just doesn't budge
__________________
Joe and Jenny Current Tank Info: 180 reef |
07/19/2018, 08:29 PM | #10 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: indiana
Posts: 873
|
Two reasons people do this.
1. Big noisy skimmers. Downdrafts, spray injected and Beckett. Putting the suck noise outside. 2. Stable air. Ex. Beckett and downdraft, if you toot wrong or fry chicken you'll loose head foam.
__________________
If it was'nt for the sea I could not see or sing ( Jimmy Buffet ) I like to glue animals to rocks and put disturbing amounts of electricity and saltwater next to each other Reefing is'nt how long you been in it. It is how deep you get in it. Current Tank Info: 400g display build, 300g sump, 75g ATO, 75g refug and a few more. Close to a 1000g. 200g mixing station. |
07/19/2018, 08:37 PM | #11 |
Crab Free Zone
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 2,906
|
I ran a 1/8" inch ridged airline tube to the outside for my skimmer.
Went from 7.9 to 8.0..... Not much but I will take it....was easy It's at the side of my house, no spraying going on here, but valid consideration. We have had super hot summer. 35c......absolutely no change in tank temp. Now, I have learned not to chase the PH anymore.....8 is what it's going to be. It's either that or I have to change from 2 part to Kalkwasser.....has the added benefit of increasing PH...... Last edited by Uncle99; 07/19/2018 at 08:43 PM. |
07/20/2018, 02:11 PM | #12 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Missouri - KC area
Posts: 218
|
I have a line running outside and it really helped get my ph up. I used the silicone tubing sold by BRS and ran it from the skimmer air inlet to a 9" basic charcoal filter, then to outside. To transition to outside, I simply closed the window on a 1" thick piece of rigid styrofoam that the tube passes through and then "pinned" the window closed with a couple pieces of PVC. Works great and hardly noticeable. If I'm spraying for weeds or anything, I'll pull the tube out temporary and I hope the carbon filter will take care of trace issues
|
07/20/2018, 05:32 PM | #13 | |
RC Sponsor
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 14,173
|
Quote:
__________________
Director Customer Support Royal Exclusiv USA For All Royal Exclusiv & Bubble King questions please refer to our Sponsor forum: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/fo...play.php?f=745 Current Tank Info: 480G display mixed reef, 90G sump, 90G refugium, 60G display refugium. Check out my build thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1783476 |
|
07/20/2018, 05:36 PM | #14 | |
Grizzled & Cynical
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Stamford, CT
Posts: 17,319
|
Quote:
__________________
Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs |
|
07/23/2018, 04:03 PM | #15 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Ottawa, Ontario
Posts: 536
|
I’ve cocncerdered running a line but am very concerned about temp. Not the heat but the cold. -30 Celsius at night in the winter is definitely going to happen. Maybe if the line is long enough in the house to warm up the air. But I’m not sure.
__________________
Go Sens Go Current Tank Info: 93 mixed reef |
07/23/2018, 04:17 PM | #16 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Gulfport (Mississippi Gulf Coast)
Posts: 1,405
|
I’ve been all over the board on this one. I still dont have a plan of attack.
__________________
When a habit begins to cost money, it's called a hobby! Current Tank Info: Red Sea Reefer XL 425 Alive and Kick'n BOD 8-29-17 |
07/23/2018, 04:18 PM | #17 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Gulfport (Mississippi Gulf Coast)
Posts: 1,405
|
Quote:
__________________
When a habit begins to cost money, it's called a hobby! Current Tank Info: Red Sea Reefer XL 425 Alive and Kick'n BOD 8-29-17 |
|
07/23/2018, 05:28 PM | #18 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 20,050
|
Quote:
Worst case is you are out a few bucks for some tubing.. big deal...
__________________
Who me? |
|
07/25/2018, 04:33 AM | #19 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Upstate NY
Posts: 5,313
|
Here in upstate NY we typically get as cold as -50F for days on end(yes I'm very close to Canada). While running an airline outside had no effect on my PH, the cold air also had no effect on my tank temps.
Well I did see some benefit, like a .2 increase. Not enough to make a huge difference, but it's in place so I still use it.
__________________
80G SCA Build: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2560256 Originally posted by der_wille_zur_macht: "He's just taking his lunch to work" |
07/25/2018, 07:46 AM | #20 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: mich
Posts: 26
|
If you have any reactors running they may be increasing the CO2 to the point it's lowering your PH. Try putting the out flow of your reactors into a piece of pvc with an airstone to promote gas exchange. This helped raise mine to an acceptable limit. The outflow on your reactors should have the lowest pH in your system due to the bacteria releasing co2. If you don't have room for the PVC try directing the outflow directly into the skimmer.
|
07/25/2018, 01:56 PM | #21 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 241
|
I have a super airtight house as well. I ran a line outside not so much to increase ph but to stabilize the daily fluctuations from us being gone all day. Overall I'm happy I did it. Stopped my daily 7.7 -8.1 swing. Also temp concern is a non issue, from summer to winter I noticed nothing
Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk |
|
|