High Tide Aquatics

Kalk out, CO2 scrubber back in (and question on humidity)

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L/B Block

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Kalk is out due mostly to the fact that the amount of kalk needed to have an impact was exceeding the evaporation rate and was really problematic keeping it from getting into the hyposalinity state.

So for the simple reason of never letting go of things-the CO2 scrubber is back in action. I may over time return to kalk just to try and push PH a little higher but I’ll live with a PH of around ~8 for now.


Question though -I have - 1/2 in hose that comes from the lid-if I leave it on there -the co2 scrubber looks like a sauna and you can really see the humidity travel through the hose.

Thinking of either using a t and leave the one port open to suck in dry air about 1/2 between lid and intake port. Or use a solenoid valve? If so -does anyone know where to get a 1/2 inch that I can plug into apex. The Neptune is only 1/4 inch. Any other ideas appreciated

TIA
 
L/B Block said:
Kalk is out due mostly to the fact that the amount of kalk needed to have an impact was exceeding the evaporation rate and was really problematic keeping it from getting into the hyposalinity state.

So for the simple reason of never letting go of things-the CO2 scrubber is back in action. I may over time return to kalk just to try and push PH a little higher but I’ll live with a PH of around ~8 for now.


Question though -I have - 1/2 in hose that comes from the lid-if I leave it on there -the co2 scrubber looks like a sauna and you can really see the humidity travel through the hose.

Thinking of either using a t and leave the one port open to suck in dry air about 1/2 between lid and intake port. Or use a solenoid valve? If so -does anyone know where to get a 1/2 inch that I can plug into apex. The Neptune is only 1/4 inch. Any other ideas appreciated

TIA
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The media is more effective if kept humid. That is why the recirculating CO2 scrubber work so well.
 
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That's weird. I would think dry air coming from the CO2 scrubber intake would keep the humidity relatively low throughout the tubing. Some moisture is good, I've always poured a tiny amount of water in the CO2 scrubber when I refill it, but I can't remember mine ever looking like a sauna.

edit: Is yours recirculating? I have no experience with this setup, so maybe it's normal.
 
L/B Block said:
Not totally recirculating..it has vents in top of lid..
Why you take it offline? If you did-or you just don’t get the same PH anymore?
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Oh yes, it will raise PH. Not sure if you were following my various comments here (which have a lot of supporters haha) on the use of Kalkwasser and CO2 scrubber. But in summary, I am trying to dial in my tank so that it will produce naturally good PH levels, without these supplements masking issues which remain unaddressed, and I am trying to minimize mid-term/long term issues from increased precipication which high PH measures create. I am less passionate about not using the scrubber vs the kalkwasser though.
 
Alexander1312 said:
Oh yes, it will raise PH. Not sure if you were following my various comments here (which have a lot of supporters haha) on the use of Kalkwasser and CO2 scrubber. But in summary, I am trying to dial in my tank so that it will produce naturally good PH levels, without these supplements masking issues which remain unaddressed, and I am trying to minimize mid-term/long term issues from increased precipication which high PH measures create. I am less passionate about not using the scrubber vs the kalkwasser though.
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I have seen various commentary from you but curious how you are going about this?
Would love to do the same but I think without running a hose to the outside to the skimmer I can’t can’t get above 8.1 without assistance of kalk, soda lime, or sodium (bi) carbonate..
 
L/B Block said:
I have seen various commentary from you but curious how you are going about this?
Would love to do the same but I think without running a hose to the outside to the skimmer I can’t can’t get above 8.1 without assistance of kalk, soda lime, or sodium (bi) carbonate..
Click to expand...
Accept 8.1 like I do currently. And I will let you know when I resolved this.
 
L/B Block said:
Thats at peak. Average is 7.93 over 7 days
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Same. Some will tell you it’s your ambient CO2, lack of gas exchange, your alk, then Henry’s law is referenced which is 100% applicable to a reef tank…and you will go back to a CO2 scrubber, Kalkwasser dosing because this will fix it. Or maybe it will not? Will let you know when I have a repeatable recommendation - and there might be an article coming out about this in the next few months.
 
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