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Co2 Reactor with Secondary chamber (1 Viewer)

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Betcao01

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Hopefully this can save a Marshian some headaches.

Initially I setup my recirculating co2 reactor with great success. Got my pH to 8.5 and averaged 8.3. Unfortunately, my skimmer went crazy for some reason and overflowed my reactor. Ruined my media and defeats the purpose of recirculating.

This is what I made to prevent this from ever happening again. I taped the three holes on the skimmer lid for true recirculation.
 

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cigmin

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Thx for sharing bc I'm working to improve my recirculation as well. U mind explaining what u setup. I'm a bit confused with the 3 lines going into container


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Betcao01

Betcao01

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Thx for sharing bc I'm working to improve my recirculation as well. U mind explaining what u setup. I'm a bit confused with the 3 lines going into container


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There are three black lines. First black line is from the skimmer feeding air to the co2 reactor's second chamber. Second black line is from the second chamber to the co2 reactor. Third black line is from the co2 reactor feeding the scrubbed air back to the co2 reactor's second chamber. Finally, the orange line goes back into the skimmer lid completing the closed loop recirculation.

Unfortunately, after testing this setup yesterday, my pH only reached 8.25. The purpose of making the secondary chamber is to prevent skimmate from going back into the co2 reactor and destroying the media if the skimmer overflows.

This setup was suppose to make the co2 media last longer, but has compromised the full effect of the co2 scrubber. I've taken the orange line out of the skimmer lid this morning, to see if this will improve the pH numbers. Screenshot_20200919-071039.jpg
 
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cigmin

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I kinda did close to the same thing. I added a container from the output line of air top of skimmer the added the input of reactor to the collecting container. The difference would be I separated my output air from reactor to the skimmer pump.

I think the setup u have might benefit doing that . U may not be getting all scrub air back into the system

Thx for the detail - just trying to learn ;)


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Betcao01

Betcao01

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I kinda did close to the same thing. I added a container from the output line of air top of skimmer the added the input of reactor to the collecting container. The difference would be I separated my output air from reactor to the skimmer pump.

I think the setup u have might benefit doing that . U may not be getting all scrub air back into the system

Thx for the detail - just trying to learn ;)


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I agree. I'm probably not getting enough scrubbed air back into the system. We're all learning together :) please post some pics of your setup.
 

cigmin

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bd454c399353d1b787ae79f51b40e36c.jpg
I'm holding the skimmer air line to a catch container. Just trying to remove extra moisture. Was also considering respiratory inline devices. Tube on right goes to input of reactor


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Betcao01

Betcao01

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Please send pic of you overall co2 scrubber setup. I'm trying to see the difference in your setup and mine. Btw, what's your peak pH reading?
 

cigmin

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fd7ec9dfb53282f231828e2f966e2882.jpg
Just changed my reactor to full stack was using a half one ( lasting 4 days). The output on reactor connects back to the intake pump of skimmer


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Betcao01

Betcao01

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bd454c399353d1b787ae79f51b40e36c.jpg
I'm holding the skimmer air line to a catch container. Just trying to remove extra moisture. Was also considering respiratory inline devices. Tube on right goes to input of reactor


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Has any skimmate gotten in your co2 reactor from the tube going on the lid?
 
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Betcao01

Betcao01

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More or less just moisture 0db0b3b1f45289fe42121b97fa5e5f2e.jpg
I added two sponges just to keep water from media


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That's a great idea. How long does the media last? Also, did you implemented the secondary chamber because your co2 reactor got flooded too?
 

cigmin

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No flooding. the secondary changer was due to bubblies and moisture build up in the line in my container I have paper towels to absorb the water .


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Betcao01

Betcao01

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The half stack was a good 4 days. So I started the full size reactor last night Soo we shall see ;)


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Damn, that's going get expensive if only 4 days LOL
 
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Betcao01

Betcao01

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I got my highest numbers when I didn't recirculate the scrubbed air back to the skimmer lid. Then I realize how expensive it was going to get. Depending on how today's test goes, I may not do a close loop. The goal is to not waste co2 media with skimmer accidents LOL
 
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