CO2 Scrubber and Protein Skimmer

[DatReefGuy]

Was doing a water change tonight and cleaned my skimmer cup. Fired everything back up and noticed that there was a ton of water in the skimmer neck. I disconnected the CO2 scrubber and the bubbles immediately came back and produced nice thick foam. I plugged the CO2 scrubber back in and the protein skimmer neck instantly filled with water with very little bubbles. I never noticed this before, does this sound normal? Pictures are posted below.

 

[afboundguy]

My guess is something is blocked in the CO2 scrubber line or severely restricted causing there to be decreased or no air coming in.

 

[DatReefGuy]

My guess is something is blocked in the CO2 scrubber line or severely restricted causing there to be decreased or no air coming in.

Possible. I'll have to investigate a little more when I get home from work. Don't get me wrong, I am producing some good skimmate with no CO2 Scrubber.

 

[dz6t]

Get an inexpensive CO2 monitor from Amazon. If the CO2 level in the room is around 450 to 600 ppm, the scrubber is not useful.

 

[Duds]

Get an inexpensive CO2 monitor from Amazon. If the CO2 level in the room is around 450 to 600 ppm, the scrubber is not useful.

So I assume it’s higher numbers that would make the scrubber useful?

 

[DatReefGuy]

Get an inexpensive CO2 monitor from Amazon. If the CO2 level in the room is around 450 to 600 ppm, the scrubber is not useful.

That's fair. My pH has always been under 8 (even in the Summer Months) so with the scrubber, I've been at 8.25 at the highest.

 

[dz6t]

CO2 enters water via water surface, that includes protein skimmer and open surface of the tank, sump etc.
Since you get a lot of pH boosts from the scrubber, that means either the protein skimmer is doing major air exchange or your room CO2 level is very high.
It is good to get a CO2 monitor just for your own health.

 

[DatReefGuy]

CO2 enters water via water surface, that includes protein skimmer and open surface of the tank, sump etc.
Since you get a lot of pH boosts from the scrubber, that means either the protein skimmer is doing major air exchange or your room CO2 level is very high.
It is good to get a CO2 monitor just for your own health.

I exhale a lot of hot air so that's not a bad idea! I'll keep you updated!