Great video on the PH aspect of a marine tank, I use the same CO Scrubbing system and have windows open, use to connect a hose to the Skimmer and have it trailed outside, what ever works to keep that PH steady.
Until Spetember last year I was having huge issues with pH. It was sometimes 7.6 in the morning and 7.8-7.9 in the evening. I have had permanent issues with SPS coral growth and survivability. I have changed KH component from my two part method from NaHCO3 (sold in all reef shops as KH Buffer) to NaOH. NaOH reacts in the water with CO2 creating bicarbonates and reducing amount of dissolved CO2 in the water. My pH is now between 8,2 - 8.6. SPS corals loves it.
Awesome video Cam. To increase efficiency of the scrubber on the skimmer, could you recirculate the air escaping the skimmer cup back into the intake of the scrubber? This way you aren't trying to scrub the atmosphere of co2 but rather only whatever co2 was added to the air through the skimmer?
I’ve had big boosts from other tanks too. I think that the ph gain was limited by the enclosed sumps. When we lifted the lids on the sumps (to let air in) the pH rose considerably. Cam
Hi Cam! Nice vid. Beyond ventilating the outside sump as you say you’ve now done, the easiest way to increase pH would be simply to increase the alkalinity, rather than CO2 scrubbing. I’m sure Magic Mountains would go through scrubber media at a very rapid rate. Depending on the alkalinity supplement used, the pH would be increased closer to that of the supplement -> 8.4 (bicarb), 11 (carbonate aka soda ash) or 12 (kalk). Not sure whether Triton uses bicarb or carbonate, probably the latter though given it’s a concentrate, and carbonate is much more soluble.
Are you aware, that Triton does not recommend CO2 scrubbers? The text here is the German Triton bible and it says “Kein CO2 Filter” www.natur-riff.de/triton-handling/. It was written and confirmed to me by a Triton support guy in Germany(Marco).
7.9 before , 8.2 after pulling air from outside. I’ll also pull air through activated carbon to ensure I’m not pulling in pollution from outside, could be overkill.
Probably because the container (sump) has a lid and is sealed - would be pretty stale air in there. Just feeding the air intake line to the outside of the sump would have improved pH anyway. But the scrubbing media would further improve this.
I did originally try a hose from outside to the skimmer air intake but it didn’t help much. In the end we stopped using the scrubber and found the best solution was to slightly open the lids on the sump. Cam
You are drawing air from outside which has lower co2 levels than inside the house, that is going to do very little really. You would get better results with kalk.
Why do people with little knowledge seem to want to give everyone their opinion? Fresh air and CO2 scrubbing is the number 1 way to increase PH. This same approach alone has boosted my PH from 8.1 peak to 8.5+ peak and have done so for a considerable amount of time.
I thought the same. And combining outside air with co2 scrubber will do no more for ph than a scrubber and inside air, it will just extend the lifetime of the media.
We took the scrubber off the system as it didn’t make a big difference. In the end what improved the pH the most was opening the lids on the sump and allowing them air and a release of CO2. Cam
I think there is definitely a strong correlation between ph and the success of the tank. Any tank featuring stoney corals that does well at a low ph is a rare exception to the rule. Cam
@@GalleryAquaticaTV ill look into it. I never see these available in the states, but being in texas, we have similar weather as over there and like the idea of the out door sump to have plany of room to work
@@GalleryAquaticaTV thanks cam. I’m just getting used to using triton,my system seems to use minimum calcium and magnesium but loads of alkalinity , calcium 40ml per day mag 6 ml alkalinity 140 ml. And I’m struggling to keep it stable.
@@coraladdict5059 Agreed when it is from clear to a gradient of red/pink, but Sali PH isnt, its blue green yellow and have a variance in color not a gradient of colour. On top of it, Hanna actually DOES produce a higher resolution PH meter. Its not a Hanna "checker" though. So im really adamant that the Hanna Checker is not that good. Go for the Hanna HI98100 Ph Plus probe. They also have it in the Groline series. and is identical in price to the Checker, doesnt need reagent either.
I’d love to have 8.1 ph on my reef...I’m battling trying to increase mine from 7.6. I get 7.8 on a good day. Would a better ph help me keep torch corals as I can’t keep them alive for anything?
@@loustick8484 yep, there’s a huge draw of sups with all that coral. The triton has proven to be the most economical of the brands so it’s not too bad. Cam
@@GalleryAquaticaTV There is more improvement with the hair cut change in the video than the PH :P . Scrubbers cost too much as you will eat through the media
Can’t get enough of this dream reef tank!
It’s even better in person!
Great video on the PH aspect of a marine tank, I use the same CO Scrubbing system and have windows open, use to connect a hose to the Skimmer and have it trailed outside, what ever works to keep that PH steady.
Until Spetember last year I was having huge issues with pH. It was sometimes 7.6 in the morning and 7.8-7.9 in the evening. I have had permanent issues with SPS coral growth and survivability. I have changed KH component from my two part method from NaHCO3 (sold in all reef shops as KH Buffer) to NaOH. NaOH reacts in the water with CO2 creating bicarbonates and reducing amount of dissolved CO2 in the water. My pH is now between 8,2 - 8.6. SPS corals loves it.
Definitely a big improvement to your pH! Cam
Awesome video Cam.
To increase efficiency of the scrubber on the skimmer, could you recirculate the air escaping the skimmer cup back into the intake of the scrubber? This way you aren't trying to scrub the atmosphere of co2 but rather only whatever co2 was added to the air through the skimmer?
Hugely undersubscribed Channel!
Thanks so much😊 Cam
Wow... sitting down after my maintenance which included installing a new PH monitor and this video pops up!
Haha, we planned it that way😂
@@GalleryAquaticaTV I didn't know I had that power! 😂
That is an incredible tank/
I got a huge boost with my scrubber. From 7.6 to 8.4 peaks. Can't complain
I’ve had big boosts from other tanks too. I think that the ph gain was limited by the enclosed sumps. When we lifted the lids on the sumps (to let air in) the pH rose considerably. Cam
@@GalleryAquaticaTV I'd be drilling holes in it like it was Swiss cheese. Some people don't understand just how much higher ph can benefit a system.
Agreed. The problem we have is that the sumps are outside, so we need to keep the rain out as much as possible.
Hi Cam! Nice vid. Beyond ventilating the outside sump as you say you’ve now done, the easiest way to increase pH would be simply to increase the alkalinity, rather than CO2 scrubbing. I’m sure Magic Mountains would go through scrubber media at a very rapid rate.
Depending on the alkalinity supplement used, the pH would be increased closer to that of the supplement -> 8.4 (bicarb), 11 (carbonate aka soda ash) or 12 (kalk). Not sure whether Triton uses bicarb or carbonate, probably the latter though given it’s a concentrate, and carbonate is much more soluble.
Dude recirculate it from the skimmer cup, probably improve results for the cost of a skimmer cup lid
Seems to be a old footage, all the christmas decorations... :-)
Yes it’s a few months old now. We weren’t going to post it because the results weren’t as we’d hoped, but I figured it was a topic worth sharing. Cam
Are you aware, that Triton does not recommend CO2 scrubbers? The text here is the German Triton bible and it says “Kein CO2 Filter” www.natur-riff.de/triton-handling/. It was written and confirmed to me by a Triton support guy in Germany(Marco).
Interesting. We actually took this scrubber off the system as we couldn’t justify the small increase in pH. Cam
7.9 before , 8.2 after pulling air from outside. I’ll also pull air through activated carbon to ensure I’m not pulling in pollution from outside, could be overkill.
Which marine buffer do you use? Thanks. Good video!!!
It’s Seachem Marine Buffer
At 9:24: do you happen to use a new water-cooled microphone, Cam? Lovely tank! Thanks for a new video!
:):)
Haha! You really had me puzzled until I had a look at the footage😂 Cam
@@GalleryAquaticaTV Haha!:)
Small suggestion, can you get a mic? It’s very echoey on some vids.
Yes, we’ve been working on some different options to improve the sound quality. Cam
@@GalleryAquaticaTV thanks. You guys and Parker’s Reef are some of my favorites lately!
With the skimmer being outside, would a scrubber be of any use as the co2 outside must already be low? Much lower than inside where the tank is?
Good point, I was thinking how to improve installation but the question is "to what end"?
Probably because the container (sump) has a lid and is sealed - would be pretty stale air in there. Just feeding the air intake line to the outside of the sump would have improved pH anyway. But the scrubbing media would further improve this.
@@Macca_75 the skimmer which is outside has a fresh air feed to it
Is it efficient to scrub CO2 from outside air? You can just hook air line and suck air from outside?
I did originally try a hose from outside to the skimmer air intake but it didn’t help much. In the end we stopped using the scrubber and found the best solution was to slightly open the lids on the sump. Cam
Do u guys have any coral goby in stock?
You are drawing air from outside which has lower co2 levels than inside the house, that is going to do very little really. You would get better results with kalk.
Why do people with little knowledge seem to want to give everyone their opinion?
Fresh air and CO2 scrubbing is the number 1 way to increase PH. This same approach alone has boosted my PH from 8.1 peak to 8.5+ peak and have done so for a considerable amount of time.
I thought the same. And combining outside air with co2 scrubber will do no more for ph than a scrubber and inside air, it will just extend the lifetime of the media.
We took the scrubber off the system as it didn’t make a big difference. In the end what improved the pH the most was opening the lids on the sump and allowing them air and a release of CO2. Cam
@@GalleryAquaticaTV would love to live in a climate where I could have my sump outside 😆
👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
I've seen tanks running at 7.7 ph and they look stunning, why the PH increase. I mean I know 8.4 is considered perfect, but any other reason
I think there is definitely a strong correlation between ph and the success of the tank. Any tank featuring stoney corals that does well at a low ph is a rare exception to the rule. Cam
@@GalleryAquaticaTV really enjoying your videos and learning alot. Thanks Cam. Looking forward to the next one!
A little bit longer than a week.
Who makes the blue tote sump on this system?
It’s actually a seafood transport container. You can get them from seafood wholesalers usually. Cam
@@GalleryAquaticaTV ill look into it. I never see these available in the states, but being in texas, we have similar weather as over there and like the idea of the out door sump to have plany of room to work
I’ve just switched to triton. What are the parameters of magic mountain
Typically Calcium 440, Mag 1390, KH 8.0. Cam
@@GalleryAquaticaTV thanks cam. I’m just getting used to using triton,my system seems to use minimum calcium and magnesium but loads of alkalinity , calcium 40ml per day mag 6 ml alkalinity 140 ml.
And I’m struggling to keep it stable.
Typically the systems stabilise after a few weeks/months on triton.
I would have like a more detailed reading on the Hanna PH. For the Cost VS Salifert, the resolution isnt comparative.
But the Salifert is hard to read the colours, especially for colour blind people
@@coraladdict5059 Agreed when it is from clear to a gradient of red/pink, but Sali PH isnt, its blue green yellow and have a variance in color not a gradient of colour.
On top of it, Hanna actually DOES produce a higher resolution PH meter. Its not a Hanna "checker" though. So im really adamant that the Hanna Checker is not that good. Go for the Hanna HI98100 Ph Plus probe. They also have it in the Groline series. and is identical in price to the Checker, doesnt need reagent either.
I’d love to have 8.1 ph on my reef...I’m battling trying to increase mine from 7.6. I get 7.8 on a good day. Would a better ph help me keep torch corals as I can’t keep them alive for anything?
A better pH would definitely help with torch corals. Pretty much all stoney corals will do better when the oH is improved. Cam
Hey cam, for this size of tank, how much ml of triton do you put ?
9 feet by 3 feet by 4 feet high. We add 150ml of each part per day. Cam
@@GalleryAquaticaTV omg that s a lot of Triton !
@@loustick8484 yep, there’s a huge draw of sups with all that coral. The triton has proven to be the most economical of the brands so it’s not too bad. Cam
Hey Cam :)
You’re back!
@@GalleryAquaticaTV There is more improvement with the hair cut change in the video than the PH :P . Scrubbers cost too much as you will eat through the media
Yeah, especially in a tank this size.
Why not just drip kalk?.... Simple, problem solved!
Yes that definitely helps too, but complicates the triton dosing. Cam
Peeheich