1 month growth in my macro algae reactor.

[oseymour]

Quick backstory - I started a 10 gallon nano tank for my son about 2 months ago. I didn't want to run a skimmer for a couple of reasons, my son is sensitive to noise when he is sleeping and the tank is sitting on his dresser and I didn't want to run the risk of a skimmer overflowing.

A buddy sent me a link to this MarineDepot video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHB1xbOqCRo - I went ahead and ordered the parts from them.

The pictures are of exactly one months growth. The reactor was so packed I needed to use something to lift it out. Tank has 2 clownfish, 0 zero nitrates and phosphates. (Interestingly is going through alk and calc faster than I would imagine in a 10 gallon. I'm using kalkwasser in the top of water)

I didn't even think to check it for the last month. I left a small amount it and will document growth going forward.

I might consider making one with a larger reactor for my 75 gallon tank.

The parts are an AquaMaxx reactor. Some cheapo leds from MarineDepot - the leds were not high quality at all. I had to do a lot of taping, wrapping ect to get the power plug to stay in. A 100gph pump that came with a Fluval EVO 5 gallon tank I had.

I've seen ARRID reactors for hundreds of dollars - this is a great DIY version that is cheap and works.

 

[deputydog95]

That is really cool!

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[Joel_155]

Okay wow!

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[Jonviviano]

Very cool! I have been interested in trying this out after seeing all the posts lately. Could you provide a little more information on the reactor setup? What spectrum strip lighting did you use? Thank!

 

[ali1]

Id b interested in a dyi thread

 

[ReefCowboy]

Cool!

 

[scuzy]

Was wondering if we could black duct tape around the reactor.


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[oseymour]

Here is the equipment list.

http://www.marinedepot.com/AquaMaxx...ate_Reactors-AquaMaxx-UJ5311-FIFRISPR-vi.html - I got this when it was on sale for about $60 black friday.

http://www.marinedepot.com/Accel_Aq...riums-Accel_Aquatics-6H94602-FILTFILD-vi.html

I used some gorilla glue to attach the lights to the reactor. It still looks like it would fall off so I used clear plastic wrap to keep it secure. I also used plastic wrap to waterproof some areas of the lights. To be honest the lights aren't well made.

 

[wildman926]

I have made this chaeto reactor out of an Aquamaxx biopellet reactor some time ago, and have posted it in several threads. I have one for both my of tanks. They compliment my ATS. Growth is determined by the amount of excess nutrients. The initial growth is great, but once it catches up with the rate of excess nutrients, it will slow.

[/QUOTE]

 

[oseymour]

I have made this chaeto reactor out of an Aquamaxx biopellet reactor some time ago, and have posted it in several threads. I have one for both my of tanks. They compliment my ATS. Growth is determined by the amount of excess nutrients. The initial growth is great, but once it catches up with the rate of excess nutrients, it will slow.

[/QUOTE]

What size aquamaxx reactor is that? I was seriously considering adding one to my 75 gallon.

 

[scuzy]

So I found a large 6" X 24" PVC tube that t I will slide the aquamaxx into to trying to isolate there light from escaping. Will see Howe this diy turns out once all parts arrive.


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[wildman926]

What size aquamaxx reactor is that? I was seriously considering adding one to my 75 gallon.

There are two sizes, and it is the smaller of the two. It is roughly the same size as the reactor you are using. They are about the same, the difference is that the water comes out in an angle at the bottom on mine, creating a swirling affect that you can actually see. During the rage of biopellets, I had found after 8 months that biopellets did not work for me, hence the change to an ats and a chaeto reactor (due to space constraints and ats is small for my systems). It is something I already had. If I had to do it from scratch, I would use the large version of what you are using, as it costs the same as the small biopellet reactor I am using.

 

[wildman926]

So I found a large 6" X 24" PVC tube that t I will slide the aquamaxx into to trying to isolate there light from escaping. Will see Howe this diy turns out once all parts arrive.

Preventing light from escaping is mainly for aesthetic reasons. It may help, if you are using very weak lighting. I have found when I do a clean out of the reactor, the chaeto that is near the leds are "burnt". Here is a pic of that -

 

[oseymour]

The light escaping actually serves as a night light for the kids so it wasn't a problem for me. I also noticed the "burned" areas on the cheato.

Preventing light from escaping is mainly for aesthetic reasons. It may help, if you are using very weak lighting. I have found when I do a clean out of the reactor, the chaeto that is near the leds are "burnt". Here is a pic of that -

 

[roberthu526]

I don't know what it is but I want to take a bite on the chaeto. It just looks so delicious...


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[fishsuse29]

How does this compare growth wise to using a traditional fuge setup were you have a ball of cheato and lighting above it?

 

[gus6464]

This is my DIY unit in my system. I think I love it more for it's ability to grow pods like no other than for nutrient reduction haha.

 

[kaz1961]

Do you run the lights and pump 24/7 or do you run it only opposite the tank lights like a refugium?

 

[wildman926]

Do you run the lights and pump 24/7 or do you run it only opposite the tank lights like a refugium?

I run my lights at the same time as the main lights are on, just for convenience sake. By doing so, growth is limited, but still compliments my ATS. It seems to work, so I will leave it.

 

[oseymour]

This is my DIY unit in my system. I think I love it more for it's ability to grow pods like no other than for nutrient reduction haha.

Do you grow a lot of pods in yours? One of the reasons I haven't done it on my large tank is because I have a small Refugium that grows pods.

Also what light are you using? I don't like the accel aquatics light that MarineDepot is selling.


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