Algae Scrubber Basics

[salty joe]

I've got a 700gph glass holes overflow on order. I plan to push about 500gph though it, and the screen is 7" wide. That's about 70gph/in, about double what is recommended. The screen has matured to the point where it's producing green hair algae, so I won't have the nasty black stuff detaching.

Should I be ok with this much flow? I assuming I'll have to widen the slot to reduce noise.

Who knows, with this kind of flow you may be able to put the lights much closer without cooking the algae, which would save on the energy cost of lighting. Question is, would that energy savings be more than offset by the increased energy cost of pushing more water through the filter. Let us know how it goes.

 

[SPotter]

I sure appreciate these guys that are spending the resources to develop LEDs for ATS. Hope it leads to something worthwhile.

I have been trying to piece it together...I had picked up a couple of used drivers when I was going to switch to LED's and decided not to do that so I decided to put them to use. I am about 2 months away from setting up a much larger tank and will definitely build another ATS but not sure if it it will be LED, CFL or T5's. I have been making a lot of notes on the changes I will make for what will hopefully be my third and final version.

 

[JohnnyB in SD]

anybody try out one of these? http://www.atlantalightbulbs.com/ecart/nw012104/28968RPTCP.htm
things freakin' huge compared to other sprial cf bulbs, I'm racking my brain now trying to think how i can diy a decent enough reflector around it.

Is that thing almost $30 each?
Yikes. I can replace 4 @ T5's for 6 months at that cost, and less total wattage than two of those.
I've used spiral CFL's, am switching over to T5's for more light and less heat.

 

[Floyd R Turbo]

Is that thing almost $30 each?
Yikes. I can replace 4 @ T5's for 6 months at that cost, and less total wattage than two of those.
I've used spiral CFL's, am switching over to T5's for more light and less heat.

Those would need a good reflector and higher flow to be close to the screen, but you could probably run them for 1/2 to 1/3 the hours, up to the point of growing yellow algae (see my post on that).

These would probably be good only for specific setups.

 

[Floyd R Turbo]

Hey just a reminder, if anyone is coming to Des Moines this weekend for MACNA, I'll be there all weekend and will be wearing a green GIRS "staff" shirt (working the event). I'm helping move in/set up all day tomorrow, then will be walking the floor and attending as many speakers as I can. I'll have my name (Bud) and handle (I think you can figure that one out) on my nametag.

 

[papagimp]

Is that thing almost $30 each?
Yikes. I can replace 4 @ T5's for 6 months at that cost, and less total wattage than two of those.
I've used spiral CFL's, am switching over to T5's for more light and less heat.

that site sells them for $30ish but Home Depot actually had them for $14ish, I just googled a quick link to show the specs I was looking at on it.

 

[JohnnyB in SD]

Hey just a reminder, if anyone is coming to Des Moines this weekend for MACNA, I'll be there all weekend and will be wearing a green GIRS "staff" shirt (working the event). I'm helping move in/set up all day tomorrow, then will be walking the floor and attending as many speakers as I can. I'll have my name (Bud) and handle (I think you can figure that one out) on my nametag.

And here I thought your name was really Floyd.
Wish I could be there.

 

[rysher]

SPotter, how far is the LED from the screen?
are you growing gha?

 

[SPotter]

SPotter, how far is the LED from the screen?
are you growing gha?

I have been playing with the distance and they are about 3" from the screen. No gha growing. This weeks growth looks to be the best week yet and I will take pictures on Friday when I clean the screen.

 

[Rabidgoose]

I'm going to start getting stuff around, does this sound good. I figure about 110 gallons display after displacement.

14" x 9" screen
just under 500 gph
4 lights w/reflectors (23w CFL bulbs)

The lights are my main concern, I will have to bend the reflectors at least a little I think for better coverage but does that seem like enough light?

thanks..........chuck

 

[srusso]

I'm going to start getting stuff around, does this sound good. I figure about 110 gallons display after displacement.

14" x 9" screen
just under 500 gph
4 lights w/reflectors (23w CFL bulbs)

The lights are my main concern, I will have to bend the reflectors at least a little I think for better coverage but does that seem like enough light?

thanks..........chuck

For a tank that size I recommend using T5. What type of space do you have for it? Can you post some pics and measurements of sump area?

 

[tyler91913]

anybody try out one of these? http://www.atlantalightbulbs.com/ecart/nw012104/28968RPTCP.htm
things freakin' huge compared to other sprial cf bulbs, I'm racking my brain now trying to think how i can diy a decent enough reflector around it.

I know, I saw this at HD and thought it was a box of lights. Nope. Just one huge CFL.

I thought you were referring to buying one of those seeded screens from, I believe, Inland Aquatics. Rubbing algae instead can't hurt.

I roughed my whole screen up but the bottom couple of inches submerged in water doesn't really grow anything.

Right. No, I'm not going to buy a seeded screen. It's day three for me, and I've got color on the screen, so I guess we're on the right track...

 

[reefkeeper78]

So at this point I'm trying to get my info straight so that if I get time this weekend I can build one of these. Right now I have a refugium and a skimmer in my sump. does the scrubber go before all of this, in the middle or after? by the way all my tests show no N or P but I have some redish brown crud on the sand that just won't go away, will this help reduce this or am I missing something here? thanks

 

[papagimp]

I know, I saw this at HD and thought it was a box of lights. Nope. Just one huge CFL.

that's what I thought at first too! lol

found an old metal halide reflector and sortof... set it near the bulb lol

at the bare minimum, it lights up the rest of my refugium now

 

[rysher]

becareful with that thing it might burn everything!
LOL

 

[JohnnyB in SD]

After seeing that monster in your hand, now I can that thing is WAY bigger than I imagined.
CFL's created way too much heat for me. Of course they weren't ventilated..

 

[Rabidgoose]

For a tank that size I recommend using T5. What type of space do you have for it? Can you post some pics and measurements of sump area?

I have quite a bit of room. I will be putting it over a tank behind my sump, it was a frag tank that has of late been just a holding tank for live rock. So I will say 36" x 18" I am really trying to keep cost down so instead of T5 (I would have to purchase) is their some other set up option that will make the clip lights more efficient? Different screen size or number of lights?

thanks.......chuck

 

[papagimp]

After seeing that monster in your hand, now I can that thing is WAY bigger than I imagined.
CFL's created way too much heat for me. Of course they weren't ventilated..

This has been a concern of mine even before I decided to add the ats, i'm thinking of mounting some fans down their but still trying to find a way to make it look nicer while at the same time functional. I'm being pickier than usual on this setup lol

 

[TheHoove]

So tomorrow will make 3 weeks on my scrubber. I've been getting a bit of 3d growth, but mostly brown/yellow. I know I'm under powered on light. I have 2 23w in 10" reflectors painted gloss white. But before I change lighting around, How long would be normal before you see good green growth? I also dont think I have much nutrients in my tank. My hair algae problem almost disappeared with a huge rock that I traded back to the pet store. It had come out of someones neglected tank. My screen is 10x10 lit on both sides. 75g display. 300-350gph across the screen. Phosphates and nitrates test at zero. But not sure I trust my kits anymore. Time for new ones.

 

[Floyd R Turbo]

That is totally hilarious. I like others had no idea how big that sucker is.

found an old metal halide reflector and sortof... set it near the bulb lol

Good, nice big reflector. I think it needs to be closer the to lamp so you don't lose the light thrown sideways. As if you NEED to have all that reflected anyways, dang!