Floyd R Turbo
Either busy or sleeping
Hey thanks, I need to incorporate that into the summary. You just saved me having to look for it.
Algae Scrubber Basics
- Thread starter srusso
- Start date
der_wille_zur_macht
Team RC
I have a similar jig but it's made from 2x4 screwed to plywood, and there's a "fence" on one side to run a circular saw along. You can adjust the width by changing blades or multiple passes. It takes about 10 seconds and the slot is always dead straight and even. I really cringe at the thought that some people are using a dremel to do this! If you don't have a saw or router or the means to make a jig, enlist a handy friend!
Pardon me, I haven't been keeping up with this thread! Someone is designing a new version?
Floyd R Turbo
Either busy or sleeping
Yes, the guy who originally came up with this version is working on the next one, but he's patenting and licensing it. He's also keeping it secret until that's done.
Is there going to be a factory made version? or is it still DIY?
Floyd R Turbo
Either busy or sleeping
There will supposedly be a DIY version that is very, very easy to make, but not very "presentable". A nice clean looking version, like made from acrylic or injection molded plastic, will not be very DIYable as it will supposedly take some skill to manufacture. I don't know, that's just what I've been told from incessantly pestering him with questions for the last 6 months.
Floyd R Turbo
Either busy or sleeping
Good question. I wish I knew.
JeffBoyRD
Member
Finally got my ATS running last weekend. It has been a week and I am not sure if things are where they should be. Please take a look and provide any comments you can. Thanks. The first couple days I had to crank my supply pump back since my 2 3/4" bulkheads couldn't handle the demand. I quickly added a third one and all is good now. Eventually want to replace with 1" bulkheads. Anyone DIY bulkheads before?
3 days
5 days
7 days
It's been a few more days and my growth is still about the same and brown. Going to clean off tonight, but can anyone confirm if this is somewhat normal growth, or if there is anything that stands out that I should change? Thanks.
Floyd R Turbo
Either busy or sleeping
Just went back a couple weeks and noticed I didn't respond about your growth. It looks par for the course for a new scrubber. That's a pretty big screen though, have you checked the new feeding-based sizing guideline?
As far as cleaning goes, you could probably do a very light cleaning. But, it also doesn't look like the growth is very dark and certainly not blocking the light to the lower layers, so you probably could let it go 14 days (you started it on the 4th or 5th, right?)
Scaling the screen size back and using the same # of lights and you'll probably go to green a lot faster. Check post 2723
As far as cleaning goes, you could probably do a very light cleaning. But, it also doesn't look like the growth is very dark and certainly not blocking the light to the lower layers, so you probably could let it go 14 days (you started it on the 4th or 5th, right?)
Scaling the screen size back and using the same # of lights and you'll probably go to green a lot faster. Check post 2723
JohnnyB in SD
New member
My first build was a CFL tub setup just like that, got decent results with the lights closer to the screen.
Hey, so I am getting nice thick growth, and everything looks very happy in my tank. I just don't really like my build. I was thinking of doing the led route but I think I read earlier that srusso said something about new plans being released, do we know when about that might happen? I just built this last one around my skimmer because I wasn't 100% about it but now I will be taking that out this weekend.
Floyd R Turbo
Either busy or sleeping
First release of the DIY nano version is probably around April
hi all,
i dont know if this has been asked but, which is better a fuge or a algae scrubber
just wondering for my tank
thanks
it depends on your viewpoint. my point of view is that an algae scrubber and a refugium are just different applications of the same principle. The difference is laminar flow and the boundary layer. Algaes grow by nutrient exchange at the boundary layer (google "boundary layer"). The Algae Scrubber just works that much more efficiently because of the thin, fast, laminar flow. Also the light is closer, more evenly distributed, and has nearly zero water to penetrate. Thus higher nutrient exchance, faster growing algae, better filtration.
Incidentally, if you take an enclosed box like some algae scrubbers use, and modify it to shower a ball or chaeto, you will see growth unlike you ever thought you could get.
JohnnyB in SD
New member
hi all,
i dont know if this has been asked but, which is better a fuge or a algae scrubber
just wondering for my tank
thanks
Like most choices in this hobby is up to the individual, as long as results are satisfactory for the livestock.
If you're keeping your Nitrates & Phosphate at undetectable levels with a fuge and you really like it, then...
For me, it was a real struggle maintaining water quality with a fuge: starving my fish, super skimming, massive weekly water changes - just to keep Nitrates near 20ppm and Phosphate under 1.0
That all went away with an ATS, the hobby is much more enjoyable and not a huge chore.
I suppose if I had room for a fuge the size of my display tank it might have worked better.
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JeffBoyRD
Member
Thanks Floyd. FYI - I never stated what sizes or anything, my bad. I did look back at that post, I must have missed it before now I understand a little more what people are saying in reference to feeding. Does this equation somewhat equate to bioload of the fish? I don't know how much I feed in comparison to your chart, I will have to weigh what I place in the tank. I typically feed Spectrum pellets, almost exclusively, except for Nori. I would like to make some frozen food, just haven't gotten to it yet.
My screen is 13x10 with 4 23 watt CFL bulbs. They are placed approximately 4.5 to 5 inches from the screen. Also, the lights are on a cycle of 6 hours on 2 hours off.
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JeffBoyRD
Member
How close Johnny? Mine are about 4.5 to 5 inches away. Thanks for the info. Any pictures of that build and growth?
percula99
New member
Thanks for the advice guys. I have cut a new slot and I am very happy with the result. I now have a very nice even water fall across the entire screen. I practiced on several scrap pieces until I felt I had the process down, but I still ruined two good pieces before finally succeeding on the third. I made the cuts on my table saw. The slot is 1/8 inch as instructed and just a touch longer than the screen. Check out the video below for a comparison from the first attempt. I cleaned the screen again and I will see how long it takes now to grow algae. I realize I should have stronger light and Trueperc and I are planning a new scrubber design with LEDs once the new guidelines are released.
<embed width="600" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullscreen="true" allowNetworking="all" wmode="transparent" src="http://static.photobucket.com/player.swf" flashvars="file=http%3A%2F%2Fvid30.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fc346%2Fpercula99%2FMVI_2465.mp4">
Floyd R Turbo
Either busy or sleeping
1 frozen cube
10 pinches of flake food
10 square inches (60 sq cm) of nori
0.1 dry ounce (2.8 grams) of pellet food
3.25 mL of liquid coral food
12 sq in lit on both side per cube per day. So you have 130 sq in or a 10+ cube/day scrubber, but you're a little under lit too.
Sounds like you could probably cut your screen way, way down though. You will get more green growth which filters better. Go with 2W total light per square inch and cut the photoperiod in half. So if you make the screen 24 sq in, put one 23w CFL on each side, then you have a 2 cube/day scrubber.
Bio-load is directly proportional to feeding. That is why this works. It doesn't matter how many fish or corals you have, all that matters is how much you feed[/] them
Awesome!
For LEDs if you are going to DIY them, use 660nm Deep Reds, you can get them from Rapid (Osram). Go with 1 3W 660nm on each side per 12 square inches of screen, roughly.
You have to chat with them and then they send you an invoice via e-mail. Ordering anything from China is a fun ride. Google "e-Shine: you get what you pay for"
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