Algae Scrubber Basics
- Thread starter srusso
- Start date
JohnnyB in SD
New member
I took that one apart last fall & built an enclosed T5 unit like Floyds, so can't do pics.
But I'd say 2"-3" away from screen is where I had them. Close as you can with out melting the splash shield you probably have between them & the screen.
JohnnyB in SD
New member
I'm considering DIYing some LEDs for a new build 16" x 8"or10" screen, mostly cause the commercial units seem to be 12x12. Am thinking use a large amount of low wattage emitters as close to screen as possible, based on what I've been reading from users who've posted their experiences.
Anyone have some input on this?
Anyone have some input on this?
Floyd R Turbo
Either busy or sleeping
e-Shine seems to be a decent fixture but time will tell. You just have to know how to deal with them that's all. PITA ordering anything from China but it always has been
Floyd R Turbo
Either busy or sleeping
Unless you're feeding 10 cubes a day there's no need for a screen that large. But don't go less that a 1W LED array, anything else is no good. 1W is good because you can put them very close to the screen and get good coverage and growth
JohnnyB in SD
New member
I don't think anyone can say they consistently grow nice thick green turf algae?
It's been mentioned before: We strive for this type of algae cause it has the best filtering capacity, is easy to clean, and looks cool. But if you have high water quality with whatever algae is growing on the screen and your display is free of nuisance algae, then there's really no problem to loose sleep over.
But many of us have a need to tinker with things until we achieve perfection. So it doesn't hurt to tweak flow, lighting, etc based on what the algae type is telling you - dark & slimy, light & thin, blah blah blah.
It's been mentioned before: We strive for this type of algae cause it has the best filtering capacity, is easy to clean, and looks cool. But if you have high water quality with whatever algae is growing on the screen and your display is free of nuisance algae, then there's really no problem to loose sleep over.
But many of us have a need to tinker with things until we achieve perfection. So it doesn't hurt to tweak flow, lighting, etc based on what the algae type is telling you - dark & slimy, light & thin, blah blah blah.
percula99
New member
TruePerc and I already have 3 - 60W CREE LED fixtures over our tanks from EShine and really like them. I dealt with a guy named Robin and he has been fantastic. I send him plenty of emails and he always answers them promptly. I beleive you have to order through a re-seller in the US but I live in Canada and have bought directly. I want to use 2 of their ES-50W-3GB fixtures in my new scrubber design. It has 50 - 1W LEDs (45 X 600NM and 5 X 455NM). The dimensions are 18.9 X 3.15 X 2.75 and sells for US$68.
Floyd R Turbo
Either busy or sleeping
No, you order direct in the US also. I dealt with a guy named Peter (Peter Pan, I might add) and e-mail response is prompt (factor in time diff) but the language barrier is horrible.
If you just get a stock fixture, no problem. If you want to be able to daisy chain the fixtures together, that's extra. Only one of the two fixtures has to have a second connector added, and you need the interconnection cable. I was told it was $4 for both but that could be wrong (because I chewed him out after the fact)
Other than that, request DHL shipping vs FedEx (less) and remember stock fixtures are white, you have to request black.
If you just get a stock fixture, no problem. If you want to be able to daisy chain the fixtures together, that's extra. Only one of the two fixtures has to have a second connector added, and you need the interconnection cable. I was told it was $4 for both but that could be wrong (because I chewed him out after the fact)
Other than that, request DHL shipping vs FedEx (less) and remember stock fixtures are white, you have to request black.
percula99
New member
If you deal with EShine again contact Robin, his English is very good. There is no language barrier with him.
They shipped six fixtures to us and the total brokerage fee through DHL was only $7.90. No matter the cost or the size of the shipment it is only $7.90. UPS and FedEx will cost much more. And it got here in four days.
They shipped six fixtures to us and the total brokerage fee through DHL was only $7.90. No matter the cost or the size of the shipment it is only $7.90. UPS and FedEx will cost much more. And it got here in four days.
srusso
Active member
Floyd R Turbo
Either busy or sleeping
Yeah I asked someone else...it wasn't!
Floyd R Turbo
Either busy or sleeping
:thumbsup:
It helps to use a cutting board and a plastic pot scraper like these
https://www.pamperedchef.com/ordering/prod_details.tpc?prodId=241&catId=9
It helps to use a cutting board and a plastic pot scraper like these
https://www.pamperedchef.com/ordering/prod_details.tpc?prodId=241&catId=9
srusso
Active member
You wont regret getting one, love my apex.
Floyd R Turbo
Either busy or sleeping
13 page updated summary will be posted following this message. Please try not to post for the next 10 minutes. I'm going to bump 2 more posts to get it to start on an even number...
Floyd R Turbo
Either busy or sleeping
3248
Floyd R Turbo
Either busy or sleeping
3249...here we go!
Floyd R Turbo
Either busy or sleeping
oops 3250...3251 will be the first post
DANG IT I deleted this post so I could re-post it as 3251 and it says it's a duplicate and I have to wait 5 minutes. So still DON'T POST please!
DANG IT I deleted this post so I could re-post it as 3251 and it says it's a duplicate and I have to wait 5 minutes. So still DON'T POST please!
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