Algae Scrubber Basics
- Thread starter srusso
- Start date
mtrcyclefish
New member
22 cubes a day in a 90?! Is that a typo?
Dustin1300
Reefaholic
If that is right that is crazy! No wonder he's so into an ats. He spent all his money on fish/coral food!
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redneckgearhead
Active member
Ok guys, a few months back I moved my CFL's closer to my screen and put them on short intervals of light like 2 hours on 2 off (Ive adjusted them since so that might not be exactly the time, but you get the point) my goal was to get my lights closer and get green growth. Well IMO it worked, I am getting good growth weekly and 0's across the board on my trates,phates. BUT I have noticed one draw back of doing this. My bulbs last a month to 6 weeks at best before I notice a drop off in growth. I don't mind the trade off but wanted to give a heads up to anyone interested.
ChrisSugdinis
New member
Ping!
Floyd R Turbo
Either busy or sleeping
What's up Chris!
srusso
Active member
The new algae scrubber plans are now available.
It is known as the "Upflow Algae Scrubber" or UAS.
It should be stated, this design is not proven and has not had the same extensive testing the waterfall has had.
Does not have clear sizing, feeding or lighting specs, although we believe it will mimic the current design. (so we are going off that to start)
This new design is the opposite of the current algae scrubber. Submerged under the water, using air bubbles to move flow up and deliver CO2 to the algae.
The most basic way to set up an Upflow Algae Scrubber, is just to put some air bubbles beneath a vertical screen. Don't forget to rough up the screen, lighting yata yata yata... whats really changed here to the delivery method. But that kind of changes everything...
If you want to join all of us crazy scrubber people and test this new method, please post and share.
Happy Scrubbing!
It is known as the "Upflow Algae Scrubber" or UAS.
It should be stated, this design is not proven and has not had the same extensive testing the waterfall has had.
Does not have clear sizing, feeding or lighting specs, although we believe it will mimic the current design. (so we are going off that to start)
This new design is the opposite of the current algae scrubber. Submerged under the water, using air bubbles to move flow up and deliver CO2 to the algae.
The most basic way to set up an Upflow Algae Scrubber, is just to put some air bubbles beneath a vertical screen. Don't forget to rough up the screen, lighting yata yata yata... whats really changed here to the delivery method. But that kind of changes everything...
If you want to join all of us crazy scrubber people and test this new method, please post and share.
Happy Scrubbing!
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srusso
Active member
This design addresses a few issues the waterfall has,
Space to build a waterfall is an issue for many, this is fixed with the UAS.
Slot tubes are hard for many people to build.
The waterfall design needed a sump to work in most tanks. (sore point for people with nano tanks)
The new design has some issues...
air pumps suck....
so do air stones...
Venturi pumps may help...
Space to build a waterfall is an issue for many, this is fixed with the UAS.
Slot tubes are hard for many people to build.
The waterfall design needed a sump to work in most tanks. (sore point for people with nano tanks)
The new design has some issues...
air pumps suck....
so do air stones...
Venturi pumps may help...
srusso
Active member
My test UAS
Day1
Went to the local chain picked up an anchor bubbler.... $6.59... I know big spender!!! right??!! could have gotten the $1.59 stone, no no not for my UAS test!!!
The funniest thing was buying something called "anchor" and having it float like a champ! LOL
just testing it in the water now, and I think I may have found the best one for the job!!!
Nice perfect even controlled bubbles, in a perfect line!!! Off to go make a screen!!!
Day1
Went to the local chain picked up an anchor bubbler.... $6.59... I know big spender!!! right??!! could have gotten the $1.59 stone, no no not for my UAS test!!!
The funniest thing was buying something called "anchor" and having it float like a champ! LOL
just testing it in the water now, and I think I may have found the best one for the job!!!
Nice perfect even controlled bubbles, in a perfect line!!! Off to go make a screen!!!
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srusso
Active member
Day 4
No bio load, buying fish on my drive home tonight.
Diatom growth doubled today when I got home, see third pic.
Got three mollies today, two female and one male. Started converting them to SW, the tank is 1.010 so brackish really... That will be slowly upped during the weeks.
No bio load, buying fish on my drive home tonight.
Diatom growth doubled today when I got home, see third pic.
Got three mollies today, two female and one male. Started converting them to SW, the tank is 1.010 so brackish really... That will be slowly upped during the weeks.
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srusso
Active member
Day 7
You think I should clean? I am thinking about just leaving it... the green will grow through or on the diatoms is my thinking.
As we all thought, algae is growing on the air stone. Maybe needs a light blocker? Much like the waterfall slot designs benefits from...
As with the waterfall, I think its safe to say it can take up to 4 weeks for green growth.
You think I should clean? I am thinking about just leaving it... the green will grow through or on the diatoms is my thinking.
As we all thought, algae is growing on the air stone. Maybe needs a light blocker? Much like the waterfall slot designs benefits from...
As with the waterfall, I think its safe to say it can take up to 4 weeks for green growth.
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srusso
Active member
EASY OFF HOOKS!!
So my latest addition are what I am calling the easy off hooks!!
Here is a video of it in action...
<object width="640" height="360"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/PyrN7VJNGE4?version=3&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/PyrN7VJNGE4?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="640" height="360" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object>
Made from a mold-able plastic, it becomes soft when put in hot water, cold hardens it. But I think it could just be cut right out of acrylic also....
So my latest addition are what I am calling the easy off hooks!!
Here is a video of it in action...
<object width="640" height="360"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/PyrN7VJNGE4?version=3&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/PyrN7VJNGE4?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="640" height="360" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object>
Made from a mold-able plastic, it becomes soft when put in hot water, cold hardens it. But I think it could just be cut right out of acrylic also....
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Dustin1300
Reefaholic
Interesting new design! Major concern is the placement of lights. Can they be mounted from the top?
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Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2
srusso
Active member
Day 14
Green hair growing on glass in front of screen in two spots. Green will be growing on the screen soon, I can tell. I am inclined to let it grow and not mess with it.... The fish are keeping the diatoms to a minimum. I can see the little bit of green hair growing on the glass just in front of the light. I dont think the fish can see it! lol too bright!!
(Pic taken before I added my easy off hooks)
Green hair growing on glass in front of screen in two spots. Green will be growing on the screen soon, I can tell. I am inclined to let it grow and not mess with it.... The fish are keeping the diatoms to a minimum. I can see the little bit of green hair growing on the glass just in front of the light. I dont think the fish can see it! lol too bright!!
(Pic taken before I added my easy off hooks)
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