Algae Scrubber Basics

[BluScrnOdeth]

the stuff on the sidewalls i dont like too much but the fish seem to like to eat it (some) and so do the snails and my urchin

 

[bucks448]

the stuff on the sidewalls i dont like too much but the fish seem to like to eat it (some) and so do the snails and my urchin

The urchin will strip-mine your coraline algae. Well, I don't know if just one will be able to, but I had 4 or 5 I collected once and it didn't take them long.

 

[BluScrnOdeth]

The urchin will strip-mine your coraline algae. Well, I don't know if just one will be able to, but I had 4 or 5 I collected once and it didn't take them long.

yeah, mine does a pretty good job at it but there's too much for just him. He tends to cling on the sidewalls more than he does on the rocks so it gives the rocks plenty of time to build up some before he makes his rounds. lol

But once my algae scrubber gets back up to 100%, all that algae on the side walls will be gone.

 

[bucks448]

Gonna go with a receptical that overflows into the main display tank. That should shut the thing up! Thanks all.

If it doesn't, run two small drains from your scrubber, one should be a little higher inside your scrubber, and on the lower one add a valve so you can dial the flow back to a full siphon (no air, no bubbles). If the full siphon drain clogs the drain higher up will pick up the slack so the scrubber doesn't overflow. It also adds a warning...if you see bubbles in the display coming from the higher drain, you know your primary (full siphon) drain is clogged.

This design means you need a couple of inches of water in the scrubber or the full siphon will constantly gurgle and create bubbles in your display.

 

[jeremy-40]

here are some more pics of my scrubber build!!!!

Picture descriptions:
1. Plastic tote from wal-mart used to support ATS and minimize splashing.
2. Some left over acrylic I had laying around. tie strapped to tote for support.
3. Side view of cut out for pipe.
4. Roughed up (cactus like) screen.
5. Installed

 

[rysher]

here are some more pics of my scrubber build!!!!

Picture descriptions:
1. Plastic tote from wal-mart used to support ATS and minimize splashing.
2. Some left over acrylic I had laying around. tie strapped to tote for support.
3. Side view of cut out for pipe.
4. Roughed up (cactus like) screen.
5. Installed

whats the size of your screen?
lights used and kelvin rating?

i'm screwing around with my kelvin rating:sad2:

 

[jeremy-40]

whats the size of your screen?
lights used and kelvin rating?

i'm screwing around with my kelvin rating:sad2:

check out my earlier post on page 14. I was using 2x 65k (23w) and had some issues. I changed to 2 x 27K (40w) and it really made a difference in green growth. I have two screens (single sided/side by side) 9.5 x 10.5 each. Hope this helps.

 

[rysher]

i used the 5k light as well,
seen little growth for 4 days (my tank is cycling so no load)
switched to 27k today.

jury is still out.:spin3:

 

[mrbncal]

here are some more pics of my scrubber build!!!!

Picture descriptions:
1. Plastic tote from wal-mart used to support ATS and minimize splashing.
2. Some left over acrylic I had laying around. tie strapped to tote for support.
3. Side view of cut out for pipe.
4. Roughed up (cactus like) screen.
5. Installed

Are you only lighting one side? This is a kewl idea.

 

[mrbncal]

check out my earlier post on page 14. I was using 2x 65k (23w) and had some issues. I changed to 2 x 27K (40w) and it really made a difference in green growth. I have two screens (single sided/side by side) 9.5 x 10.5 each. Hope this helps.

Hey Jeremy is this plumbed into the overflow? Could you show the end of the pipe withthe screen. Did you just cap it or do you have an "emegency" overflow built in.

 

[jeremy-40]

i used the 5k light as well,
seen little growth for 4 days (my tank is cycling so no load)
switched to 27k today.

jury is still out.:spin3:

Stick with the 27k you will get it. It made a huge difference for me.

 

[jeremy-40]

Are you only lighting one side? This is a kewl idea.

YES.... 2 single sided 9.5" x 10.5" screens. All is good so far!!!!

 

[jeremy-40]

Hey Jeremy is this plumbed into the overflow? Could you show the end of the pipe withthe screen. Did you just cap it or do you have an "emegency" overflow built in.

Yes i did use the over flow. The end of the pipe is capped. I don't think it would need the emergency overflow if cleaned every 7 days as prescribed. some people have used them. I guess its just what ever your more comfortable with. I am only 2 weeks into this so i will have to watch it close. You can also make a light shield to keep the algae from growing in the slot.

you cant see the cap but just outside the pic on the right is the cap. thats pretty much a complete pic of plumbing

 

[dogstar74]

If it doesn't, run two small drains from your scrubber, one should be a little higher inside your scrubber, and on the lower one add a valve so you can dial the flow back to a full siphon (no air, no bubbles). If the full siphon drain clogs the drain higher up will pick up the slack so the scrubber doesn't overflow. It also adds a warning...if you see bubbles in the display coming from the higher drain, you know your primary (full siphon) drain is clogged.

This design means you need a couple of inches of water in the scrubber or the full siphon will constantly gurgle and create bubbles in your display.

I know herbie is a safe bet but when your chamber is only a listerine bottle, there's not a lot of room for two pipes with valves and all the rest of it. Keep in mind the whole thing fits in a 1 gallon pitcher.

 

[srusso]

Well as the title says, this is my first attempt after researching scrubbers for over a month. I am now 2 weeks into this!!! My tank is roughly 100 gallons. My scrubber is an in sump, single sided design and consist of two separate screens, each 9 1/2 X 10 1/2. My first week I was using 2 x 23w CFL (65K) bulbs and had lots of what looked like cyano growth, it also spread all over my sump. I replaced the bulbs to 2 x 40w CFL (27K) on the second week and all cyano has disappeared and the green growth really exploded!!!!!!

The first pic is day 1, installed and working!!!!
Two and Three are before week 1 cleaning, notice the cyano.
Pic four is before week 2 cleaning, really starting to green up!!!
The last is after week 2 cleaning and reinstalled.

Any advise would greatly be appreciated. This is my first time and I believe it is working pretty good this far, but I am always open to suggestions.

This is a good build, and will serve you well as long as your lights are 4" away from your scrubber will be golden! Or Green!! LOL Nice work!!

 

[bucks448]

I know herbie is a safe bet but when your chamber is only a listerine bottle, there's not a lot of room for two pipes with valves and all the rest of it. Keep in mind the whole thing fits in a 1 gallon pitcher.

I was think you may be able to get away with the semi-ridged PEX pipe and a valve, but in photos its hard to tell.

 

[dogstar74]

I'm not sure how to quote a post from another thread to this thread with the pictures, but here's the solution to the bubble problem I had with my ten gallon ATS.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showpost.php?p=18405866&postcount=16

 

[acts4me]

How quick should I see algae on my screen? I think I have only been in operation for like 41 hours and I see algae starting. Tried to get a picture but it is too bright in there LOL.

 

[rysher]

How quick should I see algae on my screen? I think I have only been in operation for like 41 hours and I see algae starting. Tried to get a picture but it is too bright in there LOL.

where are you in cfl?

 

[jeremy-40]

This is a good build, and will serve you well as long as your lights are 4" away from your scrubber will be golden! Or Green!! LOL Nice work!!

Thanks!!!!! The lights are my only concern right now. They are not directly in front of the screen, they are more toward the top and angled down toward the screens. So in some places the lights are 4" away and others are about 6". I have plenty of room under my tank but can't figure out a way to drop the lights down lower to be more uniform. Any advise or pics from anyone would be appreciated.