Algae Scrubber Basics
- Thread starter srusso
- Start date
Nice set up.You could put it to the side and use a small pump to return water to your tank; build it next to your sump and design so that if it overflows (eg the pump quits) that there is an overflow path into your sump. Using an external pump with a valve would allow servicing without draining should the pump die on you...
My problem is that I didn't leave any room in my stand and if I do a build, I will have to shoehorn it in, possible with a pump as I describe above.
My problem is that I didn't leave any room in my stand and if I do a build, I will have to shoehorn it in, possible with a pump as I describe above.
importspeedman
New member
Aaron, that is an awesome design. If i can incorporate this somehow (with mods to the design), I should be able to use (6) 42 watt bulbs. I may make two boxes for each screen, one box to go around the whole design, then cover that surrounding box in mylar. You think this might work?
Only thing I am bummed about with this design is the non use of t5ho. But I suppose i could do this now and try a new design later.
Cats are not a problem they help me with my water changes. lol.
Only thing I am bummed about with this design is the non use of t5ho. But I suppose i could do this now and try a new design later.
Cats are not a problem they help me with my water changes. lol.
importspeedman
New member
Oh second thought, I dont like the electricity usage. I would like to keep this below 175watts (I know needy needy). But you did spark an idea in my mind.
I will make an acrylic box to sit on top of my sump lengh wise, have the box drop into my sump maybe 5 inches and use 6 24watt t6ho's. I will make a bracket for the t5's to keep them form falling into the watter. All i should have to do at this point is lower my max watter level maybe 3 inches.
Do you see any flaws in this?
I will make an acrylic box to sit on top of my sump lengh wise, have the box drop into my sump maybe 5 inches and use 6 24watt t6ho's. I will make a bracket for the t5's to keep them form falling into the watter. All i should have to do at this point is lower my max watter level maybe 3 inches.
Do you see any flaws in this?
Swanwillow
goby girl
Try a 45* angle. Treat it as a go-between of vertical and horizontal-make it as big as you can! :rollface:
salty joe
Active member
I agree, please let us know!
srusso
Active member
Can't be done, a scrubber even at a 45* angle is considered a horizontal scrubber. Reason being that water will not flow down the underside, making it single sided scrubber. Effectively making it double the size as well...
dogstar74
Premium Member
I worry about having to drop the water level. The sump will take in a surprising amount of water when there is a power failure. I'd hate to see your electricals underwater when the sump took all that water in. Then when the power kicked back on. BOOM! Just be sure you check everything first.
dogstar74
Premium Member
Actually the 60 watt cfl use only 23 watts of electricity. So with 9 bulbs you'd be about 207 watts. So it's not really too far off your 175 watt mark. Just a thought.
importspeedman
New member
When the power turns off the watter level rises 1.5 inches
King_Richard
New member
importspeedman,
How big is your overflow box? You could put a screen in the box where the water overflows for a one sided screen to start with.
How big is your overflow box? You could put a screen in the box where the water overflows for a one sided screen to start with.
importspeedman
New member
importspeedman
New member
sadly that will not work out. The overflow is 12X4X29, but It has beananimal plumbing. Good idea though. Thank you
dogstar74
Premium Member
Alright Srusso, and Floyd, I have a question that I can't find an answer for.
The NOISE is killing me. I have a 10 gallon as depicted in the many pictures of my Scrubber. I am feeding this with a MJ 1200. The screen size is 3"x5" so I'm over sized with that.
So to quiet this down, I have a couple thoughts. First and easiest is to reduce the size of the pump supplying the scrubber. I have an MJ 400 that would do nicely.
Another thought would require a complete re-design. It would require raising the water level in the scrubbing chamber up so that there was no falling water sound.
Now I am hoping the first option will suffice, as it's cheap and easy. But the second option raises some questions. I know Floyd has been striving for a 3D scrubber to allow longer contact times, and avoid the die off that can occur. If I re-design so the screen was submerged fully that would approximate the 3d model that floyd is going for. So my question at long last is, does there have to be an oxygen interface with the turf algae? In other words, can the turf be completely submerged all the time, or does it need to be exposed to the air for gas exhange etc?
I'll try to draw up a schematic tonight to help describe what I'm talking about. But if you can answer those questions from the info given I'd be appreciative.
Aaron
The NOISE is killing me. I have a 10 gallon as depicted in the many pictures of my Scrubber. I am feeding this with a MJ 1200. The screen size is 3"x5" so I'm over sized with that.
So to quiet this down, I have a couple thoughts. First and easiest is to reduce the size of the pump supplying the scrubber. I have an MJ 400 that would do nicely.
Another thought would require a complete re-design. It would require raising the water level in the scrubbing chamber up so that there was no falling water sound.
Now I am hoping the first option will suffice, as it's cheap and easy. But the second option raises some questions. I know Floyd has been striving for a 3D scrubber to allow longer contact times, and avoid the die off that can occur. If I re-design so the screen was submerged fully that would approximate the 3d model that floyd is going for. So my question at long last is, does there have to be an oxygen interface with the turf algae? In other words, can the turf be completely submerged all the time, or does it need to be exposed to the air for gas exhange etc?
I'll try to draw up a schematic tonight to help describe what I'm talking about. But if you can answer those questions from the info given I'd be appreciative.
Aaron
BluScrnOdeth
Darin Schmidt
60w CFLs use 14w of energy:
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053
100w CFLs use 23w:
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053
so 9 60w CFLs would be 126, less than his 175 watt mark.
mrbncal
New member
Rule of thumb on flow rate is 35 gph/ inch of screen width. So for a 3" screen you would need a pump that gives you 105 gph (at the screen, remember to calculate for head loss) So the MJ400 should be fine on teh 3" one.
5" screen would need 175 gph
BluScrnOdeth
Darin Schmidt
What noise are you getting, like a squirting noise? or a sloshing noise? do you have any pictures? Getting your screen to 35gph (as close to within 10gph) and as long as your slit is 1/8" wide, you shouldnt have much of an issue. A couple times a week i have to clean the screen right next to the slit because algae grows up there causing waterfalls. But as soon as i can get some freetime to get that taken care of i wont have to worry about it.
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