Floyd R Turbo
Either busy or sleeping
Dang those are some big air pumps!
Algae Scrubber Basics
- Thread starter srusso
- Start date
Yeah... but I bring it up because I suspect I'm like many aquarium hobbyiests... I've got little air pumps, medium air pumps, and even a large air pump. There always seems to be a need for another pump. And one day as I was contemplating yet another air pump purchase, I just said,
"Buying another cheap air pump is just stupid. Plus these cheap, low end pumps are too noisy. Not to mention less than reliable."
So I did my research, and that's what I found. I got the DAPMH8. So for years now I've had ONE air pump. It's quiet, reliable, and if I ever need more air, I've got plenty to spare.
SantaMonica
Well-known member
I was going to test/list the Jehmco pumps, but they needed to be available on most sites, and preferably in other countries too.
The nice thing about the Fusion 700 is that it can be dialed down to a tiny amount, suitable for the smallest scrubber in a bedroom at night, but can be turned up to supply most of the bigger scrubbers that I've seen built so far. I'm going to try to be a reseller for these pumps.
The nice thing about the Fusion 700 is that it can be dialed down to a tiny amount, suitable for the smallest scrubber in a bedroom at night, but can be turned up to supply most of the bigger scrubbers that I've seen built so far. I'm going to try to be a reseller for these pumps.
_shorty_
New member
design critique
design critique
Since I'm heading back to the waterfall concept, I'm considering design again. Sorry for the semi-crude drawings. They are also not to scale what-so-ever.. just trying to communicate my ideas for purpose of critique. Any feedback is appreciated.
Some key aspects I'm striving for is 1) function. but a close 2nd) ease of use/maintenance.
A couple things to point out: Looking to make the screen as wide as possible/reasonable. Looking to be able to 'tune' the size of my screen by adjust how much of the screen is above water with direct light on it. Size of screen will probably be 9 inches wide and anywhere from 2 to about 8 or 9 inches tall in small increments. This, I believe, would give me capacity adjustment range of 1.5 to 6 cubes of feeding by current standards.
During normal maintenance, I plan to be able to flip a switch to turn off the pump, unscrew union, and simply pull pipe with screen up and out for cleaning. "C" rings hold screen to the pipe, but are outside of the water flow of the ATS. The acrylic shield itself is also simply pulled off its separate base for cleaning when necessary. The shield sits in place via nylon screws that sit down into slots cut into the base. The base mounts between one side and one baffle of the high water level area of the sump. Water is only an inch or so from the top edge of the sump in this area.
What have people found to use for a gasket near the end of the slotted pipe? That's one thing I'm unsure of what to use.
design critique
Since I'm heading back to the waterfall concept, I'm considering design again. Sorry for the semi-crude drawings. They are also not to scale what-so-ever.. just trying to communicate my ideas for purpose of critique. Any feedback is appreciated.
Some key aspects I'm striving for is 1) function. but a close 2nd) ease of use/maintenance.
A couple things to point out: Looking to make the screen as wide as possible/reasonable. Looking to be able to 'tune' the size of my screen by adjust how much of the screen is above water with direct light on it. Size of screen will probably be 9 inches wide and anywhere from 2 to about 8 or 9 inches tall in small increments. This, I believe, would give me capacity adjustment range of 1.5 to 6 cubes of feeding by current standards.
During normal maintenance, I plan to be able to flip a switch to turn off the pump, unscrew union, and simply pull pipe with screen up and out for cleaning. "C" rings hold screen to the pipe, but are outside of the water flow of the ATS. The acrylic shield itself is also simply pulled off its separate base for cleaning when necessary. The shield sits in place via nylon screws that sit down into slots cut into the base. The base mounts between one side and one baffle of the high water level area of the sump. Water is only an inch or so from the top edge of the sump in this area.
What have people found to use for a gasket near the end of the slotted pipe? That's one thing I'm unsure of what to use.
salty joe
Active member
I think O rings have been used at the end of the slotted pipe. I made one awhile ago and just put a bead of slicone on the acrlyc where the slotted pipe rests, then sprayed the pipe with Pam cooking oil and set the pipe in the silicone and let it cure. That's only because I did not feel like chasing down an O ring. It worked well. A half circle was cut out the acrlyc for the pipe to set on.
_shorty_
New member
O ring would be simple enough. I think I know right where they are in the hardware store. Anyone else on ideas? what you wouldn't do, what you'd change, what you'd add? I know in general, these are pretty simple designs, I just wanted some review to see if I'm missing something or not thinking of something right. Hopefully everyone can understand my little diagrams...
Anyone else on ideas? what you wouldn't do, what you'd change, what you'd add? I know in general, these are pretty simple designs, I just wanted some review to see if I'm missing something or not thinking of something right. Hopefully everyone can understand my little diagrams...SantaMonica
Well-known member
Looks like a good standard waterfall. However given the choice, I'd always go for multiple smaller units instead of one larger.
SantaMonica
Well-known member
Have the screen go into the water to keep it quite. Put a splash guard on the pipe. Aim the lights to the middle of the screen, and use reflectors to keep any light from escaping sideways.
Make sure you keep the spray area clean if you are running it off your drain... if it clogs, you can overflow your tank (which is why mine is now on the chiller loop)
_shorty_
New member
What are some bennifets/advantages to multiple smaller units?
SantaMonica
Well-known member
Backup, and continued filtering after a cleaning.
duganderson
Member
5 days ago, I cleaned my screen on my Santa Monica Upflow Algae Scrubber. Since then, I have not been getting very good growth and I'm wondering if I accidentally used too hot or too hold water when cleaning the screen.
Can you accidentally kill the algae on the screen with too hot or too cold water or is the algae pretty tough?
The scrubber has been running pretty well since Jan. 2013
Can you accidentally kill the algae on the screen with too hot or too cold water or is the algae pretty tough?
The scrubber has been running pretty well since Jan. 2013
davidgnome
New member
Does installing a ATS mean you need to feed algae sheets to tank for tangs? Also if a setup at my church has a good bit of live rock and no skimmer and no coral is this ok, or would a ATS help export excess nutrients and make it a better living area for the massive tangs and angels etc they have? thanks If its a 200 gallon system it would need to be 20x20? with what flow and how do you determine the flow over a area that big? If its run off the overflow that is. Just cut a slit in the pvc and install a valve to slow the flow down to the ats? Im just not sure how to achieve this, they really need a low maintence deal and low cost. Any help would be appreciated, wondering if I control flow down to the sump wouldnt that mean I need to slow the turnover rate of the whole system? or does the size of the cut in the pvc just allow only a certain amount of flow, so the rest goes through the hole pvc and down into the sump/not over the ATS?
Floyd R Turbo
Either busy or sleeping
Start with the basics, see the post # in my signature below. Many of your questions might be answered.
Some of your questions beg larger questions, like what is your church doing with a large tank full of big fish with no filtration other than live rock? N and P are going to be through the friggin roof!
Some of your questions beg larger questions, like what is your church doing with a large tank full of big fish with no filtration other than live rock? N and P are going to be through the friggin roof!
_shorty_
New member
Floyd, you might be surprised at the power of prayer
I pray for my tank all the time... LOL. I'm sure there are better things I could be praying for...David, if you are currently letting the tangs eat up any algae that forms in the display tank, there is no nutrient export. The good thing about the scrubber is that most of that algae that grows and 'eats up' those Nitrates and Phosphates is then physically removed from the system. That's why the ATS is effective, through that 'nutrient export'. If you let the fish eat that algae, the nutrients are never removed/exported - they are recycled and the nutrient levels continue to grow.
So, there will need to be some form of food for the fish. However as Floyd already mentioned, you need some form of filtration to manage those Ns and Ps. Scrubber is an inexpensive and effective way at doing this.
SantaMonica
Well-known member
Algae on the screen is pretty tough; hot or cold for a second should not bother it.
igadget56
Member
johnnyb Thanks for the info. I am going to make some but not right now. This is my build so far.
Box 12" x 12" x3.5 Lights 4 26w curly CFL 's.
I cuold not get an even stream water tried this didn't work.
Tried this worked perfect.
This cost $58 Including, including the acrylic.
These are the reflector 8' x 8" x 4". These 12" x 12" mirrors cost $1.25 each, cut.
Top view of reflectors.
Bulbs are 2" from screen. How many hours a day should they be on?
Box 12" x 12" x3.5 Lights 4 26w curly CFL 's.
I cuold not get an even stream water tried this didn't work.
Tried this worked perfect.
This cost $58 Including, including the acrylic.
These are the reflector 8' x 8" x 4". These 12" x 12" mirrors cost $1.25 each, cut.
Top view of reflectors.
Bulbs are 2" from screen. How many hours a day should they be on?
Last edited:
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