spartachris
New member
The algae grows naturally. The type will grow based on nutrients.
Algae Scrubber Basics
- Thread starter srusso
- Start date
Screen is about 8 weeks old I think.
System is not quite 2 years up and running.
Currently only lit from one side.
The entire siphon drain from a OceanRunner 2500 with about 5' head, so Im guessing 300gph-ish.
It could prolly be rougher.
Fixture is one of those aluminum reflector clamp on lights. Bulb is a 23w 6500k spiral CFL. Screen is approx 8x12"
I only have a basic saltwater testing kit: PH, NH3, NO2, and NO3. Only thing out of wack is NO3 at 20 as of last testing.
lokii_37
New member
What size is your screen?
I am using an 8 inch screen. With the over flow from an ocean runner 3500 with about 5 feet of head. I use the same light set up as you except I use the 3500k spiral bulb. I think the "grow" bulbs are about 6700k.
Maybe try getting one of the 3500k bulbs.
_shorty_
New member
From the way it sounds, I'd just give it more time. You nutrients are currently high. Scrubbers seem to get into a sweet spot in lower nutrients, but prior to that, will still pull out the bad stuff. Just be patient. If you are seeing nutrients going down, then the scrubber is doing it's job.
300 gph should provide enough flow for about 10 inches of screen. So if that's the case I don't think you're too far off.
IMO - dual sided is best, as it gets light to the roots from behind and provides less die-off. But, if that's not an option, just make sure you're cleaning regularly. I'd clean on a shorter cycle, like 5 - 7 days; especially focus on cleaning the slotted area and upper area that might block flow.
As far as light - the warmer spectrums are what you want (reason for 'grow' bulbs being red - and the LED builds recommend using 660nm reds as majority of lighting). I believe 6500K is more towards the blue spectrum, and you may want to use 2700K instead if you stick with CFL.
The general consensus is 18 on 6 off. But when its breaking in it may need to be less. I am breaking in a screen now and I had great growth on the outsides and hardly anything in the middle. I gave it 3 weeks to fill in and it did but only a little it turns out. So then I dropped my lights to 4 on 2 off and now the middle is filling in well. When it gets better I'll work my way up to 18/6 again. Anyone else had to adjust the schedule like that?
Floyd R Turbo
Either busy or sleeping
Edginess fixtures are what i used on the first LED scrubber I built. I put them too close and the scrubber took forever to fill in in the middle, even with split photoperiod and diffusers. But the general rule on LEDs is 9 hours/day until screen in cured, otherwise you will cause photo saturation in the little algae that you will initially grow, resulting in very little growth.
Besides that, are you running one or two 20x6 screens? Lit on both sides? Why so large? One of those screens is large enough for 10 cubes/day feeding, are you really feeding that much?
Floyd R Turbo
Either busy or sleeping
LOL not edginess...Eshine
degibson84
New member
cubfanmatt
New member
Help with my Scrubber Build
Help with my Scrubber Build
Here's what I am thinking and have started to build for my 90 which I am feeding 2 cubes a day but also want to feed amino acids.
5 inch wide wide waterfall
Using two of these bulbs.
http://www.htgsupply.com/Product-LED-Spotlight-Bulb-TriBand-Spectrum---ONE
I can use assistance with my screen length if I light it from one side or both.
Also any thoughts on these grow bulbs? Should my flow be around 200 GPH?Should I keep these LEDs 4 inches from the screen? Some of these question will help me decide on lighting my scrubber from one or both sides.
Your help is much appreciated.
Help with my Scrubber Build
Here's what I am thinking and have started to build for my 90 which I am feeding 2 cubes a day but also want to feed amino acids.
5 inch wide wide waterfall
Using two of these bulbs.
http://www.htgsupply.com/Product-LED-Spotlight-Bulb-TriBand-Spectrum---ONE
I can use assistance with my screen length if I light it from one side or both.
Also any thoughts on these grow bulbs? Should my flow be around 200 GPH?Should I keep these LEDs 4 inches from the screen? Some of these question will help me decide on lighting my scrubber from one or both sides.
Your help is much appreciated.
Last edited:
Floyd R Turbo
Either busy or sleeping
These are low-power LEDs and most people that have tried to use these have had moderate success, I have yet to hear from anyone who has had any growth that is comparable to using 3W Deep Reds mounted 2-3" on center. Just not enough "punch". Also the spectrum is a toss-up, they list 645-655 but they are likely grab-bag so you'll get spectrums all over the charts. To get true 660nm you have to go with 3W.
cubfanmatt
New member
Thanks for your quick response! I think i have seen some using these in a 20w.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-10W-20W...t=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item4ac3461aea
Your thoughts or suggestion for a LED that is not on a DIY to use as a light source. Again thank you.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-10W-20W...t=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item4ac3461aea
Your thoughts or suggestion for a LED that is not on a DIY to use as a light source. Again thank you.
Floyd R Turbo
Either busy or sleeping
That one is actually not too bad, seen it used before, but you still can't beat 3W (or 1W) LEDs at 2-3" on center. You know you are getting the right spectrum if you select the proper LEDs, and you get the right dispersion by being able to spread them out.
cubfanmatt
New member
I hear ya about the 3w but, but for now I am thinking the flood lights are my best chance at success. How far from the screen do you suggest I keep these? Now that I have that figured out, would a screen size of 5 (width) to 10 ( length) lit on both sides be acceptable for two cubes a day plus amino acids? Do I understand that I need about 200 GPH over the screen width of 5 inches? Thank you very much.
spamreefnew
New member
how come ALL of the algae scrubber talks always turn into LED talks?? We should be talking more about scrubber functions and scrubber science IMO just sayin
elviraveloz
New member
Maybe one of the most important aspects on algae scrubber not completely covered?
Floyd R Turbo
Either busy or sleeping
Everyone is trying to find the cheapest and most effective way to use LEDs. Most people start looking into the concept of the scrubber and find a lot of information regarding how to make one, but LED lighting is not heavily covered, or at least difficult to find. I've posted guidelines on DIY LED quantity and spacing but for the non-DIYers they still search for the perfect off-the-shelf lamp and post it here for opinions. I guess it's hard to avoid. Perhaps if we had our own sub-forum you could separate out discussions.
