Algae Scrubber Basics

[SantaMonica]

That'll be a nice year of phosphate coming out of the rocks

 

[Swope2bc]

So I built scrubber several years ago for my 75g, with the old guidelines. Long story short, built a new stand, moved the tank. Old scrubber didint fit. Threw some Chaeto in the sump under a couple clamp lights. Between my wife being sick with an auto immune disorder, as well as house remodels, the tank has been on minimum maintenance to keep it alive. The algae in the display is starting to take over. My wife is healthy now, so a bit more time and money to put into the tank right now(until the baby arrives....:eek2

I decided to build a new scrubber based on the new guidelines. Tank is 75g with about 20g sump. 2 medium clown, 1 medium anthias, 1 medium sand sifting goby, 1 small mandarin. I 1 cube a day and occasionally some coral food. I decided to do about a 4 cube screen size, due to the older dirty rocks, and to be able to feed more in the future. Measured my flow, did a screen thats 6 1/4 x 8ish effective area. Put it together very simple and cheap. Union on one side supported by the drain pipe thats secured to the wall, opposite side held up with a loop of plastic plumbers strap that it can just slip out of for cleaning. Splash guards are acrylic sheet just hung over the top. Drains into 5gallon square jug with no top, and holes in the side, that serves as a simple bubble separater. (My drain pipe used to drop into it tumbling chaeto.). Thas sitting in a rubbermaid tub.

Lights are currently 1 23w actual CFL per side, in home depot shop light reflectors, painted gloss appliance enamal white inside. The reflectors are a bit bigger than my screen. they are set up with the bulbs centered on the effective area of screen. They are hopefully temporary. I plan to eventually do LED. But I had the reflectors already, and bulbs are $12 for a 4 pack. I hope it should get me going. I may build some new reflectors that will hold the bulbs parallel to the screen if these dont seem to work.

Critiques and concerns are welcome.













And some before tank shots.

Your tank is gorgeous despite the GHA! Keep it up and be sure to show us some progress pics as thinks go forward.

 

[FraggledRock]

Si ive had my scrubber running about 2 months and all I get is what appears to be red slime/red hair algae.

What could this indicate? I have no nuissance algae in my tank which is great, but im worried sonething is outta whack. Does cyano grow on an ATS if no other slgae is present or do i need a different bulb?

 

[Swope2bc]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe I remember reading that cyno would result from low light.

 

[FraggledRock]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe I remember reading that cyno would result from low light.

So I should up the wattage on my scrubber light?

 

[Swope2bc]

I believe so, what is your screen size and lighting? I was hoping one of the "experts" would chime in but I've read extensively so we should be able to figure it out.

 

[FraggledRock]

I believe so, what is your screen size and lighting? I was hoping one of the "experts" would chime in but I've read extensively so we should be able to figure it out.

it is a 40 gallon breeder, down flow

it gets about 100 gph and the bulb is 40 watt 5k bulb

about 12 x 12 square mesh screen

 

[FraggledRock]

[img=http://s13.postimg.org/uzvzcpwyr/002.jpg]

 

[FraggledRock]

[img=http://s2.postimg.org/9koiy0cz9/003.jpg]

 

[FraggledRock]

you can see the red algae showing most

 

[Swope2bc]

Ah, looks like your flow is too low. 35gph per inch of width. 35x12= 420gph... So, either you need to make your screen more narrow or you need to dramatically increase the flow.

 

[hkgar]

Just chiming in but you also might want to consider a reflector for the bulb to direct all the light at the screen.

 

[FraggledRock]

Ah, looks like your flow is too low. 35gph per inch of width. 35x12= 420gph... So, either you need to make your screen more narrow or you need to dramatically increase the flow.

Ahh this is no problem. Ill reduce the flow on one of the siphone drains (bean animal setup)


Thanks!

 

[FraggledRock]

Just chiming in but you also might want to consider a reflector for the bulb to direct all the light at the screen.

I had one but it doesntvscrew on right and i usyally find it hanging off. I ptobably shoukd replace it ;p i been lazy lol

Thanks!!

What bulb should i use?

 

[Swope2bc]

That bulb should work fine with higher flow, let us know how it does

 

[FraggledRock]

That bulb should work fine with higher flow, let us know how it does

Cool thanks, will do!

 

[Swope2bc]

Cool thanks, will do!

Oh, and a good reflector will also help but the flow issue is the biggest need. Good luck

 

[JohnnyB in SD]

That 5k bulb is not good. Read post 6601 or get an off the shelf led for plants
http://www.ebay.com/itm/161252647371
There's also others that are strip or larger panel style.

 

[Swope2bc]

That 5k bulb is not good. Read post 6601 or get an off the shelf led for plants

http://www.ebay.com/itm/161252647371

There's also others that are strip or larger panel style.

JB, though an LED would be preferred these were originally built and used with CFL bulbs and the K rating was quite broad. The 5k CFL will grow algae just fine.

 

[JohnnyB in SD]

I think you want 2700 if CFL.
I used CFL for a few years. LED is far superior. Don't have to constantly change bulbs, stronger green growth, less heat & energy consumption.