Algae Scrubber Basics
- Thread starter srusso
- Start date
outy
New member
Depends on the wattage used, and array [how spread out] the led chips are.
I keep mine 6" - 12" away from top of screen to bottom. with a 30w
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showpost.php?p=24288546&postcount=7563
FullBoreReefer
New member
Holy cow I'm going on a few weeks and can't really get crap to grow. Although my DT is still producing algae grrrr.
AZRippster
Diver & Reef Aquarium Nut
Post picks of your build and details on light cycle and water parameters.
outy
New member
FullBoreReefer
New member
Yep those are the materials, built in a 5gal bucket.
ATS lights - 16/on-8/off about 4" away from each side
PH - 8.19(apex)
Alk - 7.9(salifert)
Cal - 440(salifert)
Mag - 1280(salifert)
SG - 1.026(refractometer)
Temp - 78.4(apex)
Phos - 0.0(Hanna) (algae in display tank)
Could it be that I went with one size smaller than yours on the canvas? I'm sure the craft store has the larger by now, they were sold out at the time. But I made sure to scuff it up just as much.
Last edited:
outy
New member
Youi can always ramp up your lights later, it takes a while to build bacteria up so I would cut the hours down to 12
Your lights are 10w but they are very bright up close like that.
I doubt it was the canvas unless you did not rough it up good enough.
Your build is sweet looking, I wish I could make mine that clean, I could keep the water insulated, its cold here in the high 30's under my house.
FullBoreReefer
New member
Ok, lights have been cut back to 12hrs.
Unfortunately all I have its 4" between the lights and screen since it's all internal in the bucket.
I made sure I went over board when I scuffed it up. It was pretty hairy when I finished.
I figured a bucket would be a simple all in one solution. Add a uniseal or two and bam, theres your drain. Then just set the lid on to help contain the light and sound.
outy
New member
If you don't get color in 4 days with the new lighting hours.
It cut two square windows in the sides and put the lights on the outside about 4" out.
FullBoreReefer
New member
Dumb question but I'll ask: what size (width) PVC pipe is generally used for the main waterfall piece that the canvas fits into? 1"? 3/4"? Maybe it's in there somewhere but I couldn't find it
I used 3/4".
AZRippster
Diver & Reef Aquarium Nut
+1 - I feed it with a 1/2" line though. Plenty of flow. Also, if you can get the thin wall PVC for at least that part of the ATS, it makes cutting the groove a little easier. If you have a router table and a 1/8" bit, I can pass on a nice trick to cut the groove easily and straight as an arrow.
FullBoreReefer
New member
outy
New member
Same here.
And even with that, I have overflow due to the high volume of water.
I would say it al depends on how much water flow one has planned.
Me having a basement sump 3/4" would not work as well
karimwassef
Active member
I have thousands of feather dusters in mine 
My setup allows for temporary pulsed submersion so I think that's creating a lot more life that the normal waterfall or updraft. It alternates between submerged and fully out of the water and mimics the surf at the breakers or beach rocks.
Without predation, I have to clean it every three weeks...
Everyone else just tosses their export? Anyone considered reusing or creating a grow out tank that could double as a quarantine tank?
Thinking out loud.
My setup allows for temporary pulsed submersion so I think that's creating a lot more life that the normal waterfall or updraft. It alternates between submerged and fully out of the water and mimics the surf at the breakers or beach rocks.
Without predation, I have to clean it every three weeks...
Everyone else just tosses their export? Anyone considered reusing or creating a grow out tank that could double as a quarantine tank?
Thinking out loud.
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