Algae Scrubber Basics

[AZRippster]

Check out Pax-Bellum. It would be basically that design but an ATS. I was going to build something along the Pax design last year but in the end opted for a more standard design so I could integrate it into my sump.

 

[Floyd R Turbo]

You beat me to it AZRippster

 

[AZRippster]

The Pax would by default only light from inside to one side of a mesh, but external LEDs could also be designed externally emitting inward to do a double sided ATS. You could have a massively large screen supporting very large systems in a relatively compact space.

 

[outy]

So ordering another 20 would be better? To have a 20w on either side.

Yes same size light on each side.

 

[biecacka]

The Pax would by default only light from inside to one side of a mesh, but external LEDs could also be designed externally emitting inward to do a double sided ATS. You could have a massively large screen supporting very large systems in a relatively compact space.

There is a thread right now of ppl doing something like this. They are mostly still mostly using it to grow cheato but a few have mentioned ATS.

Corey

 

[outy]

I thought of a paddle wheel mesh drum ran of the return water with a single light overhead

 

[SantaMonica]

The cylinder thing is very hard to clean inside. And like was said, it's only 1 sided unless you put light on the outside, which then would no longer be compact.

 

[AZRippster]

If a 6" tube was used, and say the 1/2" tall heat sinks were used from USA Heat Sinks to mount LED strips 660nm/455nm to the outside, the tube would still roughly be 9" in circumference. That's not too bad considering you could make the tube as tall as the bio load requirement of the tank demanded. For the heat sink to cool the LEDs, an RC Aluminum Block Motor Head could be bored out to accommodate a copper or even aluminum tube that the inner LED would be wrapped around. To optimize cooling, a small 40mm fan could be added to the heat sink. There are several media reactors available on the market, to include kits, that should get someone on their way quickly in accomplishing this.

http://www.heatsinkusa.com/1-000-new-now-available/

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Red-660nm-B...hash=item3ce8e239cc:m:mZ0FznAG-KgzQ4q_0ztxlXA

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-HPI-Sav...835497?hash=item4d353f7ee9:g:KhIAAMXQVT9SzuR0

http://www.ebay.com/itm/3-4-Aluminu...984737?hash=item41826beaa1:g:cSsAAOSwVupTm1cI

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1Pcs-Mini-S...816754?hash=item418c208932:g:aGQAAOSwp5JWXWHt

 

[karimwassef]

Pax-Bellum is fully submerged and made for chaeto or other macro.

I'm asking about an ATS with a flat mesh that gets looped into a circle = cylinder.

Cleanup is the same as any flat mesh since it straightens up into a sheet when removed.

 

[mattberrytr]

Pax-Bellum is fully submerged and made for chaeto or other macro.

I'm asking about an ATS with a flat mesh that gets looped into a circle = cylinder.

Cleanup is the same as any flat mesh since it straightens up into a sheet when removed.

I'm building a laser cut 2 cube waterfall scrubber that works similar to this. There's a hold up on SteveLEDs end with getting a couple of components I need, which is annoying, but they should arrive in a couple of weeks. It should be about half the size of a comparable waterfall scrubber. Can post pics up when it's built if anyone is interested.

 

[salty joe]

I'm building a laser cut 2 cube waterfall scrubber that works similar to this. There's a hold up on SteveLEDs end with getting a couple of components I need, which is annoying, but they should arrive in a couple of weeks. It should be about half the size of a comparable waterfall scrubber. Can post pics up when it's built if anyone is interested.

Heck yeah-post pics!

 

[AZRippster]

Pax-Bellum is fully submerged and made for chaeto or other macro.

I'm asking about an ATS with a flat mesh that gets looped into a circle = cylinder.

Cleanup is the same as any flat mesh since it straightens up into a sheet when removed.

Understood, I was just commenting that the same concept used for the Pax-Bellum could be used to support a cylindrical ATS. With the correct design and plumbing, it could even be used for a waterfall style.

 

[Spar]

can someone try to define what "easy" means in terms of being able to scrape off the GHA from the ATS? mine isn't by any means difficult, but about 20% or less is a little bit of a pain to get off. the bulk scrapes right off.

i am wondering if i need to decrease my photo period a little.

also, does it usually smell bad?? which i know is hard to define also...

 

[AZRippster]

Take off the big stuff and put it back into service. My does not stink, smells like algae at the ocean. Then again, if that smell is offensive to you, maybe it does stink.

 

[Spar]

Take off the big stuff and put it back into service. My does not stink, smells like algae at the ocean. Then again, if that smell is offensive to you, maybe it does stink.

thanks.

ya not sure why i hate the smell so much! i will just man-it-up

i am still getting a bit of GHA in my DT even with this thing running, unsure why. My CUC is able to keep up with most of it. I am barely feeding at all since I have no fish yet, just a few coral. PO4/NO3 read near zero.

i am wondering if i have undersized my screen though as it grows really quick...

 

[SantaMonica]

There is some die-off on the underlying layers of a waterfall, which is probably what you smell. There is less of this with upflows.

 

[bheron]

Feedback on these lights? I'm just about ready to begin my ATS build and want to use pre-made LEDs for this:

- 1.5 cubes
- 4.5 x 4.5 inch canvas
- up to 180 GPH available

Planning to use one of these lights on each side:

http://www.amazon.com/GLW-Waterproof-Fixture-Hydroponic-Greenhouse/dp/B012C4QJ06/ref=sr_1_2?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1455055760&sr=1-2&keywords=20W+660nm+led+grow+lights

or this, more expensive for some reason, maybe better quality?

http://www.amazon.com/LJY-Hydroponics-Growing-Floodlight-Waterproof/dp/B00M31GHIS/ref=pd_sim_sbs_60_4?ie=UTF8&dpID=41ZT31MmszL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=13BTVTDTC7KMM28YCTR8

Thanks!

 

[outy]

Feedback on these lights? I'm just about ready to begin my ATS build and want to use pre-made LEDs for this:

- 1.5 cubes
- 4.5 x 4.5 inch canvas
- up to 180 GPH available

Planning to use one of these lights on each side:

http://www.amazon.com/GLW-Waterproof-Fixture-Hydroponic-Greenhouse/dp/B012C4QJ06/ref=sr_1_2?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1455055760&sr=1-2&keywords=20W+660nm+led+grow+lights

or this, more expensive for some reason, maybe better quality?

http://www.amazon.com/LJY-Hydroponics-Growing-Floodlight-Waterproof/dp/B00M31GHIS/ref=pd_sim_sbs_60_4?ie=UTF8&dpID=41ZT31MmszL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=13BTVTDTC7KMM28YCTR8

Thanks!

Same light, go with the cheaper price

 

[outy]

can someone try to define what "easy" means in terms of being able to scrape off the GHA from the ATS?...

A couple passes with a scrub brush knocks it right off

 

[bheron]

Same light, go with the cheaper price

Are they truly the same? so hard to tell. Maybe one has better "guts" or manufactured elsewhere.

Also found these which a few people have gotten and actually has some good reviews on Amazon. Also has a 1 year warranty:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00VLVY4UE?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00