Algae Scrubber Basics

[Floyd R Turbo]

If the scrubber is open-air, this is the case. But even in a sump cabinet, you can have reduced CO2 levels over time. If the scrubber is in a fully enclosed box, then you can have CO2 depletion that can lead to an excess alk uptake by the scrubber as it goes to another source. Opening the enclosure can help, and adding a directed fan can help even more.

But to answer the pH question, yes a scrubber running on a reverse light cycle can help with pH drop during DT lights off time

 

[SantaMonica]

don't scrubbers also raise pH through photosynthesis?

Yes they are usually capable of 0.1 or 0.2 pH raise if the scrubber is large enough for the system. The larger the scrubber, the more the pH increase.

 

[crocogator106]

How far off the water should the bottom of the screen be? Also do you guys place the skimmer pump in the refugium area or another area and pump to the fug?

 

[crocogator106]

Sorry I meant ATS pump not skimmer.

 

[Happyschneider]

A quick question, can the area be too big? If I had two with a total area that is really bigger than what I feed, could the cleaning be every 14 days for each individual (cleaning one every 7 days).

 

[Floyd R Turbo]

Theoretically it's a "maybe". How about that for a non answer

the drawback of "oversized" is that you can end up with the growth spreading out and actually changing in form or type of growth

 

[outy]

the drawback of "oversized" is that you can end up with the growth spreading out and actually changing in form or type of growth

I might be a good test subject for this one.

I'm still 12" X 12" for 1 cube a day. Lit one side "20w actual".

So far I think it just means harvesting every 8 weeks instead of the usual 4 weeks.

 

[Happyschneider]

Thanks for the fast answers. I'm trying to put together the shopping list so that I can do the dyi over easter

Usual 4 weeks? I'm sorry, I thought I remembered that you should under no circumstances let it grow for longer than 7 days. Was that only true pre-led?

Anyway, 4 weeks would be fine for me, despite travels. So I could reduce to recommended size. That helped a lot thank you guys. It really is amazing how willingly you guys share your experience. Highly appreciated!

 

[crocogator106]

I must have leprosy...It's a 50/50 shot or less for me to get anyone to answer or respond to a question.:angryfire:

 

[Floyd R Turbo]

I must have leprosy...It's a 50/50 shot or less for me to get anyone to answer or respond to a question.:angryfire:

busy life, busy thread. Easy to miss posts

How far off the water should the bottom of the screen be? Also do you guys place the skimmer pump in the refugium area or another area and pump to the fug?

screen should be maybe 1/2" or so underwater to avoid splashing

Pump placement really is just a preference, in the long run a mature scrubber doesn't care, but if you have problems getting the screen to start up, meaning, zero growth in 3+ weeks, then put the pump near the DT dump into the sump

Thanks for the fast answers. I'm trying to put together the shopping list so that I can do the dyi over easter

Usual 4 weeks? I'm sorry, I thought I remembered that you should under no circumstances let it grow for longer than 7 days. Was that only true pre-led?

Anyway, 4 weeks would be fine for me, despite travels. So I could reduce to recommended size. That helped a lot thank you guys. It really is amazing how willingly you guys share your experience. Highly appreciated!

no-longer-than-7-days is an old rule that really only applies to weakly lit screens, mainly CFL. I let mine go 14 days routinely. Very seldom will I let grow past about 18 days though.

Mainly IMO this is due to high power LEDs and the "punch" issue I described just recently in this thread

 

[crocogator106]

No worries and I appreciate your answer. I'm sure I've asked some stupid questions but if I don't know something I'm going to ask.

 

[jrp1588]

I must have leprosy...It's a 50/50 shot or less for me to get anyone to answer or respond to a question.:angryfire:

I'm always thankful for free advice, even if I only get it 50% of the time. haha

 

[FullBoreReefer]

I'm always thankful for free advice, even if I only get it 50% of the time. haha

"50% of the time it works everytime", I love this quote bahaha

Sorry...back to the discussion lol

 

[crocogator106]

I'm always thankful for free advice, even if I only get it 50% of the time. haha

Me to!

 

[Mark...]

Does anyone know if Kydex material is safe for reef environment. Not in the water but by it. Thanks!

 

[crocogator106]

As long as its not heated. I make sheaths for knives out of kydex and it does give off a chemical smell and can smoke when heated. This usually occurs about or just over 350 degrees. Not sure if this smoke is toxic but cant be good would be my guess.

 

[Mark...]

As long as its not heated. I make sheaths for knives out of kydex and it does give off a chemical smell and can smoke when heated. This usually occurs about or just over 350 degrees. Not sure if this smoke is toxic but cant be good would be my guess.

Thanks, as long as the finished product is ok, its all good.

 

[jerseypete]

Does anyone know if Kydex material is safe for reef environment. Not in the water but by it. Thanks!

I used it as a light blocker on my scrubber for about a month. Till I ordered one from bud. A lot better then the one I made. But did not see any negatives from it.

As long as its not heated. I make sheaths for knives out of kydex and it does give off a chemical smell and can smoke when heated. This usually occurs about or just over 350 degrees. Not sure if this smoke is toxic but cant be good would be my guess.

 

[biecacka]

Here is mine, 1 week after cleaning. I'm only feeding about 3 cubes a day now. Could that be part of the reason my growth is slow and thin?

Corey

 

[frogg21]

What thickness is best for the acrylic panels?
I don't want to go to thick and reduce light penetration also I don't want the box to bee to flimsy. What have you guys used where did you order it?