Algae Scrubber Basics

[FullBoreReefer]

Sorry guys I wasn't trying to start stuff, it was merely my opinion.

I know not everyone has room to build DIY stuff or things are in view and don't want unsightly DIY stuff everywhere.

 

[Floyd R Turbo]

I have no problem with your comment FullBoreReefer! There are different solutions for different needs and wants. Some want features, some want simple and inexpensive. Not my desire to convince anyone one way or the other, I'd be banging my head against the wall.

I'm on this thread to help DIYers. Same with every other similar thread to this one, here and elsewhere. Well maybe there's one where I can express my bias. Lol

 

[jason2459]

I have no problem with your comment FullBoreReefer! There are different solutions for different needs and wants. Some want features, some want simple and inexpensive. Not my desire to convince anyone one way or the other, I'd be banging my head against the wall.

I'm on this thread to help DIYers. Same with every other similar thread to this one, here and elsewhere. Well maybe there's one where I can express my bias. Lol

I know of two. [emoji1]

 

[ozzman]

I have no problem with your comment FullBoreReefer! There are different solutions for different needs and wants. Some want features, some want simple and inexpensive. Not my desire to convince anyone one way or the other, I'd be banging my head against the wall.

I'm on this thread to help DIYers. Same with every other similar thread to this one, here and elsewhere. Well maybe there's one where I can express my bias. Lol

Your help and expertise is much appreciated. I just got my led today. Hope to build my acrylic box in the next couple weeks and will post pictures.

 

[mattberrytr]

That's because there have been no improvements since 2008 (see sig). The new improvements will start focusing on very low cost, in order to help everyone start scrubbing. Applies to DIY too, of course; almost too easy to make.

There's been a tonne of improvements. Waterfall scrubbers have come a long way since 2008. Really, what aspect of them hasn't changed, other than the idea of water flowing down over an illuminated screen?

 

[mattberrytr]

I have no problem with your comment FullBoreReefer! There are different solutions for different needs and wants. Some want features, some want simple and inexpensive. Not my desire to convince anyone one way or the other, I'd be banging my head against the wall.

I'm on this thread to help DIYers. Same with every other similar thread to this one, here and elsewhere. Well maybe there's one where I can express my bias. Lol

And one where you can't express anything :lolspin:

 

[iced98lx]

Sorry guys I wasn't trying to start stuff, it was merely my opinion.

I know not everyone has room to build DIY stuff or things are in view and don't want unsightly DIY stuff everywhere.

no worries man, you're right, the unit I bought is expensive and you can easily DIY one that will work in a similar fashion (I'd even say success with the unit I bought would validate most basic waterfall DIY units). I do like the level of finish of the one I bought, and value wise I can see where the money went vs the first commercial scrubber I bought. The first one was basically two fast food trays with a single cheap-o LED, an airline and some magnets. I think I paid $150 for that $20 collection of parts that never worked in a marine tank anyway. I was considering various DIY builds for a waterfall when my child arrived and suddenly my time value went up and I went this route.

Back to regularly scheduled ATS Discussion, hopefully in a week I'll have some shots of my growth, I even bought a little scale to measure since that seems to be the going method lol

 

[outy]

I'm on this thread to help DIYers. Same with every other similar thread to this one, here and elsewhere. Well maybe there's one where I can express my bias. Lol

And above all I do value your help.


You helped me.

 

[jason2459]

That's because there have been no improvements since 2008 (see sig). The new improvements will start focusing on very low cost, in order to help everyone start scrubbing. Applies to DIY too, of course; almost too easy to make.

DIY has always been cheap. Where have you been ?

Hope cheap doesn't trump quality to much.

 

[SantaMonica]

I meant for pre-built. Of course DIY is cheap, as cheap as you can get the parts. Maybe $5 total if you know where to look.

 

[Mark...]

Any thoughts on using car window tinting material to use as a light blocker to cover the slot? I've see some material that is 2 ply that blocks 95% of light and UV resistant.

Thanks

 

[Floyd R Turbo]

It's *probably* ok, usually that is just vinyl, but you would not want to use the adhesive stuff of course. I monkeyed around with using some vinyl sheet at first, it seemed to work OK, better that garbage bags (stiffer) but still was kind of a pain to get it in just the right place

That's a piece of spa flex cut to act as a holder, since that pic I trimmed it back so that the vinyl wasn't actually touching, that worked OK and gave me a roadmap for a better idea.

 

[Mark...]

Thanks for the reply Floyd! I guess I'll have to get a sample and test it out. I'm currently working with holster material and thought this would be easier.

 

[jerseypete]

Thanks for the reply Floyd! I guess I'll have to get a sample and test it out. I'm currently working with holster material and thought this would be easier.

I used thar material. And it worked. But I'm not the best craftsman. Floyd sells ones that are a lot nicer. Good price also.

 

[Becks]

I was just about to purchase a skimmer but then thought with the success of ats do I really need a skimmer?? I guess I could always buy one in the future if need be?

If you all would start tomorrow with no equipment would you bother buying a skimmer? Or just go down the ats route?

 

[AZRippster]

I was just about to purchase a skimmer but then thought with the success of ats do I really need a skimmer?? I guess I could always buy one in the future if need be?

If you all would start tomorrow with no equipment would you bother buying a skimmer? Or just go down the ats route?

Personally, I would still use both unless you do not feed much and your bio load is very low. I run a decent sized ATS and a good sized skimmer that still pulls lots of yuck out of the water. The skimmer also helps with oxygenation and if you want to use ozone it is convenient without requiring another reactor.

 

[iced98lx]

If you all would start tomorrow with no equipment would you bother buying a skimmer? Or just go down the ats route?

I would do both.

 

[jason2459]

I would do both.

Same.

 

[mntbiker2008]

I'm trying to figure out what part you are running the needles through...? You actually want the screen holes to fill in with algae - that's where it grows back from. Otherwise I'm not sure what you are referring to...the holes above the screen...need more info, and a pic!

On the pvc that feeds the screen, I made cuts about 1" apart the length of the screen instead of one long cut down the center (I am probably going to change this and go with the one long cut). I am running the needle in those holes because the algae is plugging them up, causing water to spray the opposite way of the screen.

This is what I am talking about. Those hole are the ones getting plugged up.

 

[hkgar]

I was just about to purchase a skimmer but then thought with the success of ats do I really need a skimmer?? I guess I could always buy one in the future if need be?

If you all would start tomorrow with no equipment would you bother buying a skimmer? Or just go down the ats route?

They remove different things.