hkgar
Active member
Try moving the light in closer. I am running a30 watt on a 7x9 screen at 2inches and 18 hours on. This is the light:
https://www.amazon.com/Growing-wate...d=1466536893&sr=8-4&keywords=eco+grow+30+watt
Algae Scrubber Basics
- Thread starter srusso
- Start date
Try moving the light in closer. I am running a30 watt on a 7x9 screen at 2inches and 18 hours on. This is the light:
https://www.amazon.com/Growing-wate...d=1466536893&sr=8-4&keywords=eco+grow+30+watt
crocogator106
New member
I was running 18 hours and about 2 days ago started 24 hours to try and get some growth. I'll try moving it closer as well
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
karimwassef
Active member
one week and it's green
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/923A5AA5-477E-478A-AE93-99430CF65E35_zpsvhugr34s.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/923A5AA5-477E-478A-AE93-99430CF65E35_zpsvhugr34s.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 923A5AA5-477E-478A-AE93-99430CF65E35_zpsvhugr34s.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/6BC4C16E-0FFA-4E4F-8196-1225EBAEA1B1_zpshcatjkph.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/6BC4C16E-0FFA-4E4F-8196-1225EBAEA1B1_zpshcatjkph.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 6BC4C16E-0FFA-4E4F-8196-1225EBAEA1B1_zpshcatjkph.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/5D3CBBF2-5DD8-4E72-B85E-9E561E6DEF02_zpspwrn6qcz.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/5D3CBBF2-5DD8-4E72-B85E-9E561E6DEF02_zpspwrn6qcz.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 5D3CBBF2-5DD8-4E72-B85E-9E561E6DEF02_zpspwrn6qcz.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/0AA20706-1DCC-4266-A1B6-F561675A7702_zpsmcrtb88g.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/0AA20706-1DCC-4266-A1B6-F561675A7702_zpsmcrtb88g.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 0AA20706-1DCC-4266-A1B6-F561675A7702_zpsmcrtb88g.jpg"/></a>
I would call that success... tentatively
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/923A5AA5-477E-478A-AE93-99430CF65E35_zpsvhugr34s.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/923A5AA5-477E-478A-AE93-99430CF65E35_zpsvhugr34s.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 923A5AA5-477E-478A-AE93-99430CF65E35_zpsvhugr34s.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/6BC4C16E-0FFA-4E4F-8196-1225EBAEA1B1_zpshcatjkph.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/6BC4C16E-0FFA-4E4F-8196-1225EBAEA1B1_zpshcatjkph.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 6BC4C16E-0FFA-4E4F-8196-1225EBAEA1B1_zpshcatjkph.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/5D3CBBF2-5DD8-4E72-B85E-9E561E6DEF02_zpspwrn6qcz.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/5D3CBBF2-5DD8-4E72-B85E-9E561E6DEF02_zpspwrn6qcz.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 5D3CBBF2-5DD8-4E72-B85E-9E561E6DEF02_zpspwrn6qcz.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/0AA20706-1DCC-4266-A1B6-F561675A7702_zpsmcrtb88g.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/0AA20706-1DCC-4266-A1B6-F561675A7702_zpsmcrtb88g.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 0AA20706-1DCC-4266-A1B6-F561675A7702_zpsmcrtb88g.jpg"/></a>
I would call that success... tentatively
karimwassef
Active member
Tiny zip ties
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/IMG_6043_zpszxo1up3m.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/IMG_6043_zpszxo1up3m.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_6043_zpszxo1up3m.jpg"/></a>
but I'm tending towards going to clear stretchy plastic line like this instead
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/IMG_6042_zpstpd7gccd.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/IMG_6042_zpstpd7gccd.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_6042_zpstpd7gccd.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/IMG_6039_zpsscy61gpt.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/IMG_6039_zpsscy61gpt.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_6039_zpsscy61gpt.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/IMG_6043_zpszxo1up3m.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/IMG_6043_zpszxo1up3m.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_6043_zpszxo1up3m.jpg"/></a>
but I'm tending towards going to clear stretchy plastic line like this instead
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/IMG_6042_zpstpd7gccd.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/IMG_6042_zpstpd7gccd.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_6042_zpstpd7gccd.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/IMG_6039_zpsscy61gpt.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/IMG_6039_zpsscy61gpt.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_6039_zpsscy61gpt.jpg"/></a>
karimwassef
Active member
I'm very likely to rip it apart and do it again better:
1. I'd rough up the edges before putting them together.
2. I'd reduce the width to get more clearance in the lower container.
3. I'd use the stretchy line instead of zip ties.
4. I'd add two fan on either side to push the stray spray down instead of letting it hit the lights.
5. I'd redo the power distribution lines to the LED plates. At 10A each, the #18 wire is too wasteful.
The last one is very interesting, by the way. The red plate had more copper (lower resistance) and gave off more light. I expected some difference but it was huge (like 30% more PAR).
Here are a couple of ideas I like but would be more invasive (ok- just don't want to do them
)-
6. Loop the flow to enter through both sides instead of from the single middle inlet.
7. Add clear plastic screens between the lights and screens.
8. Put the LED plates on a solid back that can be raised and swivel (PVC probably) instead of hanging (my fans are pretty strong- may need to do this to keep the low pressure they create from sucking the plates against the screen)
1. I'd rough up the edges before putting them together.
2. I'd reduce the width to get more clearance in the lower container.
3. I'd use the stretchy line instead of zip ties.
4. I'd add two fan on either side to push the stray spray down instead of letting it hit the lights.
5. I'd redo the power distribution lines to the LED plates. At 10A each, the #18 wire is too wasteful.
The last one is very interesting, by the way. The red plate had more copper (lower resistance) and gave off more light. I expected some difference but it was huge (like 30% more PAR).
Here are a couple of ideas I like but would be more invasive (ok- just don't want to do them
)-6. Loop the flow to enter through both sides instead of from the single middle inlet.
7. Add clear plastic screens between the lights and screens.
8. Put the LED plates on a solid back that can be raised and swivel (PVC probably) instead of hanging (my fans are pretty strong- may need to do this to keep the low pressure they create from sucking the plates against the screen)
karimwassef
Active member
10 days...
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/FA18CB2D-5850-4DDA-8568-C21F0E4B4550_zpswi5dkocd.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/FA18CB2D-5850-4DDA-8568-C21F0E4B4550_zpswi5dkocd.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo FA18CB2D-5850-4DDA-8568-C21F0E4B4550_zpswi5dkocd.jpg"/></a>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ye4Ml7YS1ZI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/FA18CB2D-5850-4DDA-8568-C21F0E4B4550_zpswi5dkocd.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/FA18CB2D-5850-4DDA-8568-C21F0E4B4550_zpswi5dkocd.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo FA18CB2D-5850-4DDA-8568-C21F0E4B4550_zpswi5dkocd.jpg"/></a>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ye4Ml7YS1ZI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
mattberrytr
New member
A little while ago I posted that I was working on a two cube waterfall scrubber which operated a bit differently. The design is pretty much finished, just have a few minor changes to make in the next revision. A few people asked I post up some pics, so here's what I've got so far. My goal with this scrubber was to make it as compact as possible, whilst still getting the performance benefits from it being a waterfall scrubber. It measures: 5.5 inches square, by 7 inches tall.
The biggest difference is probably that the LEDs are inside the unit, instead of being on the outside (and shining in) on typical waterfall scrubbers. The screen being on the outside, and on all four sides means maximum surface area. A four cube version of this scrubber is only taller by about 3 inches.
The design has three sections. The top and bottom sections contain strong neodymium magnets which hold the middle (scrubber screen) section in place. It's easy to disassemble just by pulling the middle section down and apart for cleaning. Water can only flow down, so it can't overflow like a poorly designed traditional waterfall scrubber would. I need to do some more testing, but from what I've seen so far, if the bottom water exit point ever did get clogged, the water would cascade down over the external sides of the middle unit.
The top section contains the top control side, sealed water intake, the heatsink and the PCB. Water comes in through the hose barb on the top side, and is forced down over the sides of the middle section, containing the screen. The water exits down through the bottom section. The bottom of the unit is designed to sit flush with the water level - so it could sit propped up on some egg crate etc. It's nice and quiet too.
The screen is 3D printed. I grew algae on an ABS 3D printed screen back in 2014, but am switching to PETG as it's naturally food safe. It's better than ABS in pretty much every way, it's also easier to print, so it's a win win. There's a red and violet LED on each side of the heatsink, eight total. It pumps out plenty of light.
Some pics:
Pic of growth on an earlier revision - with an aragonite screen:
Video of the control unit in action if anyone is interested:
https://vimeo.com/172198657
The biggest difference is probably that the LEDs are inside the unit, instead of being on the outside (and shining in) on typical waterfall scrubbers. The screen being on the outside, and on all four sides means maximum surface area. A four cube version of this scrubber is only taller by about 3 inches.
The design has three sections. The top and bottom sections contain strong neodymium magnets which hold the middle (scrubber screen) section in place. It's easy to disassemble just by pulling the middle section down and apart for cleaning. Water can only flow down, so it can't overflow like a poorly designed traditional waterfall scrubber would. I need to do some more testing, but from what I've seen so far, if the bottom water exit point ever did get clogged, the water would cascade down over the external sides of the middle unit.
The top section contains the top control side, sealed water intake, the heatsink and the PCB. Water comes in through the hose barb on the top side, and is forced down over the sides of the middle section, containing the screen. The water exits down through the bottom section. The bottom of the unit is designed to sit flush with the water level - so it could sit propped up on some egg crate etc. It's nice and quiet too.
The screen is 3D printed. I grew algae on an ABS 3D printed screen back in 2014, but am switching to PETG as it's naturally food safe. It's better than ABS in pretty much every way, it's also easier to print, so it's a win win. There's a red and violet LED on each side of the heatsink, eight total. It pumps out plenty of light.
Some pics:
Pic of growth on an earlier revision - with an aragonite screen:
Video of the control unit in action if anyone is interested:
https://vimeo.com/172198657
Last edited:
jerseypete
New member
Could you show a picture of the lid flipped over. Would like to see how the water flows to all four sides. I tried a similar way. But had trouble with one inlet to get good flow to all four sides.A little while ago I posted that I was working on a two cube waterfall scrubber which operated a bit differently. The design is pretty much finished, just have a few minor changes to make in the next revision. A few people asked I post up some pics, so here's what I've got so far. My goal with this scrubber was to make it as compact as possible, whilst still getting the performance benefits from it being a waterfall scrubber. It measures: 5.5 inches square, by 7 inches tall.
The biggest difference is probably that the LEDs are inside the unit, instead of being on the outside (and shining in) on typical waterfall scrubbers. The screen being on the outside, and on all four sides means maximum surface area. A four cube version of this scrubber is only taller by about 3 inches.
The design has three sections. The top and bottom sections contain strong neodymium magnets which hold the middle (scrubber screen) section in place. It's easy to disassemble just by pulling the middle section down and apart for cleaning. Water can only flow down, so it can't overflow like a poorly designed traditional waterfall scrubber would. I need to do some more testing, but from what I've seen so far, if the bottom water exit point ever did get clogged, the water would cascade down over the external sides of the middle unit.
The top section contains the top control side, sealed water intake, the heatsink and the PCB. Water comes in through the hose barb on the top side, and is forced down over the sides of the middle section, containing the screen. The water exits down through the bottom section. The bottom of the unit is designed to sit flush with the water level - so it could sit propped up on some egg crate etc. It's nice and quiet too.
The screen is 3D printed. I grew algae on an ABS 3D printed screen back in 2014, but am switching to PETG as it's naturally food safe. It's better than ABS in pretty much every way, it's also easier to print, so it's a win win. There's a red and violet LED on each side of the heatsink, eight total. It pumps out plenty of light.
Some pics:
Pic of growth on an earlier revision - with an aragonite screen:
Video of the control unit in action if anyone is interested:
https://vimeo.com/172198657
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk
karimwassef
Active member
Aren't you losing the surface area on the back of the mesh?
Why a cube and not a tube? With a tube of LEDs inside, you can run a cylinder of mesh around it?
Why a cube and not a tube? With a tube of LEDs inside, you can run a cylinder of mesh around it?
karimwassef
Active member
So, my front and back of the screens don't share water well. The front used to get it all but now it's much lower. The back looks to be growing much faster given that it had a 3 day delay. I'll have to wait for the first cleaning to get them in a fair race
mattberrytr
New member
The water exits from holes in the bottom (three on each side), hits a slanted screen and then hits the walls of the middle section.
If it was a double sided screen it would need to be lit from the outside in, I'd get half the screen surface area.
The LEDs would be way too close if I had the screen on the outside of the cylinder. Square works better for a few different reasons.
If it was a double sided screen it would need to be lit from the outside in, I'd get half the screen surface area.
The LEDs would be way too close if I had the screen on the outside of the cylinder. Square works better for a few different reasons.
SantaMonica
Well-known member
Any pictures of your tanks?
karimwassef
Active member
Any feedback/advice on my video of the 10 day old screen faces?
The growth has very long green algae filaments (about an inch long) but not very thick at the base.
The growth has very long green algae filaments (about an inch long) but not very thick at the base.
azjohnny
Active member
Green hair is what you want. Your tank must have been in good shape to begin with. Mine produces thicker brown algae with smaller amounts of green hair
I think I have high PO4 though. I do have GHA growing out of the rocks. I have just recently started a media reactor with GFO
I think I have high PO4 though. I do have GHA growing out of the rocks. I have just recently started a media reactor with GFO
SantaMonica
Well-known member
No tanks for us right now; just test tanks.
karimwassef
Active member
I mean the length vs. thickness. I have long thin hair, but I think I want short thick hair?
Floyd R Turbo
Either busy or sleeping
Well, you can't expect that to happen overnight. Once you have an established base of growth, then after each cleaning the wheel won't have to be reinvented, so the growth will start out thicker and stronger.
Right now, the fine strands is generally what you are going to get. Just need to give it time.
Right now, the fine strands is generally what you are going to get. Just need to give it time.
Similar threads
