Algae Scrubber Basics

Day 13 - I couldn't wait another day for the two weeks... so today was the first scrape!

Starting -

here's the blue side
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/2F9593AB-2017-4944-9503-5C82E88C53FF_zpslbhfdzxa.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/2F9593AB-2017-4944-9503-5C82E88C53FF_zpslbhfdzxa.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2F9593AB-2017-4944-9503-5C82E88C53FF_zpslbhfdzxa.jpg"/></a>

here's the red side
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/166ADBAA-4004-4826-A6A5-2B3DFF321052_zpsy8bxwxvg.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/166ADBAA-4004-4826-A6A5-2B3DFF321052_zpsy8bxwxvg.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 166ADBAA-4004-4826-A6A5-2B3DFF321052_zpsy8bxwxvg.jpg"/></a>

The hair algae was very long
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/78FE1D57-7636-453B-9A19-54A08E9158BF_zpskkw5fsqx.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/78FE1D57-7636-453B-9A19-54A08E9158BF_zpskkw5fsqx.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 78FE1D57-7636-453B-9A19-54A08E9158BF_zpskkw5fsqx.jpg"/></a>

In some cases, over a foot long for a single strand (this is in two weeks!)
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/4B54E35A-2763-43D9-A12E-326B3ED3108D_zpsjf5vl1wf.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/4B54E35A-2763-43D9-A12E-326B3ED3108D_zpsjf5vl1wf.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 4B54E35A-2763-43D9-A12E-326B3ED3108D_zpsjf5vl1wf.jpg"/></a>

After the first heavy scrape
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/AD0075C3-791F-4B42-82B1-A7367C6B232C_zpsvilwbaz2.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/AD0075C3-791F-4B42-82B1-A7367C6B232C_zpsvilwbaz2.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo AD0075C3-791F-4B42-82B1-A7367C6B232C_zpsvilwbaz2.jpg"/></a>

One side done
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/4C937BCF-987C-4361-A15E-BDF62930D013_zps1vrdl64v.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/4C937BCF-987C-4361-A15E-BDF62930D013_zps1vrdl64v.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 4C937BCF-987C-4361-A15E-BDF62930D013_zps1vrdl64v.jpg"/></a>

and the other side
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/665BBD3F-F42E-460D-8D11-C939D8069393_zpsr7fpn1is.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/665BBD3F-F42E-460D-8D11-C939D8069393_zpsr7fpn1is.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 665BBD3F-F42E-460D-8D11-C939D8069393_zpsr7fpn1is.jpg"/></a>

With both cleaned, it's more see-through.. That's a lot of gunk, but it's very green and thick.
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/AFDFD06B-D955-4134-908D-0929CA5993B0_zpshpuy85xu.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/AFDFD06B-D955-4134-908D-0929CA5993B0_zpshpuy85xu.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo AFDFD06B-D955-4134-908D-0929CA5993B0_zpshpuy85xu.jpg"/></a>
 
Here's the cleaning station, the hose has tank water from the main return pump so I can use it to wash with tank water into the sink.
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/95F91A8D-3653-42D8-9D5A-543C605C7192_zpsk6lkmhka.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/95F91A8D-3653-42D8-9D5A-543C605C7192_zpsk6lkmhka.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 95F91A8D-3653-42D8-9D5A-543C605C7192_zpsk6lkmhka.jpg"/></a>

ready to go back in
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/95F3048A-3597-4737-9109-F2BDC9C89C17_zpshjulonhj.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/95F3048A-3597-4737-9109-F2BDC9C89C17_zpshjulonhj.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 95F3048A-3597-4737-9109-F2BDC9C89C17_zpshjulonhj.jpg"/></a>

It's almost pretty
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/BE7FC0D9-0A2D-4BB3-87DC-0EAAEE174222_zpsujujxcft.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/BE7FC0D9-0A2D-4BB3-87DC-0EAAEE174222_zpsujujxcft.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo BE7FC0D9-0A2D-4BB3-87DC-0EAAEE174222_zpsujujxcft.jpg"/></a>

removed as much of the liquid as I could
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/FEFD50DF-4B73-42B1-A575-56D46440B69C_zpsxrzdisdx.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/FEFD50DF-4B73-42B1-A575-56D46440B69C_zpsxrzdisdx.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo FEFD50DF-4B73-42B1-A575-56D46440B69C_zpsxrzdisdx.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/44EA9889-C40C-4885-A4CA-C382A51E4A6C_zps7ah9p2s2.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/44EA9889-C40C-4885-A4CA-C382A51E4A6C_zps7ah9p2s2.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 44EA9889-C40C-4885-A4CA-C382A51E4A6C_zps7ah9p2s2.jpg"/></a>

total "squeezed" weight = 428grams (almost a pound in two weeks).
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/B22BE473-52DC-44D7-95C2-D0931B479970_zpshahlp90j.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/B22BE473-52DC-44D7-95C2-D0931B479970_zpshahlp90j.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo B22BE473-52DC-44D7-95C2-D0931B479970_zpshahlp90j.jpg"/></a>

and back in place
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/BE7A7EA9-495C-494F-B50A-2F0BAE8EA750_zpspwueyktt.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/BE7A7EA9-495C-494F-B50A-2F0BAE8EA750_zpspwueyktt.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo BE7A7EA9-495C-494F-B50A-2F0BAE8EA750_zpspwueyktt.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/E5B0136C-4793-4394-8060-865014FD1808_zpslq7rk3v6.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/E5B0136C-4793-4394-8060-865014FD1808_zpslq7rk3v6.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo E5B0136C-4793-4394-8060-865014FD1808_zpslq7rk3v6.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/95D1C7CF-3D66-4035-A5EC-63349F1FF259_zpsmx642jgd.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/95D1C7CF-3D66-4035-A5EC-63349F1FF259_zpsmx642jgd.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 95D1C7CF-3D66-4035-A5EC-63349F1FF259_zpsmx642jgd.jpg"/></a>
 
so... I think it's fair to say that it's working reasonably well for a two week old scrubber.

Based on this first crop, I would expect to export one lb/week?

If I let it go, it would likely get to 4 lbs a month?

I feel strange throwing it away... :( so much life! I usually keep it in my algae tank, but this much export is more than it can handle.
 
I'm running 24/7... Algae doesn't seem to get light exhaustion.

I did find out that adding more loads to the same power supply sapped the current and reduced the par. I'm going to modify the lights' power grid to create a higher consistent PAR. Looks like 400 PAR was the sweet spot.
 
Holy frijoles! A pound of algae stinks to high heaven in the trash after a day!! The garage is abominable! I've never experienced this before, but I've never had this much export before either.

Anyone else deal with this? I need to take it out immediately next time.
 
karimwassef said:
Holy frijoles! A pound of algae stinks to high heaven in the trash after a day!! The garage is abominable! I've never experienced this before, but I've never had this much export before either.

Anyone else deal with this? I need to take it out immediately next time.
Click to expand...
I throw my algae (and chaeto as well) in my compost, outside.:)
 
ok. decided to add a plastic sheet cover - yes. I capitulated to popular opinion (and a couple of LEDs started to flicker).

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/E12DB888-2C20-4F2C-8E2E-AA0AB964D474_zpsrqm0syzd.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/E12DB888-2C20-4F2C-8E2E-AA0AB964D474_zpsrqm0syzd.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo E12DB888-2C20-4F2C-8E2E-AA0AB964D474_zpsrqm0syzd.jpg"/></a>

I think it's an acetate sheet - I've had it for a year so I don't remember

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/1D61D6DE-2917-4852-8737-2579A19C13A5_zpswsqtcqst.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/1D61D6DE-2917-4852-8737-2579A19C13A5_zpswsqtcqst.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 1D61D6DE-2917-4852-8737-2579A19C13A5_zpswsqtcqst.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/E525F7E4-A36A-4D4E-AA12-4695F0889338_zpsc3i3b5wy.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/E525F7E4-A36A-4D4E-AA12-4695F0889338_zpsc3i3b5wy.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo E525F7E4-A36A-4D4E-AA12-4695F0889338_zpsc3i3b5wy.jpg"/></a>

It's foldable and will hold a crease

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/B7CC37AD-2427-49E4-9742-F72872BEE6C0_zpsfryvjlpy.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/B7CC37AD-2427-49E4-9742-F72872BEE6C0_zpsfryvjlpy.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo B7CC37AD-2427-49E4-9742-F72872BEE6C0_zpsfryvjlpy.jpg"/></a>

It's a little hard to see because it's so clear

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/F0406594-FD0F-4FDE-B180-983B1720A9B1_zpskoim8mot.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/F0406594-FD0F-4FDE-B180-983B1720A9B1_zpskoim8mot.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo F0406594-FD0F-4FDE-B180-983B1720A9B1_zpskoim8mot.jpg"/></a>

and reinstalled

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/E1971D5A-8281-46B6-BCDC-8141190C35D0_zpsahov8xgk.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/E1971D5A-8281-46B6-BCDC-8141190C35D0_zpsahov8xgk.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo E1971D5A-8281-46B6-BCDC-8141190C35D0_zpsahov8xgk.jpg"/></a>

the bottom corner is a little imperfect, so you can see the plastic better here

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/F0DD8079-BE0E-40F9-84C4-50B68BF7FD5B_zps2va4oafc.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/F0DD8079-BE0E-40F9-84C4-50B68BF7FD5B_zps2va4oafc.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo F0DD8079-BE0E-40F9-84C4-50B68BF7FD5B_zps2va4oafc.jpg"/></a>
 
No Mr crazy reef devil on my left shoulder... I resist that temptation and will accept my imperfection in my pursuit of reef nirvana. I acknowledge the poor workmanship and accept it as part of the journey...

For now ... :D
 
karimwassef said:
I'm running 24/7... Algae doesn't seem to get light exhaustion.

I did find out that adding more loads to the same power supply sapped the current and reduced the par. I'm going to modify the lights' power grid to create a higher consistent PAR. Looks like 400 PAR was the sweet spot.
Click to expand...

I would agree that algae does not seem to get light exhaustion, but that you can get photosaturation depending on the intensity level

Meaning, if you have too much intensity, then you hit a point where you won't grow anything. But if you find that right level, you can run it as long as you want.

That is also assuming nothing else changes, meaning, available nutrients. So if you start off with a bang and then over time your available nutrients drop significantly, your light level then might be too much.

Apart from dimming, the only way to adjust intensity is to shade, diffuse, or adjust position/distance. But it's a moving target since everyone's tank is different.
 
Floyd R Turbo said:
I would agree that algae does not seem to get light exhaustion, but that you can get photosaturation depending on the intensity level

Meaning, if you have too much intensity, then you hit a point where you won't grow anything. But if you find that right level, you can run it as long as you want.

That is also assuming nothing else changes, meaning, available nutrients. So if you start off with a bang and then over time your available nutrients drop significantly, your light level then might be too much.

Apart from dimming, the only way to adjust intensity is to shade, diffuse, or adjust position/distance. But it's a moving target since everyone's tank is different.
Click to expand...

I think the nutrient content and flow rate need to match up to the intensity. The three in balance would allow constant operation. I have a lot of flow and you know my nutrient situation is the equivalent of an outdoor pond...
 
I am most dissatisfied with the uniformity of the flow out of the slit. I really need sone better design help here.

I could increase the pressure with a smaller slit to flood the inlet pipe, but that would reduce the flow.

I could even go to directional streams (drilled holes pointing at the screen), but that's less flow again.

I can go double inlet, but that'll only help a little given that I have a 2 foot span in a 2" pipe.

I can create a cascade of pipes to force uniformity but That would be huge.

...
 
karimwassef said:
Holy frijoles! A pound of algae stinks to high heaven in the trash after a day!! The garage is abominable! I've never experienced this before, but I've never had this much export before either.

Anyone else deal with this? I need to take it out immediately next time.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I think I made that mistake once
Myriam said:
I throw my algae (and chaeto as well) in my compost, outside.:)
Click to expand...
I tried putting it in a planter on top of the dirt but it just dries up into a hard clump and doesn't seems to get "consumed"

MorganAtlanta said:
Flush it
Click to expand...
karimwassef said:
Ummm.. A pound of hair algae won't go down easy... It might have when fresh, but after rotting for a couple of days, it's "gelling"
Click to expand...
I put it down the garbage disposal

jason2459 said:
Please don't put foreign algae into a sewage or drain system.
Click to expand...
Never really gave it a second thought...
MorganAtlanta said:
This is hair algae, not culerpa
Click to expand...
^ that was my thought...plus, doesn't saltwater algae pretty much die off due to osmotic shock when placed in FW?
 
karimwassef said:
I am most dissatisfied with the uniformity of the flow out of the slit. I really need sone better design help here.

I could increase the pressure with a smaller slit to flood the inlet pipe, but that would reduce the flow.

I could even go to directional streams (drilled holes pointing at the screen), but that's less flow again.

I can go double inlet, but that'll only help a little given that I have a 2 foot span in a 2" pipe.

I can create a cascade of pipes to force uniformity but That would be huge.

...
Click to expand...

Once you get a fully mature screen, the algae will tend to want to grow into the slot/screen junction. When that happens it will divert flow to an area of less growth, which will then grow faster, diverting the flow away from it, etc...eventually the flow will be pretty balanced out. I don't know that I would spend a ton of time worrying about it right now, see if the issue persists. Unless of course, you happen to have bad OCD and a lot of free time.
 
MorganAtlanta said:
This is hair algae, not culerpa
Click to expand...

I've also had more then just hair algae on mine.

Plus, it all depends on where you live. It could end up in a brackish or saltwater location. Edit, and some toilets utilize a brackish or saltwater water system to even start with.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

adova
300g DIY Acrylic Tank Recommendations
Replies
5
Views
143
griss
griss
Jyetman
All my corals and live rock now in my scrubber tank
Replies
2
Views
368
Jyetman
Jyetman
D
Can I use Fiji 12 Sump skimmer compartment for cheat fuge?
Replies
7
Views
408
griss
griss
A
Fleece filter bypass problems (Innovitech X filter)
Replies
1
Views
47
Vinny Kreyling
Vinny Kreyling
chemchris
WTS IM 14 Gallon complete setup $800
Replies
0
Views
308
chemchris
chemchris
Back
Top