Algae Scrubber Basics
- Thread starter srusso
- Start date
Floyd R Turbo
Either busy or sleeping
I should just dedicate a section of the basics website to why that product and a few others from that area of the world are just useless and/or poorly designed. It's horizontal which means that by default, it needs to be huge to be effective - it's way too small to be of much use realistically.
That product has been around for quite a long time, relative to the more recent resurgence of the ATS over the last decade. But you don't see anyone posting any results they got from using it. Probably because it yields very poor results.
But for $50 for a 10x25 horizontal, it's not like it's a total ripoff. It's just that you could do better by DIYing a slot pipe (even a bad one) and roughing up a screen that is 1/4 the size that one would need and slapping 2 Warm White LED floodlights from Home Depot on it...you would literally come out ahead on price and effectiveness.
That product has been around for quite a long time, relative to the more recent resurgence of the ATS over the last decade. But you don't see anyone posting any results they got from using it. Probably because it yields very poor results.
But for $50 for a 10x25 horizontal, it's not like it's a total ripoff. It's just that you could do better by DIYing a slot pipe (even a bad one) and roughing up a screen that is 1/4 the size that one would need and slapping 2 Warm White LED floodlights from Home Depot on it...you would literally come out ahead on price and effectiveness.
z3speed4me
New member
Well I am jumping into the scrubber world!
Got one for a real good price from a local guy that built a tank that never got it up and running and just parted out. It's from 302 Aquatics, so not as good as Turbo's unit (which will likely be what I purchase later if this attempt goes well). But it should still work for what I need.
I'll try to remember to take some pics of my progress. Just hooked it up last night. Only thing I have noticed with this design is these flood lights get quite warm when in my cabinet closed all day, wondering if it will have any impact on water temp, thinking of adding a fan or two in there to provide some airflow.
Look like these, but are white light not red (maybe swap them??)
https://www.amazon.com/Floodoor-Lig...=1507573133&sr=8-5&keywords=plant+flood+light
Got one for a real good price from a local guy that built a tank that never got it up and running and just parted out. It's from 302 Aquatics, so not as good as Turbo's unit (which will likely be what I purchase later if this attempt goes well). But it should still work for what I need.
I'll try to remember to take some pics of my progress. Just hooked it up last night. Only thing I have noticed with this design is these flood lights get quite warm when in my cabinet closed all day, wondering if it will have any impact on water temp, thinking of adding a fan or two in there to provide some airflow.
Look like these, but are white light not red (maybe swap them??)
https://www.amazon.com/Floodoor-Lig...=1507573133&sr=8-5&keywords=plant+flood+light
Floyd R Turbo
Either busy or sleeping
302 claims to have tested a bunch of fixtures and determined that the LightingEver WW fixtures yields the best results. I can't say that it's the "wrong" fixture, it very well could be that that particular fixture (brand and color temp) does yield good results but that also does not imply that WW is the "ideal" color temp.
So I would just use what you have since you have it, it will grow algae. If you want to try WW on one side and red/blue on the other, wait until one fixture burns out and then get the one you linked to.
As for temp, circulation never hurts.
So I would just use what you have since you have it, it will grow algae. If you want to try WW on one side and red/blue on the other, wait until one fixture burns out and then get the one you linked to.
As for temp, circulation never hurts.
SantaMonica
Well-known member
They get warm because the power supply is inside the light. Whereas separate/discrete LED setups have the power supply farther down the power cable. Separate also keeps 120v from being next to the water.
Red is best, but they like to use white because the boxes are open and the light escapes.
Wally.B
Active member
Quick update on that Scrubber Shut Down.
I got it started up again.
But just before it kicked in I solved a MAJOR problem in my System. Probably nothing to do with Scubber but who knows.
I feed my Skimmer Fresh Air via a Pipe. I found the seal to my skimmer tube coupler was ruptured. That made by PH Jo-Jo like crazy. I thought it was my PH probe (expired), but when I replaced it PH swing was still happening.
Two day after I found and seal my Airline tube, my tank made a 360 Degree recovery. All Dying SPS started recovering and continue to this point.
(Swing on PH was 7.45 - 7.8) After sealing (PH 7.79-7.81).
That swing was caused by airline opening an closing, since it was at water level.
That swing was many times a day and it was killing my SPS Corals.
I check my APEX Fusion Graphs (knowing issue) and found the AIRLINE Break (when PH dropped quickly).
Date of AIRLINE SEAL rupture is almost same time when Scrubber shut down and Corals started dying.
Not sure if it's related, but my Scrubber started working again.
I haven't pulled out the Screens, but there is a good harvest brewing in there.
I just pulled out an Airline tube and it's covered in a nice Macro Ball.
The Screen in the picture is a brand new Screen I seeded, since the Original Screens got all covered in Coraline (but they are growing anyway. Loose Macro, that falls off easy).
Makes me think. Why not seed more airlines like this.
Harvest are easier than a Screen Scrub.
I just pull out the ALGAE POPSICLES. TRIM Into Garbage Can and put back.
Floyd R Turbo
Either busy or sleeping
I'm about 1000% sure that's not the reason he uses white. Did you just make that up man? Geez
SantaMonica
Well-known member
Wally.B
Active member
My Upflow Scrubber is producing what appears to be 2-3 types of Algae.
However I get the feeling it's the same, but depending on Area, Flow, Attached or not, it forms differently:
-> Stringy Long strands that attach to Mesh, or Airline (POST 9700 Above has picture)
-> Lumpy globs that float to the top (Picture below)
-> and semi stringy attached but floating)
All Macro-Growth is contained in the Scrubber since there is a Mesh/Screen Gate on outflow of ATS.
Does it make sense that the Attached Stringy is it's stretch out, and the free floater are not stretched.
This is an example of a free Floating Ball of Macro.
What kind of Algae is this? (Texture is Gelly Like, Wet, Squishy)
I assume any growing algae is good. So long as it not intrusive to DT.
Easy to harvest since these balls simply float to the top, and I scoop them out.
However I get the feeling it's the same, but depending on Area, Flow, Attached or not, it forms differently:
-> Stringy Long strands that attach to Mesh, or Airline (POST 9700 Above has picture)
-> Lumpy globs that float to the top (Picture below)
-> and semi stringy attached but floating)
All Macro-Growth is contained in the Scrubber since there is a Mesh/Screen Gate on outflow of ATS.
Does it make sense that the Attached Stringy is it's stretch out, and the free floater are not stretched.
This is an example of a free Floating Ball of Macro.
What kind of Algae is this? (Texture is Gelly Like, Wet, Squishy)
I assume any growing algae is good. So long as it not intrusive to DT.
Easy to harvest since these balls simply float to the top, and I scoop them out.
karimwassef
Active member
They're just breakaways. I get that too
z3speed4me
New member
So I'm a week into my scrubber and my display tank is still outgrowing at a furious pace. When can I possibly expect it to be beat by the scrubber?
Here is what it looks like currently. I have one side of lights on just for the photo.
Here is what it looks like currently. I have one side of lights on just for the photo.
Last edited:
hkgar
Active member
What are the nutrient levels? PO4 and NO3.
If there are nutrients algae will grow and it really doesn't care where it grow as long as the environment is favorable. i.e. light and flow and PO4 and NO3. With an algae scrubber we are just trying to give the algae a more favorable place to grow.
I don't know how big your tank is or how much you feed. I feed heavy and get great growth from my ATS but also dose carbon to keep nutrients under control.
z3speed4me
New member
Levels are practically zero because algae is consuming it all.
Tank is a 75 with 20 sump. I know patience is a virtue in this hobby, I had no algae for 18 months then boom out of nowhere a big bloom.
I feed about two cubes a day and always have.
Just wondering off everyone's experience how long until the scrubber starts to overpower the tank. Thx!!
Tank is a 75 with 20 sump. I know patience is a virtue in this hobby, I had no algae for 18 months then boom out of nowhere a big bloom.
I feed about two cubes a day and always have.
Just wondering off everyone's experience how long until the scrubber starts to overpower the tank. Thx!!
salty joe
Active member
Rocks must have taken on enough phosphate to fuel algae. My guess is it'll take at least a couple months to start beating it back with ATS.
z3speed4me
New member
Yea that's the part that confused me most Bc I blow them with a turkey baster like every few days.
jalisco
New member
Hi Floyed,
I put your Rev 3 L2 on my aquarium 6 months ago and connot get it to take off.
45gal DT
20gal Sump
2.5 liters Siporax
Radion XR30 Pro (haven't turned on to let ATS get going)
Open flow minimum real reaf rock
1 cube per day
Yasha Goby
Helfrichi Fire Fire
Tanaka Possum Wrasse
2ea. Scarlet hermits
2ea. Dwarf Blue Leg hermits
1ea. Pom Pom crab
1ea. Randalli Pistol shrimp
Having trouble loading files right now. I'll try again shortly.
I put your Rev 3 L2 on my aquarium 6 months ago and connot get it to take off.
45gal DT
20gal Sump
2.5 liters Siporax
Radion XR30 Pro (haven't turned on to let ATS get going)
Open flow minimum real reaf rock
1 cube per day
Yasha Goby
Helfrichi Fire Fire
Tanaka Possum Wrasse
2ea. Scarlet hermits
2ea. Dwarf Blue Leg hermits
1ea. Pom Pom crab
1ea. Randalli Pistol shrimp
Having trouble loading files right now. I'll try again shortly.
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