Algae Scrubber Basics

[srusso]

So part two of fixing my ghetto scrubber...

New Splash shield


removed the old bubble trap and set shield on water line.



Removing the old bubble trap made a ton more room in the sump.



It's like a second display tank, as I wanted. Put some yellow parazoanthids in there... Almost like a sea horse tank... What do you guys think I can put in there?!



Next step is to cut new slot tube, trim screen a few inches and mount CFLs to splash shield.

Replaced old bulbs today and used foil for reflectors.

 

[srusso]

I love watching my little sump tank now!! I have seen so many new creatures! I also forgot to mention that I added crushed coral and sand to the sump as well... I should be able to grow some low light corals in there, getting 70 -100 par in the sump. Any ideas on corals for the sump?

 

[nate82]

How about a crab and some shrooms? Nice set up

 

[Dave1NC]

So part two of fixing my ghetto scrubber...

New Splash shield
View attachment 153816

Hey there,

What kind of pins or screws do you have along top of your splash shield? Are those plastic ones? Where did you get them? I am using zip ties and I'm not really crazy about them.

 

[srusso]

Hey there,

What kind of pins or screws do you have along top of your splash shield? Are those plastic ones? Where did you get them? I am using zip ties and I'm not really crazy about them.

Well, I didn't make the splash guard/shield. It was a piece of acrylic, used during shipping of some large equipment at my job. It was being tossed out and I took it home.



But here is a look at how it connects. Had the same on the bottom, which I removed.



You can also see that I have it just resting on the PVC... That's because this is not how it will work in the end. I have a few new ideas in the works on how to make it easier to access. Also will be trimming about 1/3 and attaching the lights to the guard.

 

[zhewitt04]

Remember your algae scrubber needs some time running before you can remove all other filtration. The maxijet 1200 will not do much, just want to set your expectations.

As for your scrubber build, it looks good! Looks you will need more light though, other than that your good. :thumbsup:

Why won't the maxijet do much? I am running a turf scrubber for my 65 gallon reef. I jsut started it going on one week today. Anyways I have growth and was curious to why i might need to change the pump. My screen is 7.5" across meaning i only need 262.5 gallons per hour. The maxi jet is rated for 295. I have less than one foot of head loss. Am i ok?
Thanks

 

[srusso]

Why won't the maxijet do much? I am running a turf scrubber for my 65 gallon reef. I jsut started it going on one week today. Anyways I have growth and was curious to why i might need to change the pump. My screen is 7.5" across meaning i only need 262.5 gallons per hour. The maxi jet is rated for 295. I have less than one foot of head loss. Am i ok?
Thanks

If your getting good coverage then you should be ok... However you can't go by manufacturer GPH, in most cases pumps are not even getting close to the GPH list. Made even worse by the fact the pump head calculators are also way off. The best way to know is test, Floyd has many times on this thread posted instructions on how to properly test. The easiest was to know if your getting the flow you need is to watch the screen. All sections of the screen should receive even rushing flow. If your flow doesnt reach the end of the screen more then likely needs a bigger pump. If your getting uneven flow, your slot tube could also an issue.

Happy scrubbing! Post pictures of your setup and we will be happy to critique your setup and help troubleshoot any issues. Please post your results as often as you can. Thanks

 

[g8gxp]

Why won't the maxijet do much? I am running a turf scrubber for my 65 gallon reef. I jsut started it going on one week today. Anyways I have growth and was curious to why i might need to change the pump. My screen is 7.5" across meaning i only need 262.5 gallons per hour. The maxi jet is rated for 295. I have less than one foot of head loss. Am i ok?
Thanks

The MJ 1200 definitely won't be enough, i tried it with mine and it just wasn't strong enough. The gph ratings aren't useful in this situation because you don't just need a strong output, you need a sheet of water that spans the length of your tube. Plus you are going from less than a 1/2" opening on the MJ to a 3/4 or possibly 1 inch pipe which greatly reduces pressure. You'll end up with uneven spots of water coverage.

 

[jrp1588]

The easiest was to know if your getting the flow you need is to watch the screen. All sections of the screen should receive even rushing flow. If your flow doesnt reach the end of the screen more then likely needs a bigger pump. If your getting uneven flow, your slot tube could also an issue.

I really need to make a new slotted tube. My dremmel skills suck. How did you get yours so straight and even.

 

[mmullaly]

I went ahead with running the entire overflow to the ATS. It's getting alot more flow and coverage than on the mj1200. I'll take pics soon. I'll have to keep an eye on my sumps detrius since I am now sockless. I took Floyds design for using a union between the ATS pipe and the overflow plumbing. Great idea, it makes cleanings that much easier.
I also replaced my bulbs to 100W equiv. 2.7K CFL .

 

[flyhigh123]

there is so much to read through, but i haven't found some answers.

Does anyone have a link to a picture on how to cut the pipe? Maybe we can update the first post with this info?

Also, is there a need for Chaeto anymore with a scrubber? Was thinking the cheato would go beneath the scrubber so the lighting grows both?

Thanks

 

[Floyd R Turbo]

there is so much to read through, but i haven't found some answers.

Does anyone have a link to a picture on how to cut the pipe? Maybe we can update the first post with this info?

Check out summary post 1035 and 1036. The simplest way is to use a dremel with a cutting wheel, mark the cut line and make 2 cuts, and then cut the leftover in the center out at the ends. It's a little tricky, so you might want to practice on a smaller piece first. Cut inside the lines and then trim it out to the proper width.

You can also use a table saw, but I would not recommend this as it involves placing the pipe on the blade while running and IMO is too dangerous.

The next time I make one, I will be building a guide template and using a router. PVC dulls circular blades and router bits very quickly from what I understand though. So I'll report on how that goes.

Also, is there a need for Chaeto anymore with a scrubber? Was thinking the cheato would go beneath the scrubber so the lighting grows both?

Chaeto and any other marco algae will get quickly out-competed. The light is much more direct and closer to the screen, so that becomes the preferred area for growth to take place.

 

[srusso]

I really need to make a new slotted tube. My dremmel skills suck. How did you get yours so straight and even.

Well welcome to the sucky dremmel skills club... :sad2:

My slot tube also sucks, it is recommended that if using a dremmel you cut a few... reason being, that after you cut the first three or so the fourth will be better just from practice.

A table saw can cut a very nice straight slot but, but its VERY VERY dangerous to plunge PVC onto a spinning blade... You can also cut the PVC all the way through, to help reduce some of the risk.

 

[flyhigh123]

How far in do we stick the mesh into the PVC?

 

[flyhigh123]

where is the best place to buy the: #7 Mesh Plastic Canvas

 

[Enjoy]

I found the easiest way to cut a 100% straight 1/8" slot is on a basic milling machine. I used an 1/8" ball endmill, and plunged down about .020 per pass - worked like a charm.

If using a dremel, try to secure the PVC in a vice of some sort so that movement is minimal. Just like Floyd said, cut inside your "cut lines" then remove the remaining material inside your cuts.

 

[Enjoy]

Here is an updated photo of my screen that I cleaned yesterday. The center (closest to the bulb) is a little lighter in algae growth than the rest of the screen...Lights to close???

Also, this screen is way oversized at 10" x 12" lit both sides, on a 50g total water volume system. Is this the reason I am not getting thick "green" hair algae? Either way, the scrubber has already out competed 99% of the algae in the display, and I was able to remove my skimmer to save some electricity.
Love the ATS!

Any input is helpful! Thanks in advance.

 

[Floyd R Turbo]

How far in do we stick the mesh into the PVC?

I stick the mesh into the slot about 1/8", so that if you were looking into the tube you would see 1/8" sticking up. I know some people stick it all the way to the top of the inside, but I don't see the point of this and recommend against it, because if anything at all makes it's way down the overflow tube, you want it pushed all the way to the end of the tube so that it doesn't block flow.

where is the best place to buy the: #7 Mesh Plastic Canvas

Any craft store should carry it. Look in the knitting section or ask an employee, they'll know exactly what you're looking for.

 

[Floyd R Turbo]

Here is an updated photo of my screen that I cleaned yesterday. The center (closest to the bulb) is a little lighter in algae growth than the rest of the screen...Lights to close???

You could try to back the lights off a bit. The bald spot in the center is from the center hotspot of the CFL.

What really matters though is 1) is your algae in your DT gone (yes) and 2) where is your N and P. If those are both good, the burnt spot in the middle is just generally annoying. But you might play with distance to screen, lamp wattage, on/off timing.

So we know, what wattage are you running, what reflectors, how many hours on/off, how close to screen?

 

[srusso]

Here is an updated photo of my screen that I cleaned yesterday. The center (closest to the bulb) is a little lighter in algae growth than the rest of the screen...Lights to close???

Also, this screen is way oversized at 10" x 12" lit both sides, on a 50g total water volume system. Is this the reason I am not getting thick "green" hair algae? Either way, the scrubber has already out competed 99% of the algae in the display, and I was able to remove my skimmer to save some electricity.
Love the ATS!

Any input is helpful! Thanks in advance.

That means your lights are a bit close, dont move them to much, even half an inch makes a difference.

I have been running a double sized scrubber for almost a year now...

1) I can tell you that even though the screen is larger doesn't mean your doing any better than a properly sized one... If you want a oversized scrubber you need to build it with the additional light and additional flow...

2) IMHO, tank sizing for algae scrubbers are already a bit understated...

3) Progression of the scrubber will be slow.

4) Additional light and flow needed for the over sized scrubber will cost you

After saying that, I am cutting my scrubber down by 1/3... as soon as I have time to rework it...