flyhigh123
funky member
How do you make the water go on both sides? Does it automatically do it? I've cut the pipe to 1/8" slot. Now need to bug the mesh. The top of the mesh do I need to cut it open?
Algae Scrubber Basics
- Thread starter srusso
- Start date
OodleyBoodely
New member
Flyhigh, I used a technique for holding the screen to the slotted pipe that I read about on the algaescrubber site...sorry my memory is like a sieve and I don't recall who did it first... Basically, just cut three 1/4 inch rings from the ends of pvc fittings that fit your pipe, for example; if your pipe is 1" pvc, take a 1" pvc T and cut 1/2" off each end to get 3 rings. Now cut a half inch opening in each ring and then slide them onto your slotted pipe and space out along the pipe. Turn the opening on each ring so it is down leaving the slot open. Push your screen into the slot about 3/4" deep and mark the screen where the rings are. Now just cut out a small rectangle just large enough to easily fit the rings through. Replace the screen in your slot and line up the rings with each cutout. Turn the rings so that they pass through the cut holes until the openings are topside. All done! Now to clean your screen, just turn the rings to release the screen...a much better system IMO than using zipties as the rings are stronger and re-usable. Oh, and the water will automatically flow on both sides. 
sometimes if the light is spilled everywhere in the sump, red slime will grow, happened to me.
Floyd R Turbo
Either busy or sleeping
+1 on that, but generally it will only grow in the sump, because of the amount of red light used in the scrubber, which cyano likes.
srusso
Active member
It can make algae detach from the screen if the roots cant handle the flow.
Too much flow is much less of an issue than too little flow.
Floyd R Turbo
Either busy or sleeping
He beat me to it.
There really isn't a big one. If you have a high-nutrient system initially, you will tend to get darker growth which blocks light to the roots easier, and a thicker laminar flow of water will fall faster and could cause detachment. Once the screen is mature enough and nutrients are down, the higher flow will provide the outer layers of algae with more nutrients to continue to grow longer (and, more 3D if you are running a closed box), but as long as the screen is lit from both sides and you clean every 7 days, the roots will still have enough light to hold on to the screen.
flyhigh123
funky member
Here is the cut. I used a oscillating multifunction tool from harbor freight. It's a 1/8" on. 1.5" PVC. First try... the tool cuts very straight and because the attachement is large, it keeps it straight. Took me about 5 minutes.
srusso
Active member
Here is the cut. I used a oscillating multifunction tool from harbor freight. It's a 1/8" on. 1.5" PVC. First try... the tool cuts very straight and because the attachement is large, it keeps it straight. Took me about 5 minutes.
If it's so easy... Cut 5 more... PVC is very cheap. The better that cut the better the scrubber.
Maybe make a jig...
Not to bad though
Nice toy you got there
Floyd R Turbo
Either busy or sleeping
Here is the cut. I used a oscillating multifunction tool from harbor freight. It's a 1/8" on. 1.5" PVC. First try... the tool cuts very straight and because the attachement is large, it keeps it straight. Took me about 5 minutes.
Totally awesome man. That is spot on for a first try. I think I know what my next tool purchase will be!
jrp1588
New member
Here is the cut. I used a oscillating multifunction tool from harbor freight. It's a 1/8" on. 1.5" PVC. First try... the tool cuts very straight and because the attachement is large, it keeps it straight. Took me about 5 minutes.
got any 1" PVC laying around you'd cut a slot in and mail to me? haha
flyhigh123
funky member
That oscillating tool is the best tool i ever purchased! Harbor freight sells it for $20 bucks all the time! It cuts PVC like a champ, drywall, tiles, wood, metal...
I use it as much as I use my drill. This tool use to be like $200 for fein, but after their patent exhausted, harbor freight made it and sells it for $20 with coupon(always around)
Anyways, It's really easy to use and let's you plunge cut and do somewhat detailed work. Lots of attachments too.
flyhigh123
funky member
If it's so easy... Cut 5 more... PVC is very cheap. The better that cut the better the scrubber.
Maybe make a jig...
Not to bad though
Nice toy you got there
lol, i'm too cheap to cut more... i actually cleaned it up a bit and straightened it out just a little more. Measured with a tape and its perfectly 1/8".
Also, to help make it a straighter cut, I put two T's on both ends and set it on a flat surface. This helped me from allowing the pvc to roll. Then took a straight edge and marked it.
redneckgearhead
Active member
Its recommended that you clean it weekly, regardless of the amount of growth.
TheFishMan65
New member
Do you have a link to the "oscillating multifunction tool"
Dave1NC
New member
Splash Guard
Splash Guard
I was wondering if someone could post some pics of their splashguard? I purchased some lexan http://www.lowes.com/pd_239982-1638-1PC0036A_?PL=1&productId=3142233 cut to size. I used zip ties to hang it from the 3/4 PVC pipe. Water is still splashing over the top of the guard and on the center brace and then spilling on the floor. The lexan is bowing and bending under the heat of the bulbs. I initially had my screens in just one compartment of the sump, but changed it stretch across the entire sump.
I am at the point of tearing it down or just tearing down everything. I don't have the money to spend on a more a expensive skimmer or a better scrubber per the getto style one I am currently running. Sorry if this sounds abrupt, but I and getting a little frustrated with it and the wife is nagging me to take everything down. :crazy1:
Pics
Splash Guard
I was wondering if someone could post some pics of their splashguard? I purchased some lexan http://www.lowes.com/pd_239982-1638-1PC0036A_?PL=1&productId=3142233 cut to size. I used zip ties to hang it from the 3/4 PVC pipe. Water is still splashing over the top of the guard and on the center brace and then spilling on the floor. The lexan is bowing and bending under the heat of the bulbs. I initially had my screens in just one compartment of the sump, but changed it stretch across the entire sump.
I am at the point of tearing it down or just tearing down everything. I don't have the money to spend on a more a expensive skimmer or a better scrubber per the getto style one I am currently running. Sorry if this sounds abrupt, but I and getting a little frustrated with it and the wife is nagging me to take everything down. :crazy1:
Pics
Last edited:
Floyd R Turbo
Either busy or sleeping
You might consider this. Get a slightly thicker piece of Lexan, and then bend it
http://www.ehow.com/how_5088306_heat-bend-lexan.html
It's not that hard to do, just take some basic precautions (well ventilated area, fire extinguisher nearby). Use a metal pipe of larger outer diameter than the slot tube and place the lexan on top of it where you want the bend, heat it evenly, and when it becomes pliable, lift it up slowly and let the material drape over it until it's in an upside-down U shape.
But I'm still confused as to how a significant amount of water is getting up over the splashguard and finding it's way on to the floor. My scrubber pipe sits in a box, the top of which only extends to 1/2 way up the side of the pipe and I get no spray out, never have. Are you sure it's not coming from the ends of the slot? It doesn't look like you have any O-rings or anything else to stop water from running along the end of the slot and out to the vertical PVC. Just trying to think of where the path of the water is coming from.
http://www.ehow.com/how_5088306_heat-bend-lexan.html
It's not that hard to do, just take some basic precautions (well ventilated area, fire extinguisher nearby). Use a metal pipe of larger outer diameter than the slot tube and place the lexan on top of it where you want the bend, heat it evenly, and when it becomes pliable, lift it up slowly and let the material drape over it until it's in an upside-down U shape.
But I'm still confused as to how a significant amount of water is getting up over the splashguard and finding it's way on to the floor. My scrubber pipe sits in a box, the top of which only extends to 1/2 way up the side of the pipe and I get no spray out, never have. Are you sure it's not coming from the ends of the slot? It doesn't look like you have any O-rings or anything else to stop water from running along the end of the slot and out to the vertical PVC. Just trying to think of where the path of the water is coming from.
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