Algae Scrubber Basics

[srusso]

I do understand that we don't want to encourage people to try out the screw ins that are currently available unless your doing it for the sake of experimentation and that's what I'm doing with them. In the long run, I will be building a LED fixture for the algae scrubber, but when I go that route, I plan on looking into the 3d scrubber since I'll be putting more money and time into it and I just can't see putting that much effort into the basic algae scrubber.

So, instead of a 120$ build on diy LED's for the scrubber, I spent a 1/4 of the price or there abouts since they were discounted at the time of purchase.

My growth, hard to describe without pic's, but it is exactly what srusso had shown a picture of awhile back. Various shades of the guey or slimey algae with a much tougher growth underneath the slimey stuff. That tougher algae underneath is slowly growing out more, so it may be just a matter of time before I get to the nice hairy turf type of growth that I see the majority of algae scrubbers have.

I do appreciate your concern, I'm doing it just to test it out and I wouldn't be doing it if I didn't have my DSB to fall back on.

That growth is actually not ideal, it is signs that the screen is both light and flow deprived. I increased my flow and hair algae started patching in the next week. More on that later...

 

[srusso]

Here are some pictures of growth at 3 weeks. Do i need more light less light. I am going to increase the flow soon but all i have is a maxi jet on it now. I am just trying to get some good growth for now untill i buy a new pump.

Your screen needs more flow... As I think you know. Don't change the lights, that can make things worse. Remember that an algae scrubber needs things in balance. If you know you don't have enough flow then adding more light right now, could make things worse. From the looks of the screen, I would say it is extremely both light and flow deprived. Scrubbers try to balance themselves but if things are too far off, it won't be pretty... The result is seen in my cleaning video. Not the type of algae you want.

 

[srusso]

My latest changes to my DIY scrubber has resulted in 3D growth. I removed a lot of algae before thinking to take a picture... Here is a sneak peak for next weeks posts for 3D growth on an open algae scrubber. Here is a crappy picture after I finially thought I should post this...



Have a few modifications I will be making today.

New slot tube
Screen cut down by 1/3
Moving lights closer

 

[zhewitt04]

Your screen needs more flow... As I think you know. Don't change the lights, that can make things worse. Remember that an algae scrubber needs things in balance. If you know you don't have enough flow then adding more light right now, could make things worse. From the looks of the screen, I would say it is extremely both light and flow deprived. Scrubbers try to balance themselves but if things are too far off, it won't be pretty... The result is seen in my cleaning video. Not the type of algae you want.

Can you please give me a link to your cleaning video.... Thanks

 

[Floyd R Turbo]

Another fantastic growth week! 3D right up to the slot pipe (and no, there was no flow obstruction)

Rinsed

Cleaned (screens were removed for cleaning)

Squeezed dry and spread out for drying

I'm trying to figure out what changed in the last 3 weeks that has caused a growth spike. I ran out of DIY food so I got a bag of an older batch from a reef club member, so that's #1. I finally fixed my RO/DI system, got a new membrane, filters, and color-change DI from BRS, now I don't have to buy RO water from Wal-mart (even though that tested 0ppm) so that's #2. Then I took all the Anthelia out, and most of the Xenia, except for what I fragged and mounted on rubble rock to cure up and give to a few people, so that's #3. Minus 1 fish (the one that got sucked on to the pump intake and almost killed the screen) but he wasn't very large, so that's #4.

So it's anyone's guess.

 

[King_Richard]

Floyd R Turbo,

I remember you had some sort of diary thread going or was it a build thread, can't remember. Anyway, did you ever put up your design of the 3d scrubber? If so, could you link it for me please. I'm not ready to build one yet, but just looking for some brainstorming idea's on them.

 

[Floyd R Turbo]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1782070

This is the tank journal thread for the system that it was originally on, but i haven't updated that in a way long time (I just noticed). But I never really posted plans on this Rev 2 scrubber, just pics. It has flaws so I don't plan on putting them out there. Gonna replace it anyways.

 

[akando]

Do you do anything with the dry algae other than fertilize the yard?

 

[srusso]

Do you do anything with the dry algae other than fertilize the yard?

Although I have never done this, I have heard that people lay it very thin. Allow it to dry and break it into chrips to feed back to their fish....

It all seems a little too circular to me....

 

[srusso]

That is insane growth for one week!!!

 

[Floyd R Turbo]

Do you do anything with the dry algae other than fertilize the yard?

My wife is asking me exactly what the h@#$ I am planning on doing with all this dried up algae. Right now it's just sitting out in chunks in the garage, I need to grind it up and sprinkle it on the plants. The large chunks of algae do not break down very fast if you just lay them on the top of the dirt, you have to shove them way down.

If I tried to lay this out thin, it would cover a 2' x 4' sheet I think. So that's not going to happen, at least not for me!

 

[SPotter]

My wife is asking me exactly what the h@#$ I am planning on doing with all this dried up algae. Right now it's just sitting out in chunks in the garage, I need to grind it up and sprinkle it on the plants. The large chunks of algae do not break down very fast if you just lay them on the top of the dirt, you have to shove them way down.

If I tried to lay this out thin, it would cover a 2' x 4' sheet I think. So that's not going to happen, at least not for me!

What about a composting bin?

 

[srusso]

What about a composting bin?

Yeah that would work also

 

[OodleyBoodely]

Use it as a mulch around the base of shrubs and trees. As it slowly breaks down it will feed them and until then it looks like it would keep moisture in the ground. Sell it as fancy moss for baskets! LOL! With that kind of production, you have got to find a way to sell it!

 

[akando]

+1 on selling it. Even if you made enough money to cover the price of bulbs, that'd be great. lol Be sure to share with us if you do sell it.

 

[jrp1588]

Would it contain salt that would eventually ruin the soil?

 

[Floyd R Turbo]

I rinse the stuff like crazy with fresh water before drying.

 

[srusso]

Would it contain salt that would eventually ruin the soil?

I don't think it will ruin the soil... Sulfate makes up most of the salt in our salt water, right? If that is correct, I know that Magnesium Sulfate or Epsom salt is commonly used in botany.

Although I have herd that dumping your waste water from water changes on your lawn will kill it...

Anyone with some additional info here?

I feel like it b/c it is dried wouldn't that make a difference?

 

[rysher]

+1 on selling it.

sell it as rare tyree green space candy apple leaves, i bet there's a sucker that would buy it.

 

[jrp1588]

I don't think it will ruin the soil... Sulfate makes up most of the salt in our salt water, right? If that is correct, I know that Magnesium Sulfate or Epsom salt is commonly used in botany.

Although I have herd that dumping your waste water from water changes on your lawn will kill it...

Anyone with some additional info here?

I feel like it b/c it is dried wouldn't that make a difference?

Come on, we all know salt doesn't evaporate. :frog: I have no idea about the sulfate thing, I just know back in ancient times salting of your enemies fields was a popular way of ensuring they'd never reinhabit an area. I would imagine the rinsing would take away most of the salt, but I don't know how much salt the plants retain in their tissues. I know I saw a nature show once where moose liked to eat aquatic plants because of their high salt content.