I think I should use the fans regardless. I'll go look into the aluminum plating. What would you recommend for a thermal grease? Thanks a ton for the help!
Algae Scrubber Basics
- Thread starter srusso
- Start date
I think I should use the fans regardless. I'll go look into the aluminum plating. What would you recommend for a thermal grease? Thanks a ton for the help!
Floyd R Turbo
Either busy or sleeping
Thermal grease is only useable if you secure the PCBs with screws, and for those probably anything is fine, whatever is used for PC processor heat sinks will do.
Thermal adhesive is what you would use if you were not going to screw down the PCBs. My current fav is the one-part from Momentive that Steve's LEDs carries.
Thermal adhesive is what you would use if you were not going to screw down the PCBs. My current fav is the one-part from Momentive that Steve's LEDs carries.
degibson84
New member
does anyone run GFO with their scrubber?
_shorty_
New member
During some testing and trying out of different style scrubbers and transitions to and from different scrubbers, I decided to get a GFO reactor several months ago. I've been letting my latest version scrubber screen mature and catch up, and have been running GFO on a timer. I think I run 30 mins on and 2 hours off. I'm currently still on the downwards slope of nutrients since my latest upset of an RO membrane going out on me (without a TDS meter): with NO3 at 1.5ppm, then .06 PO4. I plan to do what I can to eliminate the GFO, but will use it as long as I have to.
degibson84
New member
Will the GFO stop the growth or cause die off on the already grown algae
Floyd R Turbo
Either busy or sleeping
Much, much better!
I don't currently, so much seems to depend on the individual setup. I would say that very conservative use of GFO should not cause a problem. I'm talking a few tablespoons in a reactor, or even just in a media bag thrown in the sump in the path of flow. Not much should be needed.
Also I have read that GFO will essentially work in equilibrium, so it saturates and then will release P back when the water level is lower than the saturation level. The scrubber should take care of most of the P in the water, but sometimes not all and honestly I'm not 100% sure why that is, because it is not consistent from tank to tank. I have one tank that is choc full of rock, corals, fish, etc, fed 2 cubes/day, scrubber is the only filter, grows a ton, and N and P are always zero. I have other tanks that are not quite so perfect running the same scrubber. So go figure.
degibson84
New member
I have not heard GFO releasing phosphate back into water. I only run about one cup in a reactor change it out every 3-4 weeks. I just started running it about a month ago and my diatoms cleared up almost instantly
Floyd R Turbo
Either busy or sleeping
Well it depends on your reactor flow and availability of P. There's no rule that fits all.
_shorty_
New member
I'm assuming that if you have some readable PO4 in your system you should be okay to run GFO. Just monitor, because if you run down your PO4 too far you'll stop growing algae and NO3 will rise.
I've heard some say that PO4 will leach back into system. I've read others say that's false. I don't know. I haven't been brave enough to test it.
Running only 30mins on out of every 2.5 hours has helped me in my transitions and issues. My goal has been to tweak the timer to match my scrubber and try to get my redfield ratio (or whatever it's called). As the scrubber increases in efficiency (as it matures and as levels go down) I can cut back my timer as needed.
I've mainly needed the GFO because of different attempts at different scrubbers and transitions, and to help with a couple other issues that have come up. I'm hoping to be able to stop running it and only having it in case of emergencies in the semi-near future.
I've heard some say that PO4 will leach back into system. I've read others say that's false. I don't know. I haven't been brave enough to test it.
Running only 30mins on out of every 2.5 hours has helped me in my transitions and issues. My goal has been to tweak the timer to match my scrubber and try to get my redfield ratio (or whatever it's called). As the scrubber increases in efficiency (as it matures and as levels go down) I can cut back my timer as needed.I've mainly needed the GFO because of different attempts at different scrubbers and transitions, and to help with a couple other issues that have come up. I'm hoping to be able to stop running it and only having it in case of emergencies in the semi-near future.
Wanted to give an update. Thanks to everyone's help I have my first vertical prototype and figure'd I'd share.
The last is the screen. Its tall because it will sit in the sump and the LEDS will sit on the sump. The first is the screen with the LED unit around it but when it sits on the sump, that unit rises up to the level of the screen. I bent some acrylic to create a curved surface for the waterfall to land on, then covered that in some filter material to stop splashing. The unit is dead silent. I used drill holes every 1/8th inch to make a uniform sheet of water instead of the slot. Very easy. The LEDs are 1 watt. 48 on each side of an 8X10 screen. After 7 days there is growth on all the edges but the centers are bare. Too much light? 18 on 6 off. Wouldn't have thought from the 1 watt LEDS. Ill just keep it going and see what happens. Thoughts are appreciated.
The last is the screen. Its tall because it will sit in the sump and the LEDS will sit on the sump. The first is the screen with the LED unit around it but when it sits on the sump, that unit rises up to the level of the screen. I bent some acrylic to create a curved surface for the waterfall to land on, then covered that in some filter material to stop splashing. The unit is dead silent. I used drill holes every 1/8th inch to make a uniform sheet of water instead of the slot. Very easy. The LEDs are 1 watt. 48 on each side of an 8X10 screen. After 7 days there is growth on all the edges but the centers are bare. Too much light? 18 on 6 off. Wouldn't have thought from the 1 watt LEDS. Ill just keep it going and see what happens. Thoughts are appreciated.
Attachments
Thank you. That's what I'll do then.
About three weeks into running my scrubber and getting some good algae growth, if a bit 'clumpy'. Incidentally, my the chaeto in my fuge has almost completely crapped out since I have been running the scrubber, even though nitrates are still in the 10 range. Is loss of chaeto normal with an ATS?
PS - I do also run GFO fairly aggressively.
PS - I do also run GFO fairly aggressively.
_shorty_
New member
Nitrogen and phosphorus are both limiting factors in algae growth (usually in forms of NO3 and PO4 in our systems). So ATS vs Chaeto - will compete for those nutrients if either are in limited supply.
Have you measured PO4?
If it measures 0, I'd cut back GFO a bit, personally. Otherwise, you are most likely limiting your ATS growth and NO3 consumption. Your comment about your Chaeto is a good indication that this may be happening.
degibson84
New member
is there a good LED bulb that will screw into where my CFL was? The CFL no matter where I put it just seems to burn the screen
degibson84
New member
wil something like this work?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004BV3Q96/
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004BV3Q96/
Floyd R Turbo
Either busy or sleeping
No. This lamp has been tested and they are not 660nm LEDs, they are 630nm, and they don't work well.
From another site:
From another site:
degibson84
New member
Which ones are you recommending?
