My DIY Hang On Glass/Acrylic Algae Scrubber

[yacn]

After reading and watching many videos I decided to build my own DYI hang on glass/acrylic algae scrubber. Total cost: $180

Supplies:
Dimmable Nano Driver w/ Potentiometer
6 - Small Aluminum LED Heat Sinks
6 - 4.5” Solderless LED Connectors
1 – Driver Jumper
1 – Solderless LED Plug
6 – Cree XP-EHE Photo Red LEDS’s (660nm)
2 – Thermal Adhesive Tubes
2 – Wago Wire Connectors
Above from Rapid LED $105 w/ shipping
4 – Neodymium Nickel Plated Bar Magnets 2”x1/4”x1/4” Magnetized Thru Thickness
4 - Neodymium Nickel Plated Bar Magnets 1”x1/4”x1/4” Magnetized Thru Thickness
Magnets cost $40 w/ shipping
2 – Containers 8”x10”x2” purchased at local grocery store with ground turkey in them
Above containers cost $16 but we made chili & turkey burgers with the ground turkey – $0 cost
1 – Roll of Foil Tape $8 Home Depot
1 – Quick Setting Epoxy $4 Home Depot
1 – 3/8” Heat Shrink Tubing - $5 Local Electronics Store
2 – Cans of Spray Paint (clear and black) I already had from other projects
1 – Plastic Canvas - $2 JoAnn Fabrics
1 – Bundle Air Line Tubing - $7 LFS
1 – Hagen Marina Elite Bubble Pipe - $9 LFS
6 – Nylon Cable Ties I already had
1 – Air Pump & Check Valve I already own



First, I assembled the lighted side. I applied foil tape to the inside of one container, cut a couple of holes into the top and bottom of the container to allow venting plus for the power cord, thermal glued the heat sinks in place, thermal glued the LED’s to the heat sinks, and then connected the LED’s & driver using the solderless connectors.

 

[yacn]

Next, I spray painted the magnets with several coats of clear enamel, wrapped them in heat shrink tubing, and sealed the ends of the tubing by almost melting the ends before crimping the them closed with pliers multiple times. I glued the smaller magnets onto the lips of the top & bottom, and the longer magnets on the sides of each container using 2-part epoxy.

 

[yacn]

Lastly, I assembled the scrubber side. I cut the plastic canvas to size and scraped it with a hole saw until it became furry/hairy on both sides. I cut or drilled holes into the container for cable ties, airline tubing, and to allow water flow throughout the container. I used cable ties to secure the plastic canvas, airline tubing, and bubble pipe in place. I spray painted the outside of this container black to prevent light from penetrating into my sump.

I’m giving the paint a week to completely dry before installing this DIY Hang On Glass/Acrylic Algae Scrubber onto my acrylic sump this weekend to try it out.

 

[yacn]

I'm hoping this helps reduce my nitrates!!

 

[k2swat]

I did one also that cost $20. Save couple hundred bucks.

 

[k2swat]

Mod please delete this post. I uploaded a wrong pic of my kid.

 

[yacn]

it probably turned out like your post....LOL

 

[heuerfan]

I'm hoping this helps reduce my nitrates!!

How is your scrubber?

 

[yacn]

I built the DYI scrubber while waiting to get one built from Turbo Aquatics.

I received the Turbo Aquatics ATS only a few weeks after hooking up my DYI.

So I hooked up the Turbo Aquatics algae scrubber and put my DYI scrubber in storage.

I didn't really get a chance to use it long enough to get any results. But the Turbo Aquatics ATS is working great so far!

 

[metasyntactic]

Mod please delete this post. I uploaded a wrong pic of my kid.

Cute kid though!