Waterfall Turf Algea Filter: CHEAP and EASY to build

[crazzy]

BRAVO
Now could we have some other experiences and facts from other experiences.

:beer:

Thanx piercho, could you post here pics etc. of your scrubber?

 

[Northside Reef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13399124#post13399124 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tmz
I think an ATS may be a decent adjunct.Any algal exudates would likely be offset by growth and export of the algae and the N and P they take up and would probably not be much different from a macroalgae refugium unless there is something about specific turf aglaes that enhance or diminish their effectivenes in this process. If there is, it has not been articualted much less explained. I have kept caulerpa and chaetomorpha both have exudates,single cell vs. multi structures aside.Both absorb N and P at varying levels.
I do not think an ATS will on it's own, especially on a small scale,obviate the need for a skimmer or even other export methods such as gfo and certainly not carbon .Just as, in my opinion a macroalgae refugia of reasonable size won't.. The need for multiple methods will vary from system to system based on the amount of feeding that is necessary to support fish and invert populations. and the level of nutrient desired depending on the types of corals being kept.There is no one size fits all in nutrient export or for that matter in desired nutrient levels.
I do not believe that excess organic phosphate is helpful or wanted and removal via skimmer is a plus. The skimmer will also remove some metals those bacteria take up and may actually help with some alleopathic compunds although I think carbon is a better bert for those.
So why can't we just talk about the ATS in terms of optimal designs and most efficient N and P exporting algaes for folks who wan't to try one out without all of the grandiose claims and vitriol. It doesn't have to make a skimmer unecessary to be useful.

Well said.

 

[truebeliever71]

Now that the thread seems to be going in the right direction I would like to throw this idea out there... for lighting what are your thoughts on the blue/red LED lights that are using in hydroponics? Like these here... http://cgi.ebay.com/225-LED-GROW-LI...LAMP-110V_W0QQitemZ300259152986QQcmdZViewItem

 

[One Dumm Hikk]

They would be an awesome application in a limited space and if they actually help it grow.

 

[miwoodar]

Looks good to me too. I would be concerned about putting it around saltwater though unless it is sealed or protected in some fashion.

 

[Northside Reef]

would like to see how well they work. I won't have my stuff set up for awhile. anyone able to try these?

 

[truebeliever71]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13403407#post13403407 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by One Dumm Hikk
They would be an awesome application in a limited space and if they actually help it grow.

The light output of them is in the 460 to 630mn range. I've been search to see if this the optimal range for turf algae but not having much luck (at least in the limited time I had to search so far.)

 

[truebeliever71]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13403710#post13403710 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by miwoodar
Looks good to me too. I would be concerned about putting it around saltwater though unless it is sealed or protected in some fashion.

It looks like they're protected... I would be building a 1 inch thick box and "sandwich" it with 2 panels.

The scrubber would be "fed" by my venturi style skimmer since it has a lot of microbubbles from it so the water will be well oxygenated.

 

[piercho]

crazzy: pictures and a brief description of my stationary, RCSD-surged turf filter are on page 9 of this thread.

 

[Northside Reef]

I’ve been considering a teeter tooter style ATS.

Here’s a link to the motor I would use:

http://www.servocity.com/html/37_rpm_gear_motor.html

Use a swivel clevis on the control arm and the screen:

http://www.servocity.com/html/servo_power_gearbox_arms.html

and let the screen teeter tooter in and out of the water. Something like this:

It’s just a quick mockup but I think you can kind of see what I’m thinking.

 

[Northside Reef]

I’ve been considering a teeter tooter style ATS.

Here’s a link to the motor I would use:

http://www.servocity.com/html/30_rpm_gear_motor.html

Use a swivel clevis on the control arm and the screen:

http://www.servocity.com/html/servo_power_gearbox_arms.html

and let the screen teeter tooter in and out of the water. Something like this:

It’s just a quick mockup but I think you can kind of see what I’m thinking.

 

[piercho]

Northside, are you using SketchUp for your models?

My requirement is that the tank can run at least 4 weeks without maintenance, which is why I shy away from dump tray style growing screens. RCSD is 100% reliable way to surge (no moving parts) but NOISY! I like your DC-motor idea but my background in servo applications is weak.

 

[miwoodar]

30 rpm sounds like it's going to make a big mess. If the swirler stein motors were available I would link you to one of them (2.5rpm continuous duty 120vac). Here's a continuous duty 9rpm 120vac gear motor for $10...

http://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?UID=2008092221574595&item=5-1583&catname=electric

 

[Northside Reef]

yeah I was wondering about 30 RPM as well they do have slower models.


here is their selection:

http://www.servocity.com/html/3-12v_gear_motors.html

piercho,

no I use SolidWorks 08.

 

[miwoodar]

That's a cool selection of motors. Do you know if they are meant to be continuous duty? It doesn't say in the description(s). If not, I wouldn't expect them to last too long before failure.

 

[One Dumm Hikk]

Put a gear pulley on the arm into the tank, then use a different size pulley on the motor to control the rpm speed of the arm itself.

 

[Northside Reef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13406042#post13406042 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by miwoodar
That's a cool selection of motors. Do you know if they are meant to be continuous duty? It doesn't say in the description(s). If not, I wouldn't expect them to last too long before failure.

yeah it's $25.00 bucks so hard to say, but I will email them and ask.

This one has some pretty good torque:

http://www.servocity.com/html/10_rpm_gear_motor1.html

I will kick the idea around some more and see what else may be out there.

Even it doesn't last long, it should last long enough for me to see how well this system works. if it's crap I'm out a few bucks. if it works but the motor gives out I'll know to invest in a better motor.

so for R&D this should be OK for at least the short term.

Any thoughts on a good RPM for the motor?

 

[miwoodar]

If it were me I would go with 2 rpm and design it to have as few moving parts as possible.

If I may ask...with a dedicated sump like that you could just do it with a dump bucket, no?

 

[Northside Reef]

I looked at a couple designs through here, I just liked the idea of the teeter-totter type, and thought a motor operating it would be cool.

I guess I can't give a better answer then I thought it would be cool

 

[Flatlander]

Like Howard, I also never noticed any "leaking"from my scrubber . The belief that someone would clean their scrubber screen into their tank, is a little much to believe.

I did use some of the better looking scrapings to feed my tangs though. I experimented with a 400gph feed pump, up to splitting a 1200gpg return pump. Never seen any difference in its filtration capacity by running more water over the turf screen.