Algae scrubber with no sump

H2Orchard · Jan 11, 2020

I'm looking for an algae scrubber but I don't have a sump. 33 gallon tank. What are my options? It's in my family room so would like something really quiet.

scottedontknow · Jan 11, 2020

Oh boy. It would have to be above the DT and have a pump push water up to it and let it gravity fall back to the DT

bblumberg · Jan 11, 2020

Perhaps a macroalgae (chaeto) reactor such as Arrid or Tunze? Or a DIY knockoff?

Peace River · Jan 11, 2020

H2Orchard said:
I'm looking for an algae scrubber but I don't have a sump. 33 gallon tank. What are my options? It's in my family room so would like something really quiet.

A Santa Monica upflow algae scrubber may work.

@SantaMonica

Scrubber_steve · Jan 11, 2020

H2Orchard said:
I'm looking for an algae scrubber but I don't have a sump. 33 gallon tank. What are my options? It's in my family room so would like something really quiet.

Above the tank is your only option of course.
If you have the bottom edge of the scrubber screen sitting just touching, or just below the surface of the tank water there will be zero splashing sound. & your fish will be able to dine on the growing algae.

Scrubber_steve · Jan 11, 2020

Peace River said:
A Santa Monica upflow algae scrubber may work.

@SantaMonica

Yes, good thinking.

H2Orchard · Jan 11, 2020

Scrubber_steve said:
Above the tank is your only option of course.
If you have the bottom edge of the scrubber screen sitting just touching, or just below the surface of the tank water there will be zero splashing sound. & your fish will be able to dine on the growing algae.

Do you have any suggestions of one?

H2Orchard · Jan 11, 2020

Peace River said:
A Santa Monica upflow algae scrubber may work.

@SantaMonica

I was looking at their website but all of the options were confusing. Do you have a suggestion of one?

Scrubber_steve · Jan 11, 2020

H2Orchard said:
Do you have any suggestions of one?

What country do you live in?
And would need some photos of your set up to see what your up against.

Peace River · Jan 11, 2020

Check out this page.

Which one-Which one

www.santa-monica.cc

Scrubber_steve · Jan 11, 2020

H2Orchard said:
I was looking at their website but all of the options were confusing. Do you have a suggestion of one?

The size of a scrubber is based on the square inch surface area of the screen the algae grows on, & how much you feed your tank on a daily basis in cubes equivalent. Sounds a bit confusing at first, but it's actually very simple.

H2Orchard · Jan 11, 2020

Scrubber_steve said:
The size of a scrubber is based on the square inch surface area of the screen the algae grows on, & how much you feed your tank on a daily basis in cubes equivalent. Sounds a bit confusing at first, but it's actually very simple.

Right now I'm feeding flakes. About 2 pinches a day. The lfs said not to feed frozen because then that's all the fish would eat. Not sure if that's true or not though.

Jon Fishman · Jan 11, 2020

Nobody is going to suggest incorporating a sump into his setup? It will help solve MANY problems

H2Orchard · Jan 11, 2020

Peace River said:
Check out this page.

Which one-Which one

www.santa-monica.cc

I looked there but it was hard to determine which one of those can go in the DT and what I would need.

H2Orchard · Jan 11, 2020

Jon Fishman said:
Nobody is going to suggest incorporating a sump into his setup? It will help solve MANY problems

From what I've read it would be difficult to retro fit a sump.

Scrubber_steve · Jan 11, 2020

Can I ask why you want a scrubber specifically ?

H2Orchard · Jan 11, 2020

Scrubber_steve said:
Can I ask why you want a scrubber specifically ?

I was watching the BRS videos and they said they are a good idea.

Peace River · Jan 11, 2020

H2Orchard said:
I looked there but it was hard to determine which one of those can go in the DT and what I would need.

I tagged @SantaMonica so hopefully they will respond at some point or you can reach out to them directly on their website or PM them here on R2R. Good luck!