Algae Scrubber

[BoomCorals]

Hi Josh. I have read your posts with interest. To be transparent, I have a 302Aquatics Scrubber. I am a huge believer in scrubbers. I would much rather use a scrubber over dosing, using GFO....etc...

Your mention of using a slot vs small holes is interesting. As my scrubber operates, the holes get clogged and are a real pia to clean. You suggest cutting a slot using a rotary tool. I like the idea as I will be able to significantly increase flow... and coverage on the screen. With the holes, the screens will have spots that don't get as much water coverage.

Can you help me understand how your design works? Does the screen somehow sit within the slot? Also, what is your take on light cycle? I have heard from a few (302 Aquatics is one) that the light should be run 24 hours a day. I have heard from others that you should have a dark period. I run mine 24hours.... and I get a combo of slime a filamentous algae in it. I also saw another mention in another post of yours that limiting the light period would some how limit the nutrient uptake preventing an oversized scrubber from stripping the tank too much. My scrubber is oversized for my tank.... they gave me a pretty good deal when I bought it.

If you could provide some detail, I would very much appreciate it. I am really liking the slot idea... and may incorporate that into my scrubber. I am also seriously thinking about going to a 18hr on and 6 hr dark cycle.

Thoughts?

Here is a pic of the screen inserted into the slot. I happen to have a clear water scrubber myself.

 

[Bruce Burnett]

Here is a pic of the screen inserted into the slot. I happen to have a clear water scrubber myself.

you have a picture without the screen and do you know slot width. I would like to make tube with slot to test.

 

[Josh@ClearWaterScrubbers]

remember I did not say a slot is not better it is harder to do by hand to keep straight and the right width. What is the recommend slot width. If I am going to experiment what is the width.

To get a straight line it’s best to use a metallic permanent marker with a straight edge. Our slots are 3/16” wide.

 

[Beonedge]

I followed this guide - The width of the slot should be approximately 1/8" wide

 

[Bruce Burnett]

To get a straight line it’s best to use a metallic permanent marker with a straight edge. Our slots are 3/16” wide.

how well does the slot work on a 24 inch spray bar? Does it weaken the pvc does the slot close or open because of the length and flexing. What is the largest scrubber you make

 

[Josh@ClearWaterScrubbers]

how well does the slot work on a 24 inch spray bar? Does it weaken the pvc does the slot close or open because of the length and flexing. What is the largest scrubber you make

Any spray bar that long is going to sag without some sort of support bracing. I wouldn’t send one out without it. The picture of my personal scrubber has a 27” spray bar but it’s also 3/4”. I put a brace in and divided the screens into 2 slots. That might help stop the sag but I’m surprised there isn’t some sort of bracing with a spray bar that long.

 

[Josh@ClearWaterScrubbers]

Our longest standard pipe is 14”. Anything over that gets additional bracing inside the growth chamber.

 

[Bruce Burnett]

Our longest standard pipe is 14”. Anything over that gets additional bracing inside the growth chamber.

it does have a support but not really needed as it is 3/4"

 

[Salt1972]

Does anybody use a table saw to cut the slot? Set blade depth to the side wall and the fence at 1/2 diameter and run a pass... that'll be about 3/16" (blade width) and very straight.

 

[Salt1972]

I have an old acrylic filter sump that I was considering re-tasking as an ATS. It's 10" wide. I have (2) Kessil H80 lights. If I run a 1/2" drip pipe with slot and screen will the lights be too far away?

 

[Josh@ClearWaterScrubbers]

Does anybody use a table saw to cut the slot? Set blade depth to the side wall and the fence at 1/2 diameter and run a pass... that'll be about 3/16" (blade width) and very straight.

The slot cannot run the entire length of the pipe tho. Kinda cutting in the dark doing it with a saw.

 

[Josh@ClearWaterScrubbers]

I have an old acrylic filter sump that I was considering re-tasking as an ATS. It's 10" wide. I have (2) Kessil H80 lights. If I run a 1/2" drip pipe with slot and screen will the lights be too far away?

I wouldn’t want the lights over 4-5 inches away from the screen.

 

[Bruce Burnett]

Does anybody use a table saw to cut the slot? Set blade depth to the side wall and the fence at 1/2 diameter and run a pass... that'll be about 3/16" (blade width) and very straight.

the slot is only supposed to be same length as screen and pvc tends to get gummy and hangs up or goes flying. Laser cut works well if you know someone.

 

[Terry DeMott]

ok have my scrubber setup anyone have the CW-300 External Algae Scrubber do you have water in the drain I have 3 inches in the drain section. also what is your flow rate at thx.

 

[Josh@ClearWaterScrubbers]

ok have my scrubber setup anyone have the CW-300 External Algae Scrubber do you have water in the drain I have 3 inches in the drain section. also what is your flow rate at thx.

It’s going to hold water in the drain area of the growth chamber. I’ll take a video of a cw300 we have running at a store to show you.

 

[hubble]

I think since I have my scrubber out I'll try and turn the holes in the spray bar into a slot. I like that design better

 

[Bruce Burnett]

i have read pros and cons on both types but you have to be careful making the slots if the screen fits to loose you won't get good flow across the whole width or require a bigger pump. If too narrow then it clogs to easy.

 

[hubble]

Ok. Think I'll try a 1/8" slot first and see how that works.

 

[SantaMonica]

i made one using supplies from rapid led based on the DIY king videos

I think they are pretty similar in terms of nutrient export. The turf scrubber probably has an edge in that its sturdier.

A scrubber is about five times the nutrient pulling power of chaeto. So if the chaeto is 5x the size, they will be about the same filtration.

Personally I wouldn't make a Algae reactor out of a cheap Media Reactor, your liable to run into issues

Not just that, but also the cheap Chinese bolt-on lights. They are not waterproof at all, and slowly accumulate salt creep into the 120/240 line voltage area.

Why not just try a DIY one

Exactly. The waterfall I invented, that everyone builds, can be found by googling "mega powerful nitrae and phosphate filter - free" or similar. It had a lot of problems because it was designed for the one tank I was running in the year 2008, but the plans are free and so that is what other DIY, and sell, today.

And here is the upflow I invented in 2011, that Joey DIY used:

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/l...urf-and-slime-algae-from-your-aquarium.86207/

And here is an ongoing comparision of chaeto to scrubbers:

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/chaeto-reactors-compared-to-algae-scrubbers.325964/

I'll try and turn the holes in the spray bar into a slot. I like that design better

Slots stay un-clogged much longer.

only other export is skimmer no water changes

Great about the water changes. But remember that skimmers only export food, particles, not nutrients.

This slime algae is some nasty smelly stuff

If you smell anything while it's running, the flow is way too little.

The kinds of algaes we want to grow on our scrubbers need a "no light" period I think?

All algae need a dark period. But if it's thick enough, it gets a dark period on it's own. Not very efficient though, because dark does not grow.

Slot or hole design they all get clogged up

Eventually, yes. That's where the ease-of-cleaning comes into play. Or an underwater upflow.

You suggest cutting a slot using a rotary tool

Yes, this is the standard way I created in 2008.

Can you help me understand how your design works

My original waterfall design from the year 2008 can be found by googling "mega powerful nitrate and phosphate filter - free to diy".

I run mine 24hours.... and I get a combo of slime a filamentous algae in it

Needs dark time, in this case.

Here is a pic of the screen inserted into the slot.

That screen needs a lot of roughing up.

do you know slot width

Most slots should be 1/8" (3mm) for standard plastic canvas. For our 3D printed screens, they need a little more.

how well does the slot work on a 24 inch spray bar

The very first waterfall in the world, our in 2008, used a 24 inch 1" dia bar. It did flex but worked well. I would not sell it though.

Does anybody use a table saw to cut the slot

Dangerous, but yes. Safer is a router and a guide rail.