Algae Scrubber

[Carz]

So I upgraded to a 250 gallon. I made the stand, the sump the ATO tank, frag tank and I decided to make a algae scrubber. I never used one, but thought this may be the way to go instead of cheato in the fuge. I did some research and then did some cadd drawings and made a mock up. After all that I started on the real deal. I finished my home made scrubber today and got it up and running. I really am not sure what to expect with algae growth since the tank is kinda new. I did dump all the contents from my 75 into the new 250 and things are doing well. I am hoping for some algae (imagine that....hoping for algae). I bought some lights off of amazon that have some good colors. I am in the testing phase as of tonight. This was my first scrubber I ever made and wanted some thoughts on what to change. Please ignore the mess of my sump and all of the wires. I am a neat freak and this is killing me. The system is only 2 weeks old and I am adding and tweaking every day. Also please ignore the the fancy 2inch painters tape hinge. I ordered black acrylic ones from amazon and got pony tail bands.

I posted this elsewhere so excuse the double post...

 

[leepink23]

Does it have 1 drain or 2? Needs2nd emergency drain. That looks great though

 

[Carz]

There are two drains. I did not have the bulkhead to install for the emergency overflow, but the hole is there.

 

[leepink23]

There are two drains. I did not have the bulkhead to install for the emergency overflow, but the hole is there.

Well great job then. I love my scrubber. I like a light blocker for the top of the screen, as well as using pvc rings for easy screen removal instead of zip ties

 

[Peace River]

Really nice work! Did you put holes in the spray bar or cut a slot? That maybe one more thing to experiment over time - some times the holes can get clogged.

 

[Carz]

I milled the pvc pipe with a solid slot. I was not drilling holes. from my research that was the big complaint. the holes clogged up.

 

[Carz]

This really burns my butt......I glued the clear acrylic on the outside of the black. and the light glows in this area. I will change this for sure on the next one. The sides are actually clear acrylic with a black pvc vinyl overlay for the light hole.

 

[Will Wohlers]

Want to try this myself. I'd say you did a fine job. Care to share a link to the lights purchased?

 

[Carz]

 

[Urtoo]

Holy cow man! That look great.
How thick is the acrylic?
Do the led’s warm the acrylic up or are they cool to the touch?

I have been looking at ATS for a bit, I would live no chaeto in the sump toJeep things cleaner as well.

thanks for the post and build idea

 

[Carz]

everything is 1/4" cast acrylic and the lights are cool to the touch. I do plan on selling a few in the home made forum here, so keep me in mind.

 

[User]

everything is 1/4" cast acrylic and the lights are cool to the touch. I do plan on selling a few in the home made forum here, so keep me in mind.

I'll be keeping keeping eye out.

 

[Carz]

I started testing this on the 24th and we have growth.....

 

[Devaji]

nice! I am a big fan of ATS!

did you scrape up the screen? if not you need to do that IMHO
what is your lighting schedule? if your tank is pretty new you may ( depending on nutrients) need to reduce lighting time to get the green stuff growing.

 

[Carz]

I did sand the screen up pretty good. I have been running the light 24/7 but I am going to change it now that there is some growth started.

 

[FishProf]

Not meaning to hijack the thread, but got a question: What's the required wattage lighting? I found a "450w! [really, 150w] 3-stack grow light LED. That thing is bright and gives quite a bit of heat. I got two, one for each side of my planned algae scrubber. -> is this too much??

 

[Torres reef]

everything is 1/4" cast acrylic and the lights are cool to the touch. I do plan on selling a few in the home made forum here, so keep me in mind.

How did you cut acrylics? Is a knife good enough for 1/4”?

 

[Carz]

not at all. need an acrylic saw blade or you need to run it on the jointer after cutting. The cut needs to be pretty smooth.