Diy algae scrubber, what do you guys think.

[surfnsalt]

I was gonna order a hog1 but I decided to make my own scrubber. Hope it does the job. I guess I'll see in a week or two if it's making alage. I basically took a Tupperware container top and sanded it down real rough then drilled holes in it. I strapped it to a piece of 3/4" Pvc which I also drilled holes in so the water will trickle down it. I had the jbj nano glo for my refuguim anyway so I hope its enough lite. My nitrates and phosphates are never high and my cheato grows like crazy so not sure how effective it will be. Let me know what you guys think any input would be awesome.

 

[surfnsalt]

Pics

 

[Reefing Madness]

Light on both sides would be better, also, placing the light closer to the pad would do ya better also. Other than that have fun with it, once it gets going you'll love it!!

 

[surfnsalt]

Light on both sides would be better, also, placing the light closer to the pad would do ya better also. Other than that have fun with it, once it gets going you'll love it!!

Thanks for the advice. I'm looking at this light on line http://www.expressions-ltd.com/Algae_Scrubber_LED_Light_p/led-grow-light.htm

 

[nvMarco]

Thanks for the advice. I'm looking at this light on line LED Grow Light Bar for Algae Scrubbers in salt water or fresh water aquariums

I got 2 of those for my DIY scrubber and they work like a charm. You won't regret it.

 

[sir bonkers]

Looks good! I notice its kinda far away from the water. Any excessive noise issues?

 

[surfnsalt]

Looks good! I notice its kinda far away from the water. Any excessive noise issues?

Not for where my sump is located. I can't hear it when I close the cabinet door. I guess I could lower it a tad so it enters the water better. Thanks

 

[sir bonkers]

I would lower that, lower the light a little bit, and I would let it go.

 

[Turbo's Aquatics Verified Sponsor]

Never seen one using a Tupperware screen so that's a first! The Darice #7 Plastic canvas is really much better, more holes, better flow-through, and makes for a rougher surface. Plus it's like $0.50 a sheet. However it doesn't have rigidity so if you are going to run it like you have it, you might pay the canvas on top, or just leave it like it is and see what happens.

Right now your water is on the bottom side of the screen, light on the top - so that's not going to grow algae very well, unfortunately. The tupperware will block it all. You would want the holes on the other side draining on to the top of the screen (maybe there are some, but that's all you need for that setup, backside holes aren't going to help much)

One thing that raised the red flag was the tilt of the pipe. Maybe it's just the angle of the pic, but it looks like the pipe is slanted upward to the right. When you start to get algae growing, that's going to wick water like crazy to the left and that's not where you want it. :cry:

The expressions lights are good, the white LED light is not going to be best for growing algae

JMO though...let me know if you need any help

 

[surfnsalt]

Thanks so much.

 

[c.poindexter]

I have been tempted for a while to create an algae a rubber, but I have not followed through, I have all of the stuff except for lighting. I have read posts where people were using LED's with red lenses.

 

[Turbo's Aquatics Verified Sponsor]

I haven't seen very many examples of success from use of filters, but that may have been from lack of searching. You need a specific red spectrum, so I filter is going to just pick that spectrum out of the bandwidth and stop the rest, meaning your LED intensity is mainly wasted. It's more efficient and effective to just use a fixture with 660nm Deep Red chips in it.

 

[surfnsalt]

I haven't seen very many examples of success from use of filters, but that may have been from lack of searching. You need a specific red spectrum, so I filter is going to just pick that spectrum out of the bandwidth and stop the rest, meaning your LED intensity is mainly wasted. It's more efficient and effective to just use a fixture with 660nm Deep Red chips in it.

I made some adjustments to flow the water over the top and leveled it. You said the light I ordered was good correct?

 

[surfnsalt]

My new light will be here Friday.

 

[Turbo's Aquatics Verified Sponsor]

I made some adjustments to flow the water over the top and leveled it. You said the light I ordered was good correct?

The expressions light is a good one. It doesn't exactly fit the dimensions of you scrubber though, but that's fine. You want it relatively close, if you keep things in the same configuration you have, about 2" above the screen I would say.

 

[surfnsalt]

The expressions light is a good one. It doesn't exactly fit the dimensions of you scrubber though, but that's fine. You want it relatively close, if you keep things in the same configuration you have, about 2" above the screen I would say.

Will do thanks for all your help.

 

[surfnsalt]

Update day #3
Wow didn't even get my light in the mail yet.

 

[sir bonkers]

Nice! Following along.

 

[SantaMonicaHelp]

I'll be following along too. It's always nice to see somebody trying an algae scrubber for the first time. I'm sure you'll get more algae once you get those lights. Keep us posted. Feel free to ask questions. :biggrin1:

 

[joshbbert]

Do you just hook these scrubbers up to your overflow to the sump? Runs through the scrubber then to the sump skimmer ect?