DIY Algae scrubber

[Reesj]

Hi guys.
I'm new to salt water and setting up my 1st saltwater aquarium 50 gallon with 20 gallon sump. (Cycled and added 1st few fish today.)

I'm trying to build a algae scrubber as salt water stuff are hard to come by to Sri Lanka and once that are here are really expensive.
I'm making a HOB one with 7w of 1W LED(5red 1blue 1white).
And I have a few questions,

1. Can I use a aluminium sheet on the inside panel on plastic? This will increase the efficiency no doubt(I'm covering outside panel with them)
Problem is I don't know if a think aluminium sheet with react badly on salt water to the water.
2. Should I use algae scrubber this early on in the build? I have not yet put on my proper lights as still waiting for few items on diy and no corals yet.
I keep thinking if this would make the coraline algae to not grow on DT. I'm trying to add this early as i dont want DT covered in intial algae phase.

Thanks.

 

[crusso1993]

Hi guys.
I'm new to salt water and setting up my 1st saltwater aquarium 50 gallon with 20 gallon sump. (Cycled and added 1st few fish today.)

I'm trying to build a algae scrubber as salt water stuff are hard to come by to Sri Lanka and once that are here are really expensive.
I'm making a HOB one with 7w of 1W LED(5red 1blue 1white).
And I have a few questions,

1. Can I use a aluminium sheet on the inside panel on plastic? This will increase the efficiency no doubt(I'm covering outside panel with them)
Problem is I don't know if a think aluminium sheet with react badly on salt water to the water.
2. Should I use algae scrubber this early on in the build? I have not yet put on my proper lights as still waiting for few items on diy and no corals yet.
I keep thinking if this would make the coraline algae to not grow on DT. I'm trying to add this early as i dont want DT covered in intial algae phase.

Thanks.

First off, I do not recall seeing an introductory message from you in the "Meet and Greet" thread, so welcome to R2R! I do recommend intoducing yourself so you can get a proper welcoming to the site.

1.) I would definitely NOT use any aluminum in your DIY ATS or anything else for your tank. It will contaminate your system. Definitely go with something plastic.

2.) I've seen people put an ATS on their systems from very early on with success. I've also seen them added at a much later time and everything in-between. I would think you could add one effectively after adding some fish.

Once again, welcome and good luck!

 

[Reesj]

Thanks man. Humm I did not know that (see that). I posted on new to saltwater and reef section about my setup.
I will go post there now.

 

[Darth.Daddy12]

Hi guys.
I'm new to salt water and setting up my 1st saltwater aquarium 50 gallon with 20 gallon sump. (Cycled and added 1st few fish today.)

I'm trying to build a algae scrubber as salt water stuff are hard to come by to Sri Lanka and once that are here are really expensive.
I'm making a HOB one with 7w of 1W LED(5red 1blue 1white).
And I have a few questions,

1. Can I use a aluminium sheet on the inside panel on plastic? This will increase the efficiency no doubt(I'm covering outside panel with them)
Problem is I don't know if a think aluminium sheet with react badly on salt water to the water.
2. Should I use algae scrubber this early on in the build? I have not yet put on my proper lights as still waiting for few items on diy and no corals yet.
I keep thinking if this would make the coraline algae to not grow on DT. I'm trying to add this early as i dont want DT covered in intial algae phase.

Thanks.

Idk the brand lights your talking about or true power but that seems way underpowered is at min double that and reduce pho period. Personally I’m moving from the red blues to more a traditional 6500k bulb as I’m finding it might not grow as fast but for some reason ime it removes more nutrients from the water.. what I do know is planted tanks run 6500 lighting soo...

Idk why but ime the upflow design for me seems to be more efficient at nutrient removal over water fall even though water fall grows faster.

All this said.. I’ve never had issues what regular cheato couldn’t deal with in salt system. I only use scrubbers on freshwater.

 

[laverda]

Look for my diy thread on ATS for very cheap for some ideas.

 

[Darth.Daddy12]

Look for my diy thread on ATS for very cheap for some ideas.

Funny thing and true story I was just reading up on your original back I the day ats build earlier lol. You’re actually one of the reasons I commented about over lighting cause you had a working system then changed lighting several times and killed off the screen. Glad to see after all this time you’re still using the system as I know you had to restart several times early on because of various issues like a bad tank sitter lol. “Should’ve told them to call if the tank sounds like a freight train” anyways that thread was good reading and I always enjoy turbos input as he unlike some others take a normal diy approach from it works and is good enough wo saying no this is crap and buy my product I sell like some others I won’t mention.

 

[Reesj]

I already set up the scrubber 3 days ago. It was modeled mostly after king of DIY youtube video(2nd) with few upgraded modifications.
I used 9W of light (7.5 red, 1.5 cool white). But there isnt even the slightest hint of lagae on it. Or the display tank for it.
I have had 3 similar damsels in tank for now about 8-9 days underlower light.

Look for my diy thread on ATS for very cheap for some ideas.

Can you please link me the tread. I'm sure I can learn quite a bit from it.