Reefer5640
Well-Known Member
For those of you that are considering a DIY algae scrubber. Here’s my latest attempt. This ended up costing just under $100. If I had used sch40 fittings rather than sch80 I could have saved at least $20 if not more. For the base I just cut a piece of acrylic and adhered it to the bottom with Weldon 16. I drilled and tapped the holes for the lights and mounted them with nylon thumb screws. I didn’t add a valve because I’ve got a manifold off my return pump with a designated valve for the scrubber so consider that if anyone uses this part list. I can give more detail if anyone is interested in using this list of how I did certain parts. But for the most part I used a dremel to cut the container. And a tap to mount the lights with thumb screws. Those two parts were probably the only part of this project that required a little attention to detail. Aside from that, this was a super simple project that anyone could do.
Here’s the list of parts with links;
-Acrylic Container- $13
-Lights -$25 (x2)
-1/2” FNPT Lock Nut- $0.40 (x2) *The link is for a pack of 50 which is $19 for the pack. You can make these by cutting a ring off a threaded fitting if you don’t want to buy them.
-O-rings- $0.32 (x2) *Could cost more or less depending what size of pack you get or if you can find a couple o-rings laying around that work.
-1/2” FNPT x 1/2” FNPT schedule 80 union- $7.50 *I prefer the threaded but this is obviously preference of how it’s plumbed.
-1/2” Male Adapters- $6.35 (x3) *Way cheaper if you use schedule 40. I just prefer grey over white and didn’t want to paint the plumbing.
-1/2” slip 90- $5.05 *Again, cheaper with sch40
-1/2” Barbed x 1/2” MNPT Adapter- $0.70
-Mesh sheets- ~$2.00 (a couple medium sheets cost about $5.00)
Here’s the list of parts with links;
-Acrylic Container- $13
-Lights -$25 (x2)
-1/2” FNPT Lock Nut- $0.40 (x2) *The link is for a pack of 50 which is $19 for the pack. You can make these by cutting a ring off a threaded fitting if you don’t want to buy them.
Morris Products 22558 NPT Lock Nut, Nylon, 1/2" Trade Size (Pack of 50): Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific
Morris Products 22558 NPT Lock Nut, Nylon, 1/2" Trade Size (Pack of 50): Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific
www.amazon.com
-O-rings- $0.32 (x2) *Could cost more or less depending what size of pack you get or if you can find a couple o-rings laying around that work.
-1/2” FNPT x 1/2” FNPT schedule 80 union- $7.50 *I prefer the threaded but this is obviously preference of how it’s plumbed.
-1/2” Male Adapters- $6.35 (x3) *Way cheaper if you use schedule 40. I just prefer grey over white and didn’t want to paint the plumbing.
-1/2” slip 90- $5.05 *Again, cheaper with sch40
-1/2” Barbed x 1/2” MNPT Adapter- $0.70
-Mesh sheets- ~$2.00 (a couple medium sheets cost about $5.00)
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