DIY Space Saving Algae Scrubber

[burban94]

Thought I would share my space saving algae scrubber. Made from from 4" pvc pipe and 1" pvc sections to make the lamp holders. I had one of the Tunze refugium leds on hand already so I just ordered a second for a two sided screen setup. It took simple tools to build. A chop saw, dremel, pipe cutters. It could probably be done with just a dremel if one has a steady hand. Haven't had this one wet just yet but I did build an earlier proof of concept that worked.

 

[burban94]

Pics....

 

[burban94]

This is from the proof of concept. It was fed form just one 1/4" line that is tied into my return line.

 

[Garf]

This is from the proof of concept. It was fed form just one 1/4" line that is tied into my return line.

Nice design. A light blocker to prevent algae growing in the slot would be advantageous, especially with limited water delivery. Good luck

 

[burban94]

Good idea.

 

[Hot2na]

i've always thought these short wide screens are NOT the way to go ... longer narrower is best ...more contact time , etc...

 

[Ratherbeflyen]

I made a similar scrubber out of 4" pvc and an airstone for my QT tank. The unintended side effect was it also worked as a skimmer.

I also tried just putting a piece of 4" pvc in front of a hang on back filter. Letting the bubbles from the flow get air to the algae.

I eventually gave up on scrubbers for QT and went with a ball of cheato and a cfl.

 

[burban94]

i've always thought these short wide screens are NOT the way to go ... longer narrower is best ...more contact time , etc...

I could be wrong, but my thinking tells that drop of water will have more contact time running down 12" of screen versus 4". My is screen is 4"x12" btw.

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

Nicely done!!

 

[doubleshot00]

Im so intrigued about this as i had a similar idea until i found this thread. Do you have this just sitting in a chamber in your sump?

 

[burban94]

Yes, it just sits in the sump.

 

[Fishineer]

This is from the proof of concept. It was fed form just one 1/4" line that is tied into my return line.

Did you rough up the plastic mesh at all with sand paper or is that just stock? Also where do you get the mesh? I have refugium in my set up but I feel like I want to try a DYI scrubber next.

 

[burban94]

I roughed the screen up with some 20 grit sandpaper I had and ordered the screen from Amazon, though any craft store should carry it. You may get lucky and find some at Walmart in the sewing section.

 

[trevorhiller]

Very nice! I enjoy working with PVC, it's quite satisfying. I might have to try to make one of these. What size tank did you put this on and how's it working for you? Are you still using it?

 

[burban94]

Tank is a 40 gallon breeder. Yes, I am still using but I just had to restart it. I turned off the flow pump for a few days and dried it out.

 

[Jasongtr]

Love this, been thinking all day about a specific housing size and design and this upright thinking is great from a space saving idea