Has anyone made a successful centrally-lit Algae Reactor?

OhMatic Jr · Dec 13, 2016

Has anyone had success with a DIY centrally-lit Algae Reactor?

Pola0502ds · Dec 13, 2016

Talking about this?
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/new-chaeto-reactor-beta.257206/

or this:

http://uniquecorals.com/dry-goods/p...e-based-bio-absorption-filtration-system.html

I want to make one so bad. I really want to get the cheato out of my sump and keep it contained. I have been toying around with the idea of making something similar because I have access to flexible LED lights that are of high quality.

If you search around there are a few threads of people making their own.

OhMatic Jr · Dec 14, 2016

You mentioned you have access to high quality Flexible LEDs
Which lights are you referring to?
I have made some algae reactors but I have not been happy with their results.

Pola0502ds · Dec 14, 2016

I am a project manager for a cabinet computer for lighting and cabinets go hand in hand. The brand I am referring to is Loox Lighting made by hafele, a german company, and they are top notch. However, i'm not sure about this but if the lights need to give off UV they won't. Can anyone confirm is this is the case?

OhMatic Jr · Dec 15, 2016

I'm no lighting expert but I can confirm you do not need UV light to grow chaeto.
Although I have used three different LED lights in my algae reactors I have not been impressed.
I recently did try some lights that have red, blue, white, UV and IR and am on day 5 of testing if

Pola0502ds · Dec 15, 2016

OhMatic Jr said:
I'm no lighting expert but I can confirm you do not need UV light to grow chaeto.
Although I have used three different LED lights in my algae reactors I have not been impressed.
I recently did try some lights that have red, blue, white, UV and IR and am on day 5 of testing if

make sure you report back when you harvest or in a few weeks. Would be interested to know what comes of the new lights.

OhMatic Jr · Dec 25, 2016

Hard to compare.
I added more light/watts with the addition of UV.
More light =More algae growth. I don't think it's because of the added UV light.

OhMatic Jr · Dec 26, 2016

I recently cleaned it out and and changed the lights.

claims to be 150watts...

Pola0502ds · Dec 27, 2016

Where do you buy lights like that from?

OhMatic Jr · Dec 27, 2016

I got this one from china,
http://www.ebay.com/itm/26266578948...49&var=561576845703&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
I had to modify it a bit to fit my reactor. And add a fan

Nolan Shinn · Dec 27, 2016

Why not wrap a clear acrylic cylinder in these?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00H...ight+strip&dpPl=1&dpID=51WPp6leVvL&ref=plSrch

OhMatic Jr · Dec 27, 2016

Those lights are not the ideal spectrum...
The issue I had with putting the lights on the outside/around the cylinder was I had to clean algae off the inside of a cylinder. It's easier cleaning an inner smaller cylinder that you can remove and easily take to the sink.
Also the lights add heat and having the lights closely centered it's easier to cool them.

Diesel · Dec 27, 2016

Great ideas for a DIY algae reactor!

Pola0502ds · Dec 27, 2016

So where exactly are you at with this prototype? Have you had success growing any and removing nutrients from your tank? Do you have a pic from your harvest?

OhMatic Jr · Dec 29, 2016

I have been using algae reactors since May16. The reactor in the pic is running, This particular light has been running for only about a week.
I don't have any pictures of the chaeto harvests, but they were not impressive. My ATS does a much better job.
If these lights don't make a significant difference I will probably give up on the reactor idea and stick with Algae Scrubbers.

Pola0502ds · Dec 29, 2016

I dont have a reactor, right now i use cheato in my fug with a maxspect C35a algae grow light. I have amazing results. I can fill a 2 gallon bucket every month. Just a little side note. But i want the cheato out of my fug and thats why i want a reactor.