Introducing the new Turbo Algae Scrubber! (Rev 4)

[fab]

The L8 list is pretty short. The even larger units list is even shorter. I think I have one request for an L24. I haven't decided if I'm going to include an L12 or jump straight to the L16.

This is what I am after, information on the range of sizes for these scrubbers. I am trying to determine what sizes of algae scrubber I should consider. To me this represents processing capacity for an aquarium system; i.e., for a given size aquarium and its support tanks, with a certain amount of fish and coral livestock, a quantifiable feeding regimen, kept within reasonably good water quality conditions by good husbandry methods. Processing capacity for a given aquarium means to me a measure of the rate of growth in total mass (or weight) of algae that a scrubber can produce; i.e., lbs per week or something like that. Processing capacity should range from too low to fairly optimal to excessive as scrubber size increases from too small to too large.
So what size units will you be producing? How should they differ in processing capacity or in their appropriate aquarium system size to service.

Someone has requested an L24. Could you give us an idea of why that size?

Also, I presume that your model number relates to some physical aspect of your scrubbers. Is it the number of square inches of screen material, or something like that that would indicate relative processing capacity?

 

[fab]

Do your scrubbers light both sides of the collection screen?
Does a multi-screen scrubber have lighting on both sides of each screen?

 

[Turbo's Aquatics Verified Sponsor]

Would there be benefit from injecting CO2? I provide redundantly controlled CO2 to my calcium reactor and can envision a separate feed to pass CO2 to one or more scrubbers. I know that CO2 injection is very beneficial to freshwater planted aquaria; how about for saltwater algae scrubbers?

I few have done experiments, and it seemed to make a little difference, but not a huge amount. Definitely won't hurt to let your CO2 reactor effluent roll over your scrubber intake pump. Same for skimmer effluent

Are they both male fittings to which we attach?

Correct

The discussion of a 1-1/2" pipe and valve threw me. I am surmising that they are internal to the scrubber and I will not have to deal with them except for maintenance, if at all. Is that correct?

The previous versions used a single union ball valve ($10 from Lowes) and that worked well but it was bulky and for some it was hard to get to. But yes, the new version will be easy and remotely adjustable.

Is the external plumbing interface for the L8 and larger scrubbers the same as I understand it to be for the smaller L1 and L2 scrubbers?

Correct (L2 and L4)

So what size units will you be producing? How should they differ in processing capacity or in their appropriate aquarium system size to service.

Originally waterfall scrubbers were sized according to the tank volume, 1 sq in of screen per gallon. This was superseded by the feeding guideline of 12 sq in of screen per cube fed per day (average). I add tank volume in as a secondary scaling factor. What you have to do is break free of the mindset that you need to size the filtration solely based on the size of your tank (which is what everyone else does). Food in = algae production out, and that means food volume input correlates to necessary screen size

Someone has requested an L24. Could you give us an idea of why that size?

Because they said they feed 25 cubes/day

Also, I presume that your model number relates to some physical aspect of your scrubbers. Is it the number of square inches of screen material, or something like that that would indicate relative processing capacity?

Ah, perhaps that was not clear

L2 = 2 cubes/day (24 sq in screen)
L4 = 4 cubes/day
L8 = 8 cubes/day
L16 = 16 cubes/day
L4532534 = ocean

Do your scrubbers light both sides of the collection screen?

Yes, every version I've ever built has that (the cube/day rating is based on a double-lit screen)

Does a multi-screen scrubber have lighting on both sides of each screen?

I'm not sure what you mean by multi-screen. You don't want to use 2 layers of canvas if that's what you mean, that traps waste and light can't get through from one side to the other, so that actually works against you. As far as side-by-side screens, yes all lit from both sides

 

[jason2459]

Wait L16? No, I better not.

 

[Turbo's Aquatics Verified Sponsor]

I haven't decided if I'm gong to do L12, 16, 20, 24 or if I'm going to skip 12 and 20. I think it is going to depend on driver and power supply needs.

 

[fab]

Ok! I got it all figured out now.

I'd like to have the L4532534 model. Make that quantity 2, please. I may need a backup unit on hand.

Do you have the plumbing diagram and mounting guidance for this version?

It sounds like it might be a bit too big to mount over my sump. Do you think an in-ground installation would be best?

Please do put me on your wait list for that big model. In the meantime also put me on your wait list for an L8 model so I can get practice while I figure out how to handle receiving and installing the BIG ONE.

Thanks for being so patient and answering my many questions.

Also, I still don't know the price of an L8, yet.

 

[fab]

Please post the dimensions and inlet and outlet pipe sizes and genders for the L16. Also price and anticipated availability date if you can, or at least price range for planning purposes.

I did find your dimensions and price info on the L8 by reading all the previous posts again.

 

[Turbo's Aquatics Verified Sponsor]

Inlet & outlet pipe sizes are the same for all units

I can't ballpark the larger units reliably quite yet

 

[gettaReef]

I don't suppose that this newer version is an upgrade option for your older scrubbers? I have a L2 that I've had for a while, unused, but am setting it up soon (I've spoken to you before about sending it your way for some upgrades but haven't yet). I have a 75gal system and the L2 wouldn't fit in my current sump. Well, i found a great deal for a royal exclusiv sump that I bought that also won't fit in my stand. I now have that setup to the left of my stand and now have the stand completely open. I plan to put a 20gal in the open stand, where the L2 will go, and hook the plumbing to the return section in the sump to the left. I was wondering if I could get the latest and greatest upgrades to my L2 before I hook it up. Thanks!

 

[Turbo's Aquatics Verified Sponsor]

Just an update, it's not often that I get a whole weekend to work by myself in the garage, so I while I did get a ton accomplished, it still wasn't as much as I had hoped. The devil is in the details, and I'm highly detailed. Does that make me my own devil? Anyways, I'm exhausted but before I crash out I wanted to post from progress pics

Heat sinks drilled & tapped

Example of mounted LED boards and driver for the L2 (there will be 2 sets like this for the L4)

Yes I measured and labelled template wires and sleeves...devil

One of the very few main body assembly steps - bonding in the J channels (forms a rail for the light fixtures)

Also you can see a stack of slot pipes which were drilled for the screen pin

Cured Mortar Screens soaking

While we're on the mortar screens I had a little fun with this toy I got the kids a few years back, it's a digital microscope

I had to adjust brightness and contrast of the zoomed in pics, this thing is not a laboratory microscope ya know

Here is a plain screen (phone + 100x)

Roughed up

With fresh mortar coating

Mortar after 2-3 days curing in ziplock, patted dry so you can see the rough texture

200x

Now that's what I call microscopically rough. It's no wonder this type of screen grows algae lickety split. Thanks for the insight @Paul B I owe you big time

A #4-40 threadcutter

My finger

 

[Turbo's Aquatics Verified Sponsor]

I don't suppose that this newer version is an upgrade option for your older scrubbers? I have a L2 that I've had for a while, unused, but am setting it up soon (I've spoken to you before about sending it your way for some upgrades but haven't yet). I have a 75gal system and the L2 wouldn't fit in my current sump. Well, i found a great deal for a royal exclusiv sump that I bought that also won't fit in my stand. I now have that setup to the left of my stand and now have the stand completely open. I plan to put a 20gal in the open stand, where the L2 will go, and hook the plumbing to the return section in the sump to the left. I was wondering if I could get the latest and greatest upgrades to my L2 before I hook it up. Thanks!

I get this question often and in the past I've tried to do my best to work out a trade/swap/etc but it ends up loading up my garage with used units that I can't seem to find the time to refurb and sell. The issue now is that the older versions are 100% incompatible with the Rev 4 so there's no patch kit or upgrade kit available. It's a full swap. However I do honor past promises so we'll get in touch and figure something out. I'm probably going to set up some kind of used scrubber classifieds system to allow people to re-sell old units instead of trying to handle it myself. Since I can look at a few pics and tell you what version it is and what might be missing (or need to be upgraded) that only seems to make sense.

 

[MikeyB]

That's a lot of work to do for 1 person. I can't even imagine how busy you are trying to get all of these out. You still plan on shipping the first few this week?

 

[GROSSR]

Floyd,

I have never heard of a mortar coating on the screen. I did search the web, and once you put Mortar in the search term, concrete is all that comes up.

I know of the need to rough up the screen. What is being applied to the screen and how?

Also regarding your LED's. I have read lots of info on Red and Blue LEDS exclusively for various grow lights. What is the make up of your LEDs? I have tried the cheap chineses LED and they seem to create growth on my screen.

Also, you mention previous versions. I searched this forum for L3 or L2 or L1 and only found a previous post in this thread about L2. I am sure these are previous version you have sold. I might be interested in picking up a used previous version. If you could describe what is different about the previous versions vs your L4.

thanks

rich

 

[Turbo's Aquatics Verified Sponsor]

That's a lot of work to do for 1 person. I can't even imagine how busy you are trying to get all of these out. You still plan on shipping the first few this week?

Absolutely, the first dozen or so will definitely go out this week. I was hoping to have them boxed up and ready to drop off today, but...life

I have never heard of a mortar coating on the screen. I did search the web, and once you put Mortar in the search term, concrete is all that comes up.

I know of the need to rough up the screen. What is being applied to the screen and how?

Just a quick writeup right here, I've refined the technique a little and took some video and plan on posting that, just haven't had the time to do it.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/algae-scrubber-basics.63113/page-6#post-2522930
Basically now what I do is scuff with a wire brush drill bit, then make a quick(er) pass with a saw blade to get it prickly, then slather the mortar on and massage it in (both sides), fwap the screen against a garbage can (the inside lol) then sandwich between wax paper, let cure for 2-3 days (keep it moist) then soak in water for a few days (longer if no agitation) and you're good

Also regarding your LED's. I have read lots of info on Red and Blue LEDS exclusively for various grow lights. What is the make up of your LEDs? I have tried the cheap chineses LED and they seem to create growth on my screen.

I use 660nm Deep Red Philips Luxeon ES and 420nm Hyper Violet SemiLED, both from Steve's LEDs and run the violets at 1/2 power relative to the reds

Also, you mention previous versions. I searched this forum for L3 or L2 or L1 and only found a previous post in this thread about L2. I am sure these are previous version you have sold. I might be interested in picking up a used previous version. If you could describe what is different about the previous versions vs your L4.

Try searching Turbo Algae Scrubber or Turbo Aquatics (some people mis spell and I unfortunately do not make competition swimming gear and they wouldn't sell me their name) or Turbo Aquatic, etc. The sizes are L2 and L4 and the version are Rev 1, Rev 2, and Rev 3. I haven't ever made an L1 (must have meant Rev 1)

Rev 1 used HeatSinkUSA heat sinks and a single blue LED vs 2 in parallel

Rev 2 was smaller and used the MakersLED heat sink with parallel blues. L4 was introduced.

Rev 3 changed the U-shaped cutout/cradle for the water input to the slot pipe into a threaded hole to disconnect the pump/plumbing from twisting the slot pipe, also better leak protection. Drains were also tapped for threaded connection and made (much) larger. Introduction of the metal-core printed circuit board (MCPCB) for the LED boards, with jumpers for adjusting intensity of individual pairs of LEDs.

Rev 3.5 (that's what I call it) introduced the dimmable driver board and the v2 MCPCB LED board that pair with it

Rev 4 goes back to the U-shaped cutout but addresses the twisting issue. Removable growth chamber with gasketed seal, etc...total redesign

 

[GROSSR]

floyd :

I've read the ReefCentral post on ATS, dozens of pages and haven't seen mortar mentioned. I understand the use of the mortar to get things going faster. I have a mature screen, about 1 year old, and I work to keep it wet. Thank you for the concise info. If I have to start a new screen, which I have, I will use this mortar technique to get it restarted.

thanks

rich

 

[Turbo's Aquatics Verified Sponsor]

I posted it on the basics there there also, post ID is in my signature there on all my posts. If you already have a mature screen there is no need to use it, because the mortar is a sacrificial layer that allows the screen so mature very quickly, then the mortar will release over time as you harvest the algae. The screen will fill into these areas of the canvas that are exposed, so as more canvas it exposed, that area matures, etc, until most of the mortar is gone and the screen transitions over to long-term maturity.

What I've found lately is that an even less aggressive cleaning technique will maintain the mortar a little longer. Instead of using the scraper in a forward (acute) angle to the screen (what you would normally consider "scraping" like if you were scraping ice off your windshield or shoveling the sidewalk), you can "drag" the scraper across the growth. It takes a minute longer to do this but it tends to leave a lot more growth behind, which helps keep nutrients stable after cleaning.

 

[fab]

Do you have any indicator lights on these units to indicate vital signs like power on and LEDs working?
Where is the power connector?
Where is the connector for an Apex controller?
Are there any other electrical interfaces?
Are there mounting holes? ...or how do we mount these units?

 

[fab]

How about posting photos of finished product of each model showing each side, please.

 

[Turbo's Aquatics Verified Sponsor]

Do you have any indicator lights on these units to indicate vital signs like power on and LEDs working?

Not outwardly visible, but there is some light bleed so you will be able to see that the lights are at least on

Where is the power connector?

I'll post a pics tonight of a 100% complete unit

Where is the connector for an Apex controller?

You need a separate interface board for an Apex, but that board is powered from the driver board so no additional power plug (wall wart) is needed for the Apex interface board, also you can power an Arduino from the driver board as well so you can DIY your own light controller and run it off the scrubber power supply

Are there any other electrical interfaces?

Only one connection for the light fixtures and one connection for your pump

Are there mounting holes? ...or how do we mount these units?

I will be posting info on this as soon as I can, I have had this question many times in this thread, I just haven't had time to take a step back and do this. Trying to get the first batch of units out the door, that was my weekend priority.

How about posting photos of finished product of each model showing each side, please.

Will do as soon as possible

 

[Turbo's Aquatics Verified Sponsor]