Just bought IceCap Algae Scrubber

andyg1960 · Sep 17, 2019

RJ F. said:
I'm thinking about returning it. I feel like I could make one better for the cost of this

Well, algae scrubbers have got to be one of the most if not the most DIY'd pieces of aquarium equipment. I'm just too lazy

andyg1960 · Sep 17, 2019

@Jeff@CoralVue you wanted to be tagged on these discussions so looping you in.

RJ F. · Sep 17, 2019

andyg1960 said:
@Jeff@CoralVue you wanted to be tagged on these discussions so looping you in.

I didnt know they were on here. I'll post some pics of my issue. When I get home I'll takes some pics of the drilled holes too. They aren't even. I wish I took a video of it running so I could show the sparce water contact. I hope I'm not coming across as rude or anything. Just a little bummed for the price

homer1475 · Sep 17, 2019

If you look up @Turbo's Aquatics website about DIY algae scrubbers, or even the old thread on RC, you can see he experimented with holes Vs. a slot in the pipe and why the slot was far better in performance long term. And why he includes a light blocker that clips onto the slot pipe.

andyg1960 · Sep 17, 2019

RJ F. said:
I didnt know they were on here. I'll post some pics of my issue. When I get home I'll takes some pics of the drilled holes too. They aren't even. I wish I took a video of it running so I could show the sparce water contact. I hope I'm not coming across as rude or anything. Just a little bummed for the price

Not rude at all. If you’re having issues that’s what this forum is for or at least one of the things it’s for. Jeff has been tagged on a different thread regarding algae scrubbers from ice cap And he’s been very involved and helpful. It’s a new product and there’s a learning curve for everyone. Give him a little time to respond and see what he has to say

andyg1960 · Sep 17, 2019

RJ F. said:
I didnt know they were on here. I'll post some pics of my issue. When I get home I'll takes some pics of the drilled holes too. They aren't even. I wish I took a video of it running so I could show the sparce water contact. I hope I'm not coming across as rude or anything. Just a little bummed for the price

What is the diameter of that pipe? Looks like 1/2” pvc? If so it would be interesting to take another piece of half-inch pipe and Dremel a slot into it to see what happens that way you’re not voiding your warranty if you do choose to send it back. You could probably get a good idea of what the flow would be like even without attaching the screen right?

RJ F. · Sep 17, 2019

Its metric. I tried already. 1/2 pvc wont fit into the elbow

Peace River · Sep 17, 2019

RJ F. said:
Its metric. I tried already. 1/2 pvc wont fit into the elbow

One possibly is to get a 20mm to 1/2” PVC adapter.

RJ F. · Sep 17, 2019

Like a spigot fitting? There isnt any room for that. Also I shouldn't have to get anything. This was supposed to be a complete unit. I want to hear back from them before I do anything

Water Dog · Sep 17, 2019

Though it shouldn’r be necessary for a brand spanking new product, if you're into DIY, I’d run to Home Depot and fashion a new standard plumbing slot pipe and feed plumbing complete with a new valve. That way, the stock feed plumbing is untouched and is returnable (If that’s an option).

andyg1960 · Sep 17, 2019

Water Dog said:
Though it shouldn’r be necessary for a brand spanking new product, if you're into DIY, I’d run to Home Depot and fashion a new standard plumbing slot pipe and feed plumbing complete with a new valve. That way, the stock feed plumbing is untouched and is returnable (If that’s an option).

That vertical feed pipe portion with the valve is glued into place unfortunately

Water Dog · Sep 17, 2019

andyg1960 said:
That vertical feed pipe portion with the valve is glued into place unfortunately

Ugh, that stinks!

RJ F. · Sep 17, 2019

Lol everything is glued except the water fall pipe... that leaks

blue.flyzz · Sep 17, 2019

plagued with GHA in my 125 I decided to add one 3 years ago. I followed the King of DIY guide, it's propped against the glass on the inside of my sump and on the outside I have the Marineland LED light on the outside of the sump that runs on a timer from 4PM to 8AM. GHA disappeared in about a month and I've basically stopped testing for nitrates and phosphates after testing 0 for both for almost a year

RJ F. · Sep 17, 2019

blue.flyzz said:
plagued with GHA in my 125 I decided to add one 3 years ago. I followed the King of DIY guide, it's propped against the glass on the inside of my sump and on the outside I have the Marineland LED light on the outside of the sump that runs on a timer from 4PM to 8AM. GHA disappeared in about a month and I've basically stopped testing for nitrates and phosphates after testing 0 for both for almost a year

I saw this but the reason I didnt go with it is I was afraid of the salt creep from the air stone. How's your salt creep

blue.flyzz · Sep 17, 2019

RJ F. said:
I saw this but the reason I didnt go with it is I was afraid of the salt creep from the air stone. How's your salt creep

None....take a look

blue.flyzz · Sep 17, 2019

RJ F. said:
I saw this but the reason I didnt go with it is I was afraid of the salt creep from the air stone. How's your salt creep

I bought a recycle can at staples and the knitting pad from Michael's in total it cost me under 30 bucks to make

https://www.staples.com/Brighton-Professional-Recycling-Container-Blue-7-gal-22174-19207/product_266429

RJ F. · Sep 17, 2019

So it's been 24 hrs and no update on what's going on. I'll keep everybody posted when I hear something.

Water Dog · Sep 17, 2019

That’s a shame. On the surface, it had the right looks and price point. Just a very poor execution of delivering an even sheet of water to the screen for efficiently growing GHA, which is the whole point. Why they chose holes over the tried and true slot pipe is quite mind boggling.