arkansasboy
Reefer Wannabe
Here is my algae scrubber.
My DIY algae scrubber
- Thread starter arkansasboy
- Start date
little_fish
Moderator
looks good! you are going to love having it!
Fireplug
Reefing newb
Great job!!!!. Still dont know if I want one of those or just a fuge with cheato. Can anyone inform us any pro's and cons to each.
arkansasboy
Reefer Wannabe
I got home today and I was surprised with algae growth on my screen! WooHoo!
BL1
.............
Congrats! Looks good
arkansasboy
Reefer Wannabe
I am getting water splash so its time to build a splash guard. I cut the pieces earlier but the game is about to start so I will build it during the game.
arkansasboy
Reefer Wannabe
So I built a splash guard(2 piece) from 1/4" acrylic for the AS and it didnt quite work like I had hoped. After a week the water was still splashing everywhere and it finally ruined both my bulbs so today it was time to try to fix that mess.
The biggest problem was on the right side since the water is being pulled that direction anyway and when it comes off the scrubber screen, which does go into the water, and flows across the sump baffle it creates alot of large bubbles so I cut a new piece of acrylic and added it to the right side splash guard. I made it a little long so it went into the water 2-3 inches thus creating a baffle of sorts which totally took care of any splashing. Now the flow is smooth with no water splashing anywhere.
Also, I went ahead and switched to a different kind of CFL bulb. The new ones are still the curly CFL but they are encased inside of there own reflector glass. They are still 26w but are floods. I also took someones advice and siliconed the lights in the fixtures and repositioned them more accurately to get them 4" off of the screen. Here are some pics of the newer setup.
The biggest problem was on the right side since the water is being pulled that direction anyway and when it comes off the scrubber screen, which does go into the water, and flows across the sump baffle it creates alot of large bubbles so I cut a new piece of acrylic and added it to the right side splash guard. I made it a little long so it went into the water 2-3 inches thus creating a baffle of sorts which totally took care of any splashing. Now the flow is smooth with no water splashing anywhere.
Also, I went ahead and switched to a different kind of CFL bulb. The new ones are still the curly CFL but they are encased inside of there own reflector glass. They are still 26w but are floods. I also took someones advice and siliconed the lights in the fixtures and repositioned them more accurately to get them 4" off of the screen. Here are some pics of the newer setup.
Attachments
arkansasboy
Reefer Wannabe
So I built a splash guard(2 piece) from 1/4" acrylic for the AS and it didnt quite work like I had hoped. After a week the water was still splashing everywhere and it finally ruined both my bulbs so today it was time to try to fix that mess.
The biggest problem was on the right side since the water is being pulled that direction anyway and when it comes off the scrubber screen, which does go into the water, and flows across the sump baffle it creates alot of large bubbles so I cut a new piece of acrylic and added it to the right side splash guard. I made it a little long so it went into the water 2-3 inches thus creating a baffle of sorts which totally took care of any splashing. Now the flow is smooth with no water splashing anywhere.
Also, I went ahead and switched to a different kind of CFL bulb. The new ones are still the curly CFL but they are encased inside of there own reflector glass. They are still 26w but are floods. I also took someones advice and siliconed the lights in the fixtures and repositioned them more accurately to get them 4" off of the screen. Here are some pics of the newer setup.
The biggest problem was on the right side since the water is being pulled that direction anyway and when it comes off the scrubber screen, which does go into the water, and flows across the sump baffle it creates alot of large bubbles so I cut a new piece of acrylic and added it to the right side splash guard. I made it a little long so it went into the water 2-3 inches thus creating a baffle of sorts which totally took care of any splashing. Now the flow is smooth with no water splashing anywhere.
Also, I went ahead and switched to a different kind of CFL bulb. The new ones are still the curly CFL but they are encased inside of there own reflector glass. They are still 26w but are floods. I also took someones advice and siliconed the lights in the fixtures and repositioned them more accurately to get them 4" off of the screen. Here are some pics of the newer setup.
Attachments
arkansasboy
Reefer Wannabe
I used a 2-part epoxy to glue it all up. There may be something else better. I started with the dark brown stuff but several days ago I started getting some green.
arkansasboy
Reefer Wannabe
Can anyone tell me what would cause the algae to grow in small clumps on the screen? And also, how far into the slit of the PVC do you put the screen? I came home today to my tank close to overflowing because the PVC pipe with the screen was plugging up with algae. I cleaned it immediately, took the screen out of the PVC and re-attached it so it was just below the slit. Before, I had it about 1/2 inch inside the slit.
I push myn all the way up as far as it can go. I have noticed when it gets dirty the water starts spitting on one side, but thanks to the spray guard it doesn't get that messy. Since I didn't add a union fitting to the ats, I either scrub the slit with a toothbrush, or q-tips, then it's good to go.. Hmm
arkansasboy
Reefer Wannabe
Ahhhh, a toothbrush. Thats a good idea. I do have a union but it would be nice to do a little touchup maintenance if needed.
R3verb
Time to add some coral!
newby question, what does an algae scrubber do?
arkansasboy
Reefer Wannabe
I would start reading the thread by Santa Monica on the Algae Scrubber.
https://www.livingreefs.com/mega-powerful-nitrate-and-phosphate-remover-diy-t16734.html
