DIy Algae Scrubber.. Simple Cheap Design

[iliriano]

Any update

 

[ravi197699]

This scrubber is running and producing GHA and I harvest every 2 weeks, it has been working great from day one.

 

[ravi197699]

Here is picture of the scrubber and algae grown on the screen

 

[vio]

Ravi the LEDs r 660 nm?
Thank You.

 

[ravi197699]

These led's are just Red color, I did not add any blues to it but now there are full spectrum grow leds are available in 1w and 3w,

 

[vio]

I try many times , to make Algae Scrubber , i realize , my mistake was the light spectrum, for me, Macro Algae the best light (Chaeto) is 2.700 K, but for Hair Algae is Red 660 nm, i got 2 light fix. from eBay (Red 660 nm and some blue) one is a WAY to strong, i have to back up to much from the screen , second 12" by 12", looks like is a better way, the one 12x12 is better cover (NO fan, less than $ 40)
I make (DYS) 3 shits of plastic , horizontal , Algae Scrubber , i think may work better than Vertical, the reason why , buy the time the restriction on main pipe go up , because of grow of Algae, on Horizontal way , go to next Plastic screen , longer time to control or clean the screen.
I realize the sump ( 90 Gal.), have "0" hair Algae, then i start to rinse the food (RO/DI) i introduce to my tank (300 Gal.) , i test the water before and after rinse ( Brine Shrimps , Misis , Cyclopes etc.) is like 2.300 ppm PO4 on first G. I use 1 gal. of RO/DI then second (0.32 ppm)
I will provide pics. soon.

 

[johnsonpics]

Wow!!! Just Amazing how well it works.

Now I'm wondering if I could make a Nano version for my 34gal. Where did you purchase the LED's?

 

[ravi197699]

it is simple design but works very well , it does not have to cost ton to make things work for your tank

 

[vio]

i got one LED Fix. like this, i love it, NO fans NO Ballasts , just $28 , i order 5 more.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/45W-225-LED...Indoor-Hydroponic-Plants-vs-15w-/181942757278

 

[ravi197699]

looks good? What is the size of the led fixture?

 

[vio]

Very close to the Plastic **** (12x12), for $30 is not even worth to buy LEDs, driver, fan,heat sinks etc.Not to mention take some time to put together.

 

[ravi197699]

yup, What are the exact dimensions of this fixture?

 

[vio]

yup, What are the exact dimensions of this fixture?

12' x 12" may cover 14" x 14".
i hope , you don't mind i post some pics. in your tread, but after more than 25 years, i still making mistake , i never rinse the frozen food (big mistake) i setup my Kalka. reactor direct to my show tank (big mistake, i shut put true Berlin Socks or NOT to use) i realize i got Hair Algae ONLY on show tank "o" zero in my Refuge ( 90 Gal.) I got rid most off big Fishes (7-8") still hair Algae, than i decide to make a Algae Scrubber, i try few times, i find up , i using wrong Spectrum Light , all i got in past was some brown Algae, looks like i am in right direction now.

 

[ravi197699]

Thank you for sharing VIO, I bought 4 lights from him and installed on my algae scrubber, I agree with you that these lights have punch and I have this result - this harvest is from 2 weeks of running with new leds -

 

[vio]

Not sure about your tank, but in my case, i buy 660 lb. of Live Rocks (in April) set up a new Tank , the NEW rocks release a tone of PO4, but start to slow down every week, i grow Huge amount of Chaeto, , my PH is 8.15 to 8.25, glad you like the lights.:biggrin:

 

[ourcoralreef]

Leds $20.99 on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B016B3MWMI
Im going to make a acrylic small version (for a smaller tank)

 

[ravi197699]

Not sure about your tank, but in my case, i buy 660 lb. of Live Rocks (in April) set up a new Tank , the NEW rocks release a tone of PO4, but start to slow down every week, i grow Huge amount of Chaeto, , my PH is 8.15 to 8.25, glad you like the lights.:biggrin:

I don't have any GHA in my tank or sump. But nutrients are very low in my display tank, I am going to monitor and see if they are continiously going low due to heavy growth,

 

[ravi197699]

Leds $20.99 on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B016B3MWMI
Im going to make a acrylic small version (for a smaller tank)

That is great price, I paid 22.50 for 4 delvered, These are great for growing cheato or fuge.. very low heat and wattage but great punch

 

[ourcoralreef]

I am on heavy side when it comes to food so I have no issues with that, I have been using algae scrubber from many years and never had any issue with chemicals or keeping invertebrates, right now i have 5 xl cleaner shrimps that I bought when they were tiny and 2 salifoot crabs and snails, never had issue keeping them.. I have only seen positive results

How are your nitrates

 

[ourcoralreef]

It is my understanding that hair algae puts out some pretty nasty chemicals that inhibit growth and cause all kinds of problems for the invertebrates that we keep...

I always thought that is only the case when it stays in your tank but if your constantly harvesting then you shouldn't have a problem