Algae Turf Scrubber

[Bill52]

Came across this online and wondered if anyone here has ever tried it.
http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/diy/71426-algae-scrubber-basics.html

 

[Mattl22]

I wish I could build one !! I believe that a large turf scrubber is proably better than a lg skimmer !

 

[Arati]

this pops up from time to time, and it always baffles me.

So the idea is you get to choose where the algae grows, but really if it can grow in your scrubber whats to stop it growing wherever it wants? aren't the lights in the display better? at the very least we can maybe agree that you can not get the water any cleaner then it would need to be.. to grow hair algae ... with hair algae?

I know I over simplify, but this topic has had me for along time..

 

[Mattl22]

What do u think ppl do with macro ?

 

[Master Shake]

good idea but i just think that getting macro algae is easier and cheaper

 

[artie1209]

If you grow Macro Algae than it is a fuge.

 

[xxnonamexx]

It is very interesting especially if you can put it in sump and eliminate the skimmer but again you need to add more lighting 18hrs. I wonder if the cost is worth it. I would love to add it to my sump and eliminate the skimmer.

 

[SPotter]

I currently run scrubbers on both of my systems. One is a cfl bulb and the other is a closed box with red 660nm leds. theres an extensive thread on RC about it. there are a lot of guys (I am not one of them and never will be) that use these and have gone completely skimmerless and dont do water changes. I dont look at it as a way to replace the skimmer or water changes but I has allowed me to not run any reactors and the water in 80g has never been clearer. I have cut my skimmer back to 12 hrs a day though and only do water changes every other week. My n03 has been consistantly zero or very close to zero and po3 has stayed below .025 ppm and I feed pretty heavily. there are all kinds of scrubbers out there and I have seen them built for under $50.

 

[xxnonamexx]

Where have you find algae scrubbers I can't find them online for inside a sump 120gal tank. I read his extensive post good read. Thanks

 

[SPotter]

Where have you find algae scrubbers I can't find them online for inside a sump 120gal tank. I read his extensive post good read. Thanks

Its all really diy for inside tge sump. all you need is some pvc, plastic canvas, a pump and a couple of reflector lamps for the cfl bulbs and you are all set.

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[xxnonamexx]

If you saw my sump it looks like no more room unless I take skimmer out lol

How about this for lights Im against CFL. http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...ngId=-1&keyword=led+grow+lights&storeId=10051

 

[SPotter]

You don't need to spend that much on lights. there's and led screw in type bulb at hd that's rated at 6500k and sells for like 30 bucks. that's what Im using on my smaller system and its amazing.

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[xxnonamexx]

do you have a photo? Is yours in sump?

 

[Arati]

one time for people paying attention.

ABSTRACT
Declines in coral cover are generally associated with increases in the abundance of fleshy algae. In many cases, it remains unclear whether algae are responsible, directly or indirectly, for coral death or whether they simply settle on dead coral surfaces. Here, we show that algae can indirectly cause coral mortality by enhancing microbial activity via the release of dissolved compounds. When coral and algae were placed in chambers together but separated by a 0.02 ?m filter, corals suffered 100% mortality. With the addition of the broad-spectrum antibiotic ampicillin, mortality was completely prevented. Physiological measurements showed complementary patterns of increasing coral stress with proximity to algae. Our results suggest that as human impacts increase and algae become more abundant on reefs a positive feedback loop may be created whereby compounds released by algae enhance microbial activity on live coral surfaces causing mortality of corals and further algal growth.

http://www.marine.usf.edu/videos/2007-01-26.wmv

this is from this vid, i cant find the video anymore but if you google search this video you will find 100's of posts and threads all by the same guy in 2007-2008 this subject really has been beaten to death. you really should gooigle search the above link.. this guy posted global trying to hype this scrubber. imo he owned a screen company or something lol

If this thing really did what the OP(santamonica) from back then said. It would be wildly popular by now. It is just another tool in the box, it has drawbacks and good things. really though if it was as good as the multiple tool method IE: skimmer/fuge/wc/gfo/carb.. that is what we would all be doing..

this is a thread from another site a few years back , lety me preface this by saying the poster Mike O'brien is one of best reefers I have ever spoke to, I value his advice as much as prattreefs or kathys or any of the clear thinkers that post on these websites.

anyways there is also tons of great designs for scrubbers for people who want to try. one

http://www.reeflounge.com/showthread.php?t=28099

 

[xxnonamexx]

I think your right its like this http://www.aquaripure.com/

 

[henrystyle]

All you want to know about scrubbers is here.
http://algaescrubber.net/forums/forum.php?

Had mine going for 3 weeks now. No more gfo/purigen/uv sterilizer. All I have is my skimmer with it. Tank looks the same.
Just did a hanna checker p04 test. 0.08
N03- 0ppm Salifert

week 1

week 3-- green turf algae starting to come it thick.

Just built a new one. Made a few improvements so I'm starting over as of yesterday.

 

[xxnonamexx]

I thought its supposed to eliminate the skimmer? I have a 120 but trying to see if i can make one in sump

 

[SPotter]

I thought its supposed to eliminate the skimmer? I have a 120 but trying to see if i can make one in sump

A lot of people will replace the skimmer with the scrubber at some point. it takes probably 3-6 months to have a well seeded scrubber. That being said I will never replace my ATB skimmer. I use the scrubber as an additional piece of equipment that helps with nutrient export.

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[henrystyle]

If anything it will replace carbon and phosphate/nitrate removing media first.
Just put my skimmer on a timer yesterday. Only on for 12 hours a day now.