Algae Turf Scrubber (Help)

[wolff809]

I understand how its going to work I just need help with the pluming of it. I want to try and feed it from the overflow so I dont have to buy another pump. I have read that a 1.5" bulkhead drains at 425 gph? does that seem right and its not a full siphon. I am goin to try and light it from both sides so I plan on making it either 3X10 or 5x6 or maybe a little bigger. They say for every inch of screen horizontal you need 34 gph so i should be able to get away with using only 1 of my over flows if they really drain at that speed. The problem is i have never done any kind of pluming so i have no idea how i should try and set it up.

http://i826.photobucket.com/albums/zz188/wolff809/IMG_1178.jpg

Thats were the pluming would start i have know clue what size im pretty sure its 1.5 bulkhead though.

http://i826.photobucket.com/albums/zz188/wolff809/IMG_1176.jpg

This is how it is plumed now.

http://i826.photobucket.com/albums/zz188/wolff809/IMG_1179.jpg

This is just the whole sump and the room i have to work with. If i get this scrubber running right I am going to be getting ride of the skimmer.

my main questions are what size pvc? How many bends and at what angles? How/where to put a valve so i could control the flow and stop it when i need to clean? or better yet how would you do this project?

Sorry its so long its my first project and i want to do it right the first time.

Thanks Randy

[wolff809]

Bump plz some one I want to get this built tomorrow

[hobogato]

here is a pic of the one i had on my 240

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c329/hobogato/projects/DSC04452.jpg

here is the thread. if you go one page back there is some info on it.

http://www.maast.org/showthread.php?48053-240-gallon-mixed-reef&p=672455#post672455

here is a forum all about ats

http://www.algaescrubber.net/forums/index.php?sid=530b17ade760272ec75edf40da6de801

[wolff809]

Thanks Ace do you think being fed from one 1.5" bulkhead is enough

[hobogato]

not sure. there are specs on gph per area of screen on that ats forum. i was using one drain to feed that one, but that was almost 600 gph.

[wolff809]

Yea if I do the 3x10 I would only need like 112 gph I just don't know how fast a 1.5 bulkhead drains. The max flow I would need would be 170. I guess I'll just try and if it doesn't work add the second drain

[hobogato]

one drain is half of your return pump flow if you have two equal sized drains :)

[wolff809]

Ha that would make sence so it should work as long as I stay under 5 inches as the width. And do you think I should keep it 1.5 or use 1 inch PVC

[hobogato]

1 inch will handle about 600 gph, so i think that will be big enough.

[wolff809]

Ok sounds good I am goin to try and build it tomorrow. There's going to be lots of learning going on lol. It's going to be worth it

[wolff809]

Thanks again ace I'll post some pics if I get to it tomorrow

[kkiel02]

Yeah please post pics as I am going to add a large one to my 360. Been doing ALOT of reading but would love to see your setup. I was thinking 18"x36" but still need to work out how how many gallons I will end up with.

[wolff809]

Dang that's a big sheet ha mine design is going to be really simple. I should get it done today and I'll document the best I can. Good luck with yours

[kkiel02]

Yeah mine is still a couple months out but have been researching it the last month or so. My orginal plan was to have a fuge, DSB and sump area but this may replace the fuge as the algae grows much faster thus removing nutrients faster. Plus it will keep light out of my sump area where all my reactors and skimmer will be. Ill take some pictures as mine becomes ready.

[wolff809]

Yeah mine is still a couple months out but have been researching it the last month or so. My orginal plan was to have a fuge, DSB and sump area but this may replace the fuge as the algae grows much faster thus removing nutrients faster. Plus it will keep light out of my sump area where all my reactors and skimmer will be. Ill take some pictures as mine becomes ready.

sweet! when ever i upgrade i am going to built a better and more planed out one. its taking me awhile to find some screen, the hobby lobby near my house didnt have any and neither did Michael's. so the build is on hold for a little while :(