Homemade DIY algae turf scrubber.

[Scutterborn]

Ok. I've succumb to this idea and decided to implement it. I had everything but the light and fixtures to do this project and I said "Why the heck not?"

I did as simple a design as I could to minimize uncirculated water.

I didn't take many pics as I was building it. It honestly only took me about 15 minutes to source out the correct bits and pieces of 1" PVC from my "bucket o' parts".

I used a quietone 4000 pump, Way overkill, a ball valve and union. Oh yeah, bits of 1" PVC. Basically what I came up with was this. http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/08/31/9ena6yzy.jpg

I soon realized there was quite a bit of errant spray from my quick job. So I decided to build a spray shield out of some scrap acrylic I had laying around.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/08/31/ymatebud.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/08/31/u5yneda6.jpg

Unfortunately I was still getting the reflectors wet and that caused me some concern. So I built another spray shield.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/08/31/ady8ara9.jpg

Works much better now. I'll keep y'all posted on the progress. I've read that you likely won't see a lot of growth in the first several days.

Also, for the record, these are the bulbs and reflectors I got at Lowes. http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/08/31/re3u4ypu.jpg


- Ben -

[BBQHILLBILLY]

good job Ben this should be fun to watch

[Scutterborn]

good job Ben this should be fun to watch

Probably about as much fun as watching grass grow. Lol.

I just hope it does what all these folks are saying it'll do.

[LuckySingh]

Great job ben . !!!!! Very clean

[Dean]

Looks good Ben. I don't think we have seen any pics of the new tank since you set it up...

[Scutterborn]

Uh, yeah... Let's see how the ATS does and then I'll post some shots. 😉

[Scutterborn]

Ok. For the purpose of science.... 😏

Here I'll keep my progression shots. I'll document the scrubber surface and the problem spots in the DT. Keep in mind I'm not home often lately and have had problems keeping up with the maintenance.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/09/01/ajyme6ag.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/09/01/6u2eqa2a.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/09/01/barysave.jpg
And the screen.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/09/01/6ynadeva.jpg

- Ben -

[Justin]

This is really awesome. I was playing with the idea myself but hesitant on adding another pump to my sump. I"ll keep following to see if it does what many on RC claim it does.

[Scutterborn]

This picture was just taken.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/09/04/ajemaduj.jpg


- Ben -

[Dean]

Dang that's nasty. Is the DT clearing any yet?

[Scutterborn]

No noticeable difference in the DT yet.


- Ben -

[CoryDude]

Not sure if you want to chance it, but when I've started an ATS or any other fuge grow area, I would dose iron. Karin aka Europhyllia posted a link to an article that advocated fueling higher order macro algae's and other nutrient export algae at the expense of nuisance algae's. The argument was the more desirable algae would out compete the bad algae for nutrients and needed minerals.

[Scutterborn]

I will look into that.

[CoryDude]

Seachem coral color part c is a broad spectrum supplement I've used for iron and other trace elements. Good looking setup you've got there with the ATS.

[rrasco]

If these are setup right, they do work. Some factors to pay attention to: flow rate of water over mesh, adequate lighting (distance from mesh as well as powerful enough) and regular maintenance. Also, if your rocks have bound po4, you may notice the algae get worse before it gets better.

[Scutterborn]

Another update. Trying to really stay on top of keeping this updated. This pic was just taken. http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/09/06/tetujyde.jpg

[Big_Pun]

is the center of light beam not growing any algae

[Scutterborn]

No. I think it's too intense. It's lit on both sides by a 20w par38 3000k bulb. The bulbs are at the recommended 4-5" distance. It has slowly started to grow into that center from the last progression photo however.

[Scutterborn]

I snapped this picture a couple hours ago before leaving for work.http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/09/09/6ure2y9u.jpg

[Dean]

How much additional daily evaporation have you had since setting this up Ben?

[Scutterborn]

I have not paid attention to that. I will do so. I was going through about 15 or so gallons a week. I'll pay more attention to that and keep you posted

[rrasco]

I've never noticed a correlation between an ATS and evaporation.

[Dean]

I've never noticed a correlation between an ATS and evaporation.

I just figured that more water exposed to air = more evaporation. Flowing water at that... Just curious as to how much more or if it is even a significant amount.

[rrasco]

That's a solid line of thought, and I'm sure there is some, but I think it is negligible.

[Scutterborn]

Another pic from last night. I dropped the light cycle to 12 hrs. It's certainly slowed the growth.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/09/14/zedabu5a.jpg


- Ben -

[rrasco]

What cycle were you running? They say 18 on 6 off is ideal. I run mine from 9pm to 3pm.

[Scutterborn]

I read to start off on a 24 hr cycle

[rrasco]

Algae needs a respiratory period so I've never run 24 hour.

[Big_Pun]

I've never has issues running cheato and grape culerpa on 24 hour cycle, also less likely to go sexual

[THE_BEAST]

Hows the progress with this coming along