DIY Algae Scrubber

dbg · May 16, 2014

Anybody have some DIY algae scrubber pics/plans?! I just built this, but I want to see some others!

straydog · May 16, 2014

My sump and display have lids to reduce evaporation so I built mine a little different the water from the display drains onto the scrubber screen that is held in place by a drip tray. I like using this method since I dont have to use a pump to feed the scrubber.

Bad Company · May 16, 2014

I built one for my cube -I couldn't be happier with it!

dbg · May 17, 2014

Awesome!
@ StrayDog- So, does your scrubber sit horizontally? I can't quite tell, but that is cool that you don't have to use a pump.

@BadCompany- In your second picture from the top... Is that glass or acrylic being used as a splash guard, and how is it held in place?

Have your scrubbers worked well to reduce nuisance display algae?

straydog · May 17, 2014

It sits horizontal the drip tray that the scrubber lays in is just below the trim of the sump there is always about an 1/8 inch of water flowing over the scrubber. So far there is no algie growing in the display evcept coralline algie and the algie that gets on the glass . But this system is way over stocked with 10 fish .

Eternal · May 17, 2014

here is mine

dbg · May 19, 2014

Oh ok, gotchya. That's cool. I'm hoping to do some before and after pics of my tank. How big is your tank StrayDog?

@ Eternal- That looks really clean. Did you have a plastic place build the box for you, or did you buy acrylic and do it yourself? I'd really like to make something like that if you've got the plans for it.

Bad Company · May 19, 2014

dbg said:
Awesome!

@BadCompany- In your second picture from the top... Is that glass or acrylic being used as a splash guard, and how is it held in place?

Have your scrubbers worked well to reduce nuisance display algae?

Two of the acrylic pieces are resting on the pvc pipe via stainless bolts and nuts, the other two just rest in place. Occasionally I drop one in, but they work well, and maintenance is a breeze. I spend 30 minutes a week TOTAL upkeeping my tank minus fish feeding.

straydog · May 19, 2014

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/nano-reefs/150214-[__]-7-5-drilled-cube.html#post1860964 here is the link to my tank in the nano section . It is a 7.5 gallon display with a 10 gallon sump.

straydog · May 19, 2014

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/nano-reefs/150214-[__]-7-5-drilled-cube.htmlhere is the link to my tank in t e nano section . It is a 7.5 gallon display with a 10 gallon sump.[/QUOTE]

dbg · May 20, 2014

I was able to see lilmatty5dimes 7.5, but I'm not sure if it was yours... for some reason, I couldnt get the link to work.

I spend 30 minutes a week TOTAL upkeeping my tank minus fish feeding.

BadCompany, that is legit that you don't have to do too much... I hope mine works that well!!!

I had to redo mine today... I had a Magdrive 7 on mine previously, and it was waaaay too many GPH!!!! It was making a mess in my sump compartment.I just switched it out with a 264 GPH Harbor Freight "special." We'll see how that works

dbg · May 21, 2014

Finally got it all set up and running well

acmonster · May 29, 2014

How are your results?

Bad Company · May 30, 2014

It took at least 5 weeks for my scrubber to really get going...

dbg · May 31, 2014

How are your results?

I couldn't tell ya yet.... I've had a bad problem with my tank (see my post Coral is Dying. Thoughts?) that wiped out all the algae in the display. It still hasn't been resolved yet, and my coral don't look very well. That being said, my scrubber has started to grow algae on it, and there is still no algae in my display; however, I believe that it will be months before I could really show results from the scrubber, just like Bad Company has said.

SantaMonicaHelp · Jun 4, 2014

Did you rough up the plastic sheet? A rougher surface helps algae to attach better... run a hole saw or something similar over it until it's cactus-rough...might make it work better :]
Good work!

dbg · Jun 7, 2014

Hey SantaMonicaHelp! I've seen a lot of your scrubbers- they're awesome. I did use a hole saw bit to rough up the sheet, it's just not visible in the pics. Thanks for the advice though!