Algae Turf Scrubbers

[scott26]

Scrubber Update:
I had originally had it plumbed via ½†barbed fittings with ½†line. This was an issue that I hadn’t thought about on initial start up, but it was restricting my flow (around 150 GPH). So I changed that out for some ¾†fittings with 1†tubing, and talk about an improvement! I am at around 350+ GPH now good thing I have an overrated pump.

I also changed out the two 100 watt CFL bulbs for two 150 CFL bulbs this brought up my actual watts from 46 to 84 much closer to my 90 gallon aquarium, and it has already started to look better from last night’s cleaning (see pictures).
SCRUBBER PICTURES:

After Cleaning:

 

[scott26]

[video=youtube;JCmRD16mwZk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCmRD16mwZk[/video]

 

[ReefRescue]

Just read the whole thread. would love some updates with peoples experiences.Great thread.
Cheers

 

[Reef kid]

I'm looking to set up a horizontal ats on the back of my tanks that is plumbed directly into my main return. Would this be to much flow? I have a 75 gal that runs at around 600 gph

 

[Turbo's Aquatics]

I'm not quite understanding what you're describing here:

horizontal ats on the back of my tanks that is plumbed directly into my main return

So this is fed off your return line back to the main display tank, and it drains into the display tank?

 

[Reef kid]

I'm not quite understanding what you're describing here:


So this is fed off your return line back to the main display tank, and it drains into the display tank?

Yep

 

[Turbo's Aquatics]

I'm guessing this will be rather long and narrow, like a raceway? So that it doesn't conflict with lighting?

In that case you may want to split the flow up a bit, 600 GPH may or may not be too much. Generally you don't want too much water depth above the screen or the water just passes over the algae. Put a slight slant on it (as much as you can) to minimize this - the more slant, the more flow you can go with. Try it first before you plumb in everything in permanent. You may not need to split up flow

 

[Reef kid]

I'm guessing this will be rather long and narrow, like a raceway? So that it doesn't conflict with lighting?

In that case you may want to split the flow up a bit, 600 GPH may or may not be too much. Generally you don't want too much water depth above the screen or the water just passes over the algae. Put a slight slant on it (as much as you can) to minimize this - the more slant, the more flow you can go with. Try it first before you plumb in everything in permanent. You may not need to split up flow

The container I have right now is 36in long by roughly four inches wide so yes. I think I can give it a slant easily enough and it definitely would not be plumbed permanently anyways. I have a built in corner overflow so I would just screw in a different threading and plumb it directly to the ats. I am going to be using leds that hang a ways above the tank so do you think there will be enough spill light?

 

[Turbo's Aquatics]

So you're planning to grow the scrubber off the DT lights, correct? Possibly enough but if you really wanted it to grow right I would add a dedicated light with deep red LEDs. Is the container opaque? Pic?

 

[Reef kid]

It's black. I could set up some LEDs over it , maybe even run a t8 on there. What color spectrum is the best

 

[Turbo's Aquatics]

For fluorescent, 2700-3500k. Growth spectrum. You could light that easily with a strip of aluminum U-channel and DR LEDs every 4-6", no fan most likely

 

[Reef kid]

For fluorescent, 2700-3500k. Growth spectrum. You could light that easily with a strip of aluminum U-channel and DR LEDs every 4-6", no fan most likely

Ok, thank you!