My Algae Turf Scrubber Build
- Thread starter labas39
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BOWHUNTER4250
Active Member
This is what I am using.
looks great ! thanks ... i will be setting one up here in the next few weeks and i think i just found the lights i want to use ! love the box idea , is that the first cleaning oif the screen ?
I need to jump in and say that this is not a recommended light. Seen many use it and have fielded many questions. 14w / 225 LEDs = 0.06 w/ LED, these are not high-power and don't have enough intensity to grow thick GHA. They will undoubtedly grow algae, but they have no "punch", they can't drive the light through the surface of growth. They really can't be relied on for any more than a 1 cube/day scrubber due to this, and that's double sided (like Windy's build).
You might get a decent layer of green, but it will be only under conservative feeding conditions, and it will never get very thick. That's based on what others experienced over time. It's an attractive fixture initially but you really need LEDs that require heat sinking, they are much better intensity wise, and are also likely the proper color spectrum. LP LEDs are going to be all over the board on spectrum.
You might get a decent layer of green, but it will be only under conservative feeding conditions, and it will never get very thick. That's based on what others experienced over time. It's an attractive fixture initially but you really need LEDs that require heat sinking, they are much better intensity wise, and are also likely the proper color spectrum. LP LEDs are going to be all over the board on spectrum.
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BOWHUNTER4250
Active Member
thanks for the advise and input , what would you recommend then ?
It depends on your setup, but if LED, I recommend Luxeon ES 660nm Deep Reds from Steve's or Rapid and place them between 2 and 4" from the screen mounted in a square pattern with the LEDs either 2 or 4" on center. I have a more in depth "guideline" that I came up with but that's essentially it, really. 9 hrs/day. You can run at 350mA or 700mA, usually 350 is good for starting growth and then 700 once you get a base and the growth can handle more intensity. Starting at 700 is fine too but if the screen won't start, or stays white, back off the light or run at lower current.
I haven't had a chance to really update the "algae scrubber basics" in quite a while, and that thread here hasn't been very active. The last time I update the Basics was right when LED really came into it's own right for scrubbers. This light fixture has been covered many time though on the long RC thread, as well as several times on the algae scrubber site, if you search enough.
If you have 3W LEDs and you have 12 of them then that's 3 x 12 = 36W. My calculation of 0.06 w/led was based on total fixture wattage (14 Watts) divided my the quantity of LED (225) or 14/225 = 0.06222 watts per LED.
dbg
Community Member
This is awesome, labas39. How are you liking that enclosure? I'm looking at it right now on the containerstore website. A LOT cheaper than acrylic. Do you think you'll keep using it, or is it really too brittle... one of your first posts (#5) said you were worried about the pressure pushing the 1/2' PVC out?
labas39
Active Member
Frankly, that container is holding up well. If it did break, however, it would be catastrophic! Because of that, I'm going to replace it. I did see a thread yesterday where a guy used a clear plastic mail holder like you see realtors put on for sale signs where they fill with the details about the house for sale. (I can't find that post again.)
My concern about the PVC being pushed out was from the pressure of the water from the pump and so far, the PVC has stayed in the bulkhead. I wasn't concerned about the container.
BOWHUNTER4250
Active Member
ok .... Floyd :
Looking at those red led's from steve's led , if i have a 24 x 9 screen that i want to light from both sides , how many led's would i need ? Other components to put this all together ? Im not technical when it comes to electrical .. But if you could help me out and tell me what i need to order i can get it put together ??
Thanks
Windy
Active Member
https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/algae-scrubber-basics.264/
LED Grow Lights for Algae Scrubbers
The LEDs that you want to use for growing algae on an Algae Scrubber are the exact fixtures that are used to grow plants. There are different plant-growth fixtures available, and some are not what you want. ‘Flowering’ lamps have a lot of variety of lamp types that you do not need.
LED Grow Lights for Algae Scrubbers
The LEDs that you want to use for growing algae on an Algae Scrubber are the exact fixtures that are used to grow plants. There are different plant-growth fixtures available, and some are not what you want. ‘Flowering’ lamps have a lot of variety of lamp types that you do not need.
labas39
Active Member
I was thinking about this one before I bought the ones I did. The only reason why I didn't go this route because they had this comment: "Buyers may be subject to additional charges for customs clearance." I didn't want to deal with this mystery charge.New 10W 20W 30W 50W Blue 554nm Red 660nm Hydroponic Plant Flood LED Grow Lights | eBay
motortrendz
2500 Club Member
How many watts would you need in this light to build it propperly?
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