My Algae Turf Scrubber Build

[Turbo's Aquatics]

You might give it a light cleaning at this point. At least do it at 21 days. This cleaning would consist of placing the screen on a cutting board and swiping your hand over each side once to loosen things up, then a light rinse under room temp tap water (low flow, not blasting it). Then scrub the top part of the screen where it's inserted into the slot + about 2 or 3 rows of 'exposed' screen.

 

[SantaMonica]

Really needing more light.

 

[labas39]

Day 20's Growth

 

[labas39]

Day 21's Growth

Before Cleaning:

After light cleaning:

 

[labas39]

Day 23's Growth

 

[FlyinBryan]

Just along for the ride on this one.

 

[timkenagy]

Here's mine. I cleaned it about 3 days ago. I'm not sure if someone mentioned it yet or not but roughing the screen up helps a ton. I scraped a 3" hole saw horizontally across the screen. The rougher the better.

 

[BuzzWrasse]

Following

 

[Turbo's Aquatics]

I'm not sure if someone mentioned it yet or not but roughing the screen up helps a ton. I scraped a 3" hole saw horizontally across the screen. The rougher the better.

It is actually imperative that you do that, and well

[video=youtube;-mrCWALt9Qs]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mrCWALt9Qs[/video]

 

[labas39]

Really needing more light.

I'm using a 23W, 100W equivalent, soft white bulb. I thought a lot of people had success with those.

I see that Home Depot now sells a 40W, 200W equivalent, 6500K daylight CFL bulb and a 68W, 300W equivalent, 2600K soft white CFL bulb. Should I go to one of those?

 

[labas39]

Note that I can only do one side and since my screen is only 6 inches by 6 inches, I can only get one CFL bulb on there and until I prove this is going to help me out, I'm not ready to switch to LED's yet.

 

[Turbo's Aquatics]

68W holy carp! That would probably create a bare spot in the middle of the screen, but you can increase the distance to prevent that. I would think you would need a big custom reflector for that lamp!!

 

[labas39]

I didn't even think about the size of the bulbs.

100W: height = 4 in., diameter = 2.4 in.
200W: height = 9.5 in., diameter = 3 in.
300W: height = 9.25 in., diameter = 4.1 in. (Note that the height is less than the 200W bulb and it's not a typo on my part.)

 

[labas39]

Day 24's Growth

Took a reading with my API nitrate test; it's hard to read low readings with it so I can't really tell. Can be anywhere from 5 to 10 ppm. Even though I'm starting to get growth on my ATS screen, I'm not seeing GHA reduction in my frag tank. It does seem to come off rather easily, however. I do believe I have to increase my flow in the ATS since I'm not getting more growth.

 

[xrayjeeper83]

Good info, glad to its working well. I need to stop being lazy and build one for my 75, stupid gha and bubble algae have started popping up every where.

 

[Turbo's Aquatics]

Your scrubber lights are still weak, so the growth is dark (and almost gray looking) so it will take longer to grow enough to outcompete the tank algae - at least that is how it appears. As long as you are seeing differences, it's still doing the job though.

 

[labas39]

Thanks! I'm going to check out the 200W equivalent bulbs. They also have a 150W equivalent. What's best soft white, cool white or daylight?

 

[SantaMonica]

Soft. Or Warm.

And always look at the real watts, not equivalent.

 

[dbg]

Looks like its coming along well, labas39. You inspired me to change my design! How does your DT look now after 25 days? Any difference?
Here's mine:

 

[labas39]

Looks like its coming along well, labas39. You inspired me to change my design! How does your DT look now after 25 days? Any difference?

Very nice!

My DT was always OK, it was my new frag tank that had the GHA. I'm not noticing much yet. I'm going to try and get a bit more light on the screen.