Algae scrubber

James spinn · Jan 21, 2020

Scrubber_steve said:
This isn't an exact science because each system is different.

In any case, I would start with a 7 hour light period for the scrubber.
You can reduce the intensity by mounting the light further away from the screen, or putting a shade between the light & the screen
.
Depending on your in-organic nutrient export filtration overall, once the scrubber screen is growing, & has covered most of the screen, you could loose the chaeto.

Low light intensity is the most important factor, IMO, for establishing algae on the screen. The intensity used for a mature screen is too high in the initial stages (photo-inhibition).

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Thank you. !!!

Scrubber_steve · Jan 21, 2020

Thank you. !!!
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Glad I can help.

James spinn · Jan 21, 2020

Scrubber_steve said:
Thank you. !!!

Glad I can help.

One other question is my screen to big?

Scrubber_steve · Jan 21, 2020

James spinn said:
One other question is my screen to big?

How much do you feed (have you read the cube equivalent/screen size specs ?)
How big is your screen?

I only use a scrubber, filter floss & live rock for filtration. Because of this, I worked out the screen size I needed from the calculation, then doubled it.

James spinn · Jan 21, 2020

Scrubber_steve said:
How much do you feed (have you read the cube equivalent/screen size specs ?)
How big is your screen?

I only use a scrubber, filter floss & live rock for filtration. Because of this, I worked out the screen size I needed from the calculation, then doubled it.

72 gallon 20 sump about 50 lbs rock 10.5 x 12 inch screen. 1.5 cubes a day .

James spinn · Jan 21, 2020

James spinn said:
72 gallon 20 sump about 50 lbs rock 10.5 x 12 inch screen. 1.5 cubes a day .

I'm
I'm going to add more fish in the near future.

James spinn · Jan 21, 2020

Scrubber_steve · Jan 21, 2020

James spinn said:
I'm
I'm going to add more fish in the near future.

OK, so the size of the system has nil to do with screen/scrubber size. Its a matter of nutrients in verse in-organic nutrients out.
The specs say - for each cube equivalent fed to the tank you need 12 sq inches of screen - illuminated on both sides.
If only one side is illuminated then you'll need a screen twice the recommended size = 24 sq inches.

You feed 1.5 cubes, so you need 18 sq inches illuminated both sides, or 36 sq inches if you're only lighting one side.

Your screen is 10.5 x 12 = 126 sq inches.

Jeff Jarry reef · Jan 21, 2020

My DIY scrubber has a 6x6 inch. And I feed 2-3 cubes a day. With two 24w on either side. And it works great for me

Jeff Jarry reef · Jan 21, 2020

My DIY ATS I'm pretty proud of it !

Scrubber_steve · Jan 21, 2020

Jeff Jarry reef said:
My DIY scrubber has a 6x6 inch. And I feed 2-3 cubes a day. With two 24w on either side. And it works great for me

Once you get the screen size approximately right you can then fine tune the level of in-organic nutrient export via the length of the photo-period (7 hours/day, all the way to 24/7 if necessary.

What spectrum of light are you using? Red 660nm ? Whites? I recommend 1w to 1.55w of PUR (photosynthetic USABLE radiation) for every 4 sq inches of screen.

Jeff Jarry reef · Jan 21, 2020

Scrubber_steve said:
Once you get the screen size approximately right you can then fine tune the level of in-organic nutrient export via the length of the photo-period (7 hours/day, all the way to 24/7 if necessary.

What spectrum of light are you using? Red 660nm ? Whites? I recommend 1w to 1.55w of PUR (photosynthetic USABLE radiation) for every 4 sq inches of screen.

On paperwork it shows 660nm. 630nm. 460nm 2700k and actual 20W+1w

Scrubber_steve · Jan 21, 2020

Jeff Jarry reef said:
My DIY ATS I'm pretty proud of it !

Nice.

Got a growth shot

Jeff Jarry reef · Jan 21, 2020

That's alot

Scrubber_steve said:
Nice.

Got a growth shot

Wow that's alot

James spinn · Jan 26, 2020

Scrubber_steve said:
OK, if you're looking to decommission your chaeto fuge this is what I would do.
If the chaeto is growing well I would reduce the chaeto's illumination period by an hour a week, after your scrubber screen has begun to show some growth. (Remember that the chaeto & the algae on the scrubber screen are competing for the same nutrients). Continue reducing it weekly as the scrubber algae increases.

If on the other hand your chaeto isn't growing, & hasn't been growing, possibly dying, stop the illumination of the chaeto completely & concentrate on the scrubber.

Note: Keep the light intensity to the scrubber low at first. Too intense will inhibit the self seeding of the screen. Once a good coverage of algae has established itself, intensity can be increased.

I have a question I have growth now and I'm doing the 7 hr that you said. When should I start adding more time to the scrubber?

James spinn · Jan 26, 2020

Scrubber_steve said:
Keep updates of your growth progression

Scrubber_steve · Jan 26, 2020

James spinn said:
I have a question I have growth now and I'm doing the 7 hr that you said. When should I start adding more time to the scrubber?

Your screen has started the process, a biofilm is established & then usually brown diatom covering, which looks like what you have by the photos. Next you'll likely get smiley green growth, & then eventually some decent macro-algae growth, probably ulva.

For more detailed info on breaking in a screen & cleaning scroll down this page to Screen Break-in Period, and also read the following topic Cleaning the screen.