Algae Turf Scrubber DIY - Complete w/Plans

[WDKegge]

Looks awesome, I love doing DIY things and have been interested in turf scrubbers for a bit now, I see that it requires a donation to view the plans, but is there any way you could list the equipment used so that I could run a price check on what kind of cost I would be looking at?

 

[acidtablockshifty]

i used some those lights you have to dim them on low voltage side but with a pot style dimmer you only get so much dimming anyways kinda not worth it and not good for led longevity, also check the voltage they are useally 36v not 12 or 24, the best way would be something pulse width modulated like the coralux storm, but for cheap cost effective way if you had to dim them you could just find some kinda tinted screen sheets and just slip them between the lights and the box, or maybe try tint spray for tailights essentially black and clear mixed but with the glass lenses you could easily blade them clean and go for a lighter coating if it came out to dark or something

nice build very detailed, where did you get those bottles with the tips for the glue?

 

[zemuss]

@WDKegge You can cut the cost on the build by using a local hardware store PVC and not the color pvc.

The biggest cost is acrylic and lights imo.

 

[Jonatha6992]

How long do you leave the algae scrubber lights on for each day?

 

[dragonfisher33]

cool build but how much did it end up costing you? I do find some of the materials on the expensive side.

 

[FiremanRick]

Do you have to dim them? Perhaps if the concern is that the light is too bright, the lower watt lights could be used? I currently have a ATS (not nearly as nice as the one featured in the video) and was looking for new lights. I'm not really wanting to dim them.

 

[Poolscapes]

ball valve in the front will not work according to picture. It need to be facing the front. Otherwise you can not adjust it. Great Drawing

 

[Poolscapes]

Sorry I was mistaken. The ball valve does work. The one I bought has it closer to the body. If that was the case it would need to be changed. I am sorry. Helps to watch the video.

 

[Cyclone-G]

my question is other than heat why would you want to dim the light output on the scrubber ?

Well, one way to do it is to just reduce the lighting cycle. I have mine on a reverse cycle from the reef tank. I guess the thinking is that you could possibly grow more algae with a longer light cycle. Others can weigh in on this idea.

I should mention the mistake I made with the reverse cycle. I turned off the lights and the pump at the same time. You do need the pump to continue running water over the algae so it doesn't dry out. So it takes 2 Apex outlets on mine. The video shows both the pump and the LED's on one Apex outlet. My bad.

light intensity might be too much for the algae.

The algae does grow with the lights on around the clock. Just a little lighter in color and more of a rubbery consistency. I think it grows better with a break in the lighting cycle as it would have in nature.

 

[Cyclone-G]

Looks awesome, I love doing DIY things and have been interested in turf scrubbers for a bit now, I see that it requires a donation to view the plans, but is there any way you could list the equipment used so that I could run a price check on what kind of cost I would be looking at?

The entire parts list is in the plans along with where to buy them and the part numbers. It's only a $5 donation which is pretty cheap compared to all the time I put into editing the video and making the plans.

i used some those lights you have to dim them on low voltage side but with a pot style dimmer you only get so much dimming anyways kinda not worth it and not good for led longevity, also check the voltage they are useally 36v not 12 or 24, the best way would be something pulse width modulated like the coralux storm, but for cheap cost effective way if you had to dim them you could just find some kinda tinted screen sheets and just slip them between the lights and the box, or maybe try tint spray for tailights essentially black and clear mixed but with the glass lenses you could easily blade them clean and go for a lighter coating if it came out to dark or something
nice build very detailed, where did you get those bottles with the tips for the glue?

I put some #7 needlework screen between the light face and the transparent plastic. I'm really thinking the reduced lighting schedule is the easiest method and the most like nature. I thought about using the shade film but haven't gotten around to buying it yet.

cool build but how much did it end up costing you? I do find some of the materials on the expensive side.

I paid about $250 with all the extras like the light switch, cord, plumbing and other stuff I tried and threw away before I finalized the design. Probably the best way to save some cash is on the acrylic. I paid a lot for it by buying it online and having it shipped. You could likely go to a local dealer and get scraps at a fraction of the price. My acrylic cost was $85, so if you have some laying around or can get scrap cost on it that will make the biggest difference. Also, buy your plumbing PVC parts from Lowes or Menards at a fraction of the cost and just use plain white schedule 40 PVC. I think if your thrifty you could build this for $175 including the plans.

 

[Frozn]

Cyclone, thanks for this awesome piece of equipment and full video.

What has been the most noticable difference within your tank since using the algae scrubber? You definitely thought this out well, so i assume you really see a benefit with it's addition.

 

[zemuss]

Cyclone here is the link https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/algae-scrubber-basics.63113/page-6 start on post 120.

 

[BMMMW]

Any interest in making these to sell?

 

[Cyclone-G]

What has been the most noticable difference within your tank since using the algae scrubber? You definitely thought this out well, so i assume you really see a benefit with it's addition.

I've only had it running about 3 weeks and I made the mistake of having my pump turn off with the lights for the first 2 weeks. I seeded the screen with some turf algae from a friend and one week later the screen is covered. Tank hasn't really seen the benefits yet in that short time.

Any interest in making these to sell?

Well, if I made them professionally I would change a lot about it to reduce the cost. Without giving away all my ideas; lets just say that I wouldn't have so much PVC plumbing, and I'd likely design my own lights. I'm a Mechanical Design Engineer and the project is pretty simple to re-design for production. That being said, there are multitudes of vendors that make stuff for aquariums and they would likely sink me quickly unless I had a lot of cash to inject into the project for design, test, tooling, marketing, packaging, distribution, shows, etc.

I would be interested in doing a new novel design as a partner with a company or individual investor. I think there is some real potential for a design patent on a particular embodiment, but the basic Algae Turf Scrubber utility patent was granted in the 1980's. So the only protection from copycats would be a design patent which only covers the ornamental design (basically the look but not the function). I have 11 patents on other projects I've worked on so I'm not new to this rodeo.

In answer to your question, I think Turbo Aquatics does a nice job of making waterfall ATS's on a craft level for purchase. I don't think I'd want to spend my free time in the garage building ATS units for sale though. I'd sure be glad to help you with advice via phone or email though.

I thought it would be better to put the plans out there kind of like shareware so everyone who wants to build one can have a nice guide to go by. The plans I have on my website are a very detailed set of dimensioned drawings with complete bills of materials for every part in the ATS. You could easily take these to any plastic shop and have them build one for you. Or, you could order the plastic pre-cut and polished and just glue it together yourself.

 

[BMMMW]

Cool, thanks for the reply.

 

[pondman]

Nice build it looks like a nice weekend project.thanks for sharing with us.

 

[Cyclone-G]

Plans have been updated with a few additional dimensions and a few part number corrections. I had a "B" where there should have been an "8". A special thanks to Constantene who built one for himself! (not sure what his screen name is). He did a GREAT job on his build and used my plans to the letter except for the black instead of red.

 

[Cory]

Nice! Thanks for sharing!

 

[BMMMW]

I love this design, just can't build it. Someone step up please!

 

[Maltese]

Plans have been updated with a few additional dimensions and a few part number corrections. I had a "B" where there should have been an "8". A special thanks to Constantene who built one for himself! (not sure what his screen name is). He did a GREAT job on his build and used my plans to the letter except for the black instead of red.

Thank you for sharing I really appreciate.