Bored today and made an turf Algae scrubber

[Mechano]

Was bored today and decided to clean up the fish room and figured today was a good day to finally make one of these turf algae scrubbers to try out.
Nothing pretty, but gets the job done. Didn’t spend no money on this, it’s just stuff I’ve had kicking around for years (plumbing, fittings, pumps, light etc.

Interested to see how it performs

 

[Airedale Reef]

This looks great! Funnily enough, I was researching DIY algae scrubbers last week. What light are you using?

 

[Mechano]

To be honest it was an Amazon special. It’s like 3-4 years old. Not even sure what brand it is. Hehe

 

[Ef4life]

I use a hob filter with a piece of mesh on the outflow off it - lit by the main reef display light. Works flawlessly

 

[Mechano]

I use a hob filter with a piece of mesh on the outflow off it - lit by the main reef display light. Works flawlessly

If it works it works !

 

[Mechano]

Checked up on the scrubber today diatoms growing so far so it is starting to grow stuff. No turf algae yet though

 

[Rp8]

Was bored today and decided to clean up the fish room and figured today was a good day to finally make one of these turf algae scrubbers to try out.
Nothing pretty, but gets the job done. Didn’t spend no money on this, it’s just stuff I’ve had kicking around for years (plumbing, fittings, pumps, light etc.

Interested to see how it performs

What kinda box did you use? Got any drawings or plans you can share? I picked up this light to diy one

 

[kdx7214]

I've been looking into this for a couple of days now as well. Thinking of using a cheap black trash can from Walmart for the box. Just turn it upside down so water flows into the sump, cut out a square for a light, and drill some holes for the pipes. Not 100% sure about it though as that would make cleaning a PITA.

 

[Mechano]

What kinda box did you use? Got any drawings or plans you can share? I picked up this light to diy one

That’s the exact light actually. Completely forgot the brand, you just refreshed my memory haha.

I used a 2.5L dosing container I had kicking around to make the box.

 

[Mechano]

I've been looking into this for a couple of days now as well. Thinking of using a cheap black trash can from Walmart for the box. Just turn it upside down so water flows into the sump, cut out a square for a light, and drill some holes for the pipes. Not 100% sure about it though as that would make cleaning a PITA.

Seems like it would be too large that way.
I would just look for a small tote or acrylic box or even a small aquarium and paint it black maybe ?

 

[kdx7214]

Seems like it would be too large that way.
I would just look for a small tote or acrylic box or even a small aquarium and paint it black maybe ?

I found a 2 gallon black trash can at WalMart that is rectangular and looks like it would work quite well. Just not sure how to go about making cleaning easier. Alas I'm working on a tight budget and the acrylic boxes I've found were just too expensive--at least the ones around here. I didn't check online places as you never know what you are actually getting until it's too late.

I've got a 75g tank and a 40g sump (with maybe 20g of that in use). If the calculations I've seen online are correct I need about a 12" x 12" screen. Still not quite sure how I'm going to fit something that large in the sump. Might have to make a separate unit outside the tank.

 

[Mechano]

I found a 2 gallon black trash can at WalMart that is rectangular and looks like it would work quite well. Just not sure how to go about making cleaning easier. Alas I'm working on a tight budget and the acrylic boxes I've found were just too expensive--at least the ones around here. I didn't check online places as you never know what you are actually getting until it's too late.

I've got a 75g tank and a 40g sump (with maybe 20g of that in use). If the calculations I've seen online are correct I need about a 12" x 12" screen. Still not quite sure how I'm going to fit something that large in the sump. Might have to make a separate unit outside the tank.

Yeah that’s the kicker. They do take up room for sure

 

[Rp8]

I use a hob filter with a piece of mesh on the outflow off it - lit by the main reef display light. Works flawlessly

Simple and brilliant. Well played sir

 

[Mechano]

There is growth….imagine what my Tangs are thinking not being able to eat it haha

Sorry for the crappy pic but you guys get the idea

 

[VintageReefer]

Well done!

 

[brooksdw]

I use the same lights on my diy ATS

 

[Rappa]

I use the same lights on my diy ATS

Nice job I really like what you did here! Did you design that yourself or follow a drawing/plan? How much $ do you have into it? Have you harvested yet? I'm interested in building something just like this.

 

[brooksdw]

I designed it on solidworks and cut all parts on a laser cutter. all the acrylic I used was scrap cutoffs from a sign company my wife works for. anyone wants the dxf files send me a message .

 

[FUNGI]

To be honest it was an Amazon special. It’s like 3-4 years old. Not even sure what brand it is. Hehe

I think its the

ACKE LED Grow Light​

Great light.....i had two on my refugium



sorry already answered....LOL

 

[Mechano]

Let there be algae… updated version. Used an old EVO 5 g tank as the scrubber system. Works better than the acrylic ones dimensions.