converting refugium to algae scubber: Ideas please

[lion king]

So long story short my refugium just isn't cutting it; it's plenty large enough and grows like a weed, but the macros just can't uptake enough nutrients.

I don't want a waterfall, don't want the trickling sound or the need to protect from splashing. The section is 12" wide in 15" deep water, the length is 22".

My thought are to do a variation of an upflow. Submerge a screen lengthwise with lights mounted on each side of the tank against the glass. The lights would then be 6" from the screen. I'm not sure if I need to run an airstone under the screen or a powerhead to create movement.

Anyone do a successful variation of this type of scrubber.

Questions:
Recommended lights.
Is it about water movement or is there a need for airstone. I'd rather use a powerhead for movement.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Before re engineering, as it sounds like a pain, have you considered other methods? Carbon dosing , a small reactor etc? More flow for the fuge or better light?

I don't think I've seen besides anecdotal, reports that a scrubber is that much more efficient.

 

[lion king]

I'm employing nopox, brightwell xport, and the refugium; I still can't manage to my desired outcome. Obviously more water changes which I do not want to do and am probably not going to do. Don't plan to cut down feeding either. It's a fowlr, I've even stopped testing nitrates; last tested around 50. I'm just frustrated on the display maintenance, scrubbing algae from the rocks is a pita. I was thinking because the type of algae grown by scrubbers is the same type that becomes the nuisance in the display; that by providing a platform for it to grow elsewhere may alleviate my issue.

 

[lion king]

I know the best thing to do would be to run a scrubber in conjunction with the current methods I'm using, just don't want to spend $400 right now. That would give the platform for the nuisance algae to grow and continue to run the current system as is.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Without knowing your sump set up, it's hard to suggest the best route.
I'd try to stay simple.
Any light mostly will do. 32k/56k combo or 4800knfull spectrum.

Those goofy tiny $4 12v pumps work well for flow. So an inclined acrylic and plastic canvas covering and the pump on a spray bar at the top would be my first go to thought.