For those of you that are considering a DIY algae scrubber. Here’s my latest attempt. This ended up costing just under $100. If I had used sch40 fittings rather than sch80 I could have saved at least $20 if not more. For the base I just cut a piece of acrylic and adhered it to the bottom with Weldon 16. I drilled and tapped the holes for the lights and mounted them with nylon thumb screws. I didn’t add a valve because I’ve got a manifold off my return pump with a designated valve for the scrubber so consider that if anyone uses this part list. I can give more detail if anyone is interested in using this list of how I did certain parts. But for the most part I used a dremel to cut the container. And a tap to mount the lights with thumb screws. Those two parts were probably the only part of this project that required a little attention to detail. Aside from that, this was a super simple project that anyone could do.
Here’s the list of parts with links;
-Acrylic Container- $13
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07WXG3BJN?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title
-Lights -$25 (x2)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01LX1EO3W?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title
-1/2” FNPT Lock Nut- $0.40 (x2) *The link is for a pack of 50 which is $19 for the pack. You can make these by cutting a ring off a threaded fitting if you don’t want to buy them.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00VNTN9DW?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title
-O-rings- $0.32 (x2) *Could cost more or less depending what size of pack you get or if you can find a couple o-rings laying around that work.
Amazon product ASIN B000FN0YLW
-1/2” FNPT x 1/2” FNPT schedule 80 union- $7.50 *I prefer the threaded but this is obviously preference of how it’s plumbed.
Amazon product ASIN B008HOUYNY
-1/2” Male Adapters- $6.35 (x3) *Way cheaper if you use schedule 40. I just prefer grey over white and didn’t want to paint the plumbing.
Amazon product ASIN B008HQ5RLQ
-1/2” slip 90- $5.05 *Again, cheaper with sch40
Amazon product ASIN B008FM95WE
-1/2” Barbed x 1/2” MNPT Adapter- $0.70
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0869NL3QR/ref=sspa_mw_detail_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1
-Mesh sheets- ~$2.00 (a couple medium sheets cost about $5.00)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0037A97I6?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title
Here’s the list of parts with links;
-Acrylic Container- $13
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07WXG3BJN?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title
-Lights -$25 (x2)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01LX1EO3W?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title
-1/2” FNPT Lock Nut- $0.40 (x2) *The link is for a pack of 50 which is $19 for the pack. You can make these by cutting a ring off a threaded fitting if you don’t want to buy them.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00VNTN9DW?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title
-O-rings- $0.32 (x2) *Could cost more or less depending what size of pack you get or if you can find a couple o-rings laying around that work.
Amazon product ASIN B000FN0YLW
-1/2” FNPT x 1/2” FNPT schedule 80 union- $7.50 *I prefer the threaded but this is obviously preference of how it’s plumbed.
Amazon product ASIN B008HOUYNY
-1/2” Male Adapters- $6.35 (x3) *Way cheaper if you use schedule 40. I just prefer grey over white and didn’t want to paint the plumbing.
Amazon product ASIN B008HQ5RLQ
-1/2” slip 90- $5.05 *Again, cheaper with sch40
Amazon product ASIN B008FM95WE
-1/2” Barbed x 1/2” MNPT Adapter- $0.70
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0869NL3QR/ref=sspa_mw_detail_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1
-Mesh sheets- ~$2.00 (a couple medium sheets cost about $5.00)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0037A97I6?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title
