Diy Mini Algae scrubber!

[ReefNo0ob]

Hey Reefers just wanted to post my little project i did today which is a Mini Algae Scrubber! Only costed about $8 total and all i had to do was tap into my return pump manifold i built right off the start (thanks to advice from a good friend) for my source of water flow. Space is tight under my DT so i could only put light on one side of the mesh.The light is an led aquaponics grow light i bought at Menards. I'm testing it out to see how successful growth is with it. I decided to tilt my refugium light slightly to point at the screen and give it a week or two to see how the growth is coming along and if ill need to change up the lighting. The screen size is 8.5"× 5" due to space limitations but let me know what you think and any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated!

-will also keep everyone updated with pics as I start to see growth

 

[jsker]

Good Job seeing any results yet?

 

[ReefNo0ob]

Good Job seeing any results yet?

Its only been running for about an hour and a half but hopefully within the next couple days ill see something!

 

[jsker]

Its only been running for about an hour and a half but hopefully within the next couple days ill see something!

Let us know how things go with the scrubber.

 

[ReefNo0ob]

Let us know how things go with the scrubber.

Day 4 and im seeing brown algae growth! I read somewhere that its brown first then starts growing green algae over time?

 

[jsker]

Look like it is working well. Have you ran any test to see were you nutrients are?

 

[redfishbluefish]

Very nice little DIY.

Details on the LED? We don't have Menards in our area. I did find THIS 10W E27 LED on Amazon for $2.99.

 

[ReefNo0ob]

Sorry for the slow reply i added my first soft corals!! (Ill make a post on it tomorrow) and my phosphates were at zero! Ill test more tomorrow as well! And heres the link of the exact bulb i have http://www.menards.com/main/electri...430396896-c-7478.htm?tid=-6831911621365126611

 

[Mel 2038]

I like it! That's a cool small project.

 

[ReefNo0ob]

Day 7 and algae has gotten thicker! Not quite ready to clean yet but phosphates are at zero!

 

[Eddie Rogers]

Following

 

[ReefNo0ob]

Update: Day 11

Will be adding a second light pointed at the scrubber because i have noticed the growth has slowed down a little and i am getting some hair algae growth in my refugium. Hopefully the second light with promote growth on the scrubber instead of the refugium! I will keep everyone posted when I add the second light and on the algae growth!

 

[ReefNo0ob]

Also water perams are perfect still 0 phosphates, nitrates,nitrites, and ammonia!

 

[ReefNo0ob]

Added a second of the exact same light and fixture hope this reaps faster growth only time will tell

 

[ReefNo0ob]

Did my first scrubber screen cleaning last night. I probably couldve waited another few days but I was curious to see how much would come off. Algae is mostly all green now so growth is established. I will most likely wait to clean it again once i gets too thick for light to pass through or until it turns black (dying)

 

[ReefNo0ob]

Another scrubber weekly update! Clean #3 the screen is getting thicker and ive noticed there is less algae building up on my glass of the display tank! took pics of both sides of the screen and the harvest. Lovin the scrub life

 

[Ponraj A]

Hi nicely made and I am going to try one like this. Can you tell what is the name of the light fixture and where you have got it, if you can suggest from Amazon or Ebay it would be better>>>>

 

[ReefNo0ob]

Feit LED Plant Grow Light BR30 9W 1100K Medium Base E26 Lamp https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DE1TSJ0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_mjhLybYMTCP6D
Keystone A-1100_UL Polycarbonate Clamp Lamp https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MHY3BDK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_QlhLyb8J58V9Y

Heres the bulb i have and this looks like the light mounts i have but due to limited space i took the reflector cones off but as you can see that doesnt affect the growth!

If you have a menards by you, that is where i bought the bulbs and housings (for a little cheaper too)

 

[Ponraj A]

Got it and thanks you so much for your reply....

Have a nice weekend....

 

[ReefNo0ob]

Yea no problem! Sorry i didnt reply sooner i woke up and saw this