DIY Updraft Algae Scrubber for Fluval EVO 13.5

[jackiemon]

I wanted to share with you my DIY Updraft Algae Scrubber that I have created for AIO Nano Reef tanks. This particular one is for the Chamber 2 mod for a Fluval EVO 13.5.
It has a second stage behind the first that can't be photographed. The second stage can be filled with polypad, floss, carbon, etc. However, I have found that the best flow profile is created when only polyfill (teddy bear floss) is used; or nothing at all. It fits the chamber extremely tightly to avoid pass-by flow and to maximize the available membrane area. The hole in the back allows for insertion of a screwdriver for removal. There is a lid to stop salt spray and light leakage. The drop down, angled bottom helps to minimize re-circulation.

I have poured over this design for a long time and this is the first prototype. I am already starting on the second one with some minor improvements. I have great expectations for this design and can't wait to see the results in the next few months. I am currently in the patent application process.

I hope you like it.

The airline passes along the space behind the membrane. It comes out the top and employs a check valve to avoid siphoning. I have since replaced the Limewood airstone with a ceramic diffuser. I know there are lots of opinions over this. But what has so far been the most succesful in terms of flow, membrane coverage, spray reduction and noise reduction has been the cheap ceramic diffusers.

It is constructed out of 0.93" opaque black Lexan and is solvent welded and annealed for strength. The membrane is a typical plastic stichcraft from HobbyLobby.

My little Alveopora Garden. The little Bernardpora only opens at night.

The downfall of all available Nano UAS devices is that they recirculate a lot of the same water over and over. Although this is partly unavoidable this design seeks to decrease recirculation as much as possible.

I have chosen to use the Acke 12 grow light, velcro mounted to the outside of the tank. This is centered over the membrane and is on a 18/6 hour cycle; starting 2 hours before the DT lights go out.

My "sump".
A Whisper 60 drives a 1500ml CO2 scrubber and feeds past a check valve and into the UAS.

Here, I have put opaque "shades" over the second chamber. My next point of improvement is to reduce light leakage into chamber 1. During "lights out" there is minimal light in the DT.

Thanks for checking it out. I will update as I go and show my progress.

Thank you for this! I've been researching at a diy algae scrubber and yours is by far the most esthetically pleasing ! I have a 60 gallon AIO with total of 3 chambers, the water flow is similar to the fluval. Any advice which chamber I should have the scrubber in ?