Have any of you DIY'd a macroalgae reactor? How'd you do it?

[Daniel@R2R]

I'm thinking about making a DIY macroalgae reactor. It can't be that hard. I've got a regular phosban reactor. I'm thinking if I just wrap it in some LEDs and make sure to have the right gph on the pump, it should work, right? Who's done this, and what have you found works?

 

[Projects with Sam]

I wouldn't do that because it may get clogged and cause problems. I think the algae reactors just drip the water passively over something that is lit but the main path of the water is back to the sump or DT. This way if the algae clogs up anything there is no potential for disaster.

 

[Collinslice]

I just did this a couple months ago with an old jumbo BRS reactor. Got some dimmable grow leds (6') and wrapped them in electrical tape.
I've had to harvest the chaeto once already as it was growing into the out line of the reactor!

ps, I did clean back up the wiring after the install lol

 

[afrokobe]

I built one for my new tank build, but I never used it lol. Might need to check back in a few months, maybe it will be up and running after that

 

[afrokobe]

I wouldn't do that because it may get clogged and cause problems. I think the algae reactors just drip the water passively over something that is lit but the main path of the water is back to the sump or DT. This way if the algae clogs up anything there is no potential for disaster.

the reactor I used had some sponge filters to prevent this issue.

 

[Projects with Sam]

I just did this a couple months ago with an old jumbo BRS reactor. Got some dimmable grow leds (6') and wrapped them in electrical tape.
I've had to harvest the chaeto once already as it was growing into the out line of the reactor!

ps, I did clean back up the wiring after the install lol

What prevents the cheato from backing up the line?

 

[Daniel@R2R]

BUMP!!

 

[Collinslice]

What prevents the cheato from backing up the line?

Not running a ton of flow through it. The ball stays near the bottom. The reactor also holds about 1 gallon of water. If I neglect it, it would definitely clog