Lighting for algae turf scrubber

[leepink23]

I have a diy algae turf scrubber, I am limited on light options so was wondering if I can take the 1 watt leds out of the light fixture and replace with 5- 3 watt red and 1- 3 watt blue led. I have one of these lights on each side of the scrubber. I have been told it's not enough light.

 

[leepink23]

Anyone have any suggestions?

 

[Tautog]

Looks good, how's your algae situation in your display?

 

[leepink23]

Some cyano on the sand, some hair algae but not really much. When I check my parameters it's .018 phosphates hanna ulr, nitrates 0.5 red sea pro.

 

[leepink23]

Almost zero glass algae

 

[cracker]

In my experience an ATS won't really produce unless You have a good amount of nutrients. The screen doesn't look too bad at all. Is there some green & brown lookin stuff?

 

[leepink23]

In my experience an ATS won't really produce unless You have a good amount of nutrients. The screen doesn't look too bad at all. Is there some green & brown lookin stuff?

Yeap green and brown.

 

[cracker]

There Ya go, You won't get that thick green shag carpet seen in advertisements . Your nutrients aren't that high. What your getting now will take out some more of what's in the tank.

 

[leepink23]

Gotcha, I was told the 6 watts from those lights weren't enough. I am going to just keep letting it run and not add lights. I had considered buying these and putting 1 on each side.

 

[leepink23]

This is the what I had before cleaning it.

 

[Austin R]

Hey guys I just made my own scrubber and was wonder if a 5000k cfl daylight light bulb would work to?

 

[Zephrant]

I have a diy algae turf scrubber, I am limited on light options so was wondering if I can take the 1 watt leds out of the light fixture and replace with 5- 3 watt red and 1- 3 watt blue led.

To answer that question, "probably not". The fixture most likely does not have a power supply that can handle the extra power, and is not designed to cool 3 watt LEDs.

Probably won't light, and if it does it'll burn up.

Love the look of those Kessils. Got to find a way to put one in my system.

 

[leepink23]

Hey guys I just made my own scrubber and was wonder if a 5000k cfl daylight light bulb would work to?

They say closer to 2700-3200 k is better. But I grew algae with 6500k.

 

[Austin R]

They say closer to 2700-3200 k is better. But I grew algae with 6500k.

Ok thanks!

 

[leepink23]

Ok thanks!

Your welcome, most of the scrubbers made buy companies use a red/blue combo of led.