making an algae reactor

[Eddie7144]

ok so going to get or make an algae reactor, I have a phosphban 150 reactor that I do not use, would it be big enough for a 150 gal tank ? or so I need a bigger reactor ?

 

[edsbeaker]

It would depend on the size of your tank, but my GUESS is unless you have a nano tank, it probably does not have the space to grow enough to make it worthwhile. It will, of course, grow algae, but probably not enough to get any benefit from it. Just like a refugium, size is everything!

I'm building this one. I have a 66 Gallon set up and think the reactor they are using is too small, so will be getting the larger one.

 

[Eddie7144]

was thinking the same, getting the reactors the easy part,do you know where I can get the lights with a dimmer ? was looking on Amazon they got the red blue grow lights bit no dimmer ?

 

[edsbeaker]

was thinking the same, getting the reactors the easy part,do you know where I can get the lights with a dimmer ? was looking on Amazon they got the red blue grow lights bit no dimmer ?

No, I don't. I was just going with the plain white LED strip from Marine Depot. Is there a reason you would like a dimmer?

 

[Eddie7144]

some people have said that the led lights on full power can bleach the algae

 

[edsbeaker]

some people have said that the led lights on full power can bleach the algae

Cant you just use less of them if needed, so you are using less intensity?

 

[Eddie7144]

no and good idea,I'm just trying to get info for when I make my reactor in the next 2 weeks

 

[3mm3]

the grow light strips are good. No issues killing cheto

 

[Eddie7144]

so if I get the o as from marine depot I'm good to go ?

 

[edsbeaker]

I don't have 1st hand knowledge or know if there are better alternatives, but, Marine Depot has been using them for a while with no problems. The only thing is you want to be careful when opening up the canister. The lights are water resistant but not water proof.