My DIY algae scrubber

[Alexr54]

Just made this today. I don’t have any plans.
But here are some pictures.
I am happy with how it came out.
My old one was not enclosed and was splashing everywhere.

 

[KrisReef]

Nice!
What light source?

 

[Alexr54]

Nice!
What light source?

I got 2 of these

COB LED Grow Light Full Spectrum, CANAGROW 100W Waterproof Grow Lights for Indoor Plants, Plant Growing Lamp with New Technology, Natural Heat Dissipation Without Noise Amazon product ASIN B07D3LW3MH

 

[Dan_P]

Just made this today. I don’t have any plans.
But here are some pictures.
I am happy with how it came out.
My old one was not enclosed and was splashing everywhere.

Nice work. I see you have the technique down for ensuring right angles in your build.

 

[Alexr54]

Nice work. I see you have the technique down for ensuring right angles in your build.

Thanks. This is the first time I made anything like this. I’ve never really worked much with acrylic before.
I especially like how I fitted the lights in sliders made by acrylic strips. Worked great. Really easy to remove and install the lights.
Only problem is if I need to replace the lights I need the same ones.
Posted so maybe it can help someone else looking for ideas.
While thing cost be about $100 with lights and acrylic.
The acrylic I got is a 48”x48” .22” sheet.
It was on sale at lowes. Even cheaper then the 24”x48” sheet…

 

[Dan_P]

Thanks. This is the first time I made anything like this. I’ve never really worked much with acrylic before.
I especially like how I fitted the lights in sliders made by acrylic strips. Worked great. Really easy to remove and install the lights.
Only problem is if I need to replace the lights I need the same ones.
Posted so maybe it can help someone else looking for ideas.
While things cost be about $100 with lights and acrylic.
The acrylic I got is a 48”x48” .22” sheet.
It was on sale at lowes. Even cheaper then the 24”x48” sheet…

Very generous to share your work. And yes, I bet it will inspire others to take plunge in building with acrylic.

 

[G Santana]

Well done, love to see DIY PROJECTS

 

[Alexr54]

Well done, love to see DIY PROJECTS

Same here!
I’ve done my share for sure :)

 

[G Santana]

Same here!
I’ve done my share for sure :)

Believe me, I was going to buy one until I saw the prices, I don't mind paying for good equipment but not for a plastic box.
I started to build one as I have several sheets of acrylic lying around and a table saw with a plastic cutting blade but I decided to simplify one and made this. I used the same light you have, I just did away with the box and have the screen in my sump, but same principle. Works great.
Again nice job on your ATS.

 

[Alexr54]

Believe me, I was going to buy one until I saw the prices, I don't mind paying for good equipment but not for a plastic box.
I started to build one as I have several sheets of acrylic lying around and a table saw with a plastic cutting blade but I decided to simplify one and made this. I used the same light you have, I just did away with the box and have the screen in my sump, but same principle. Works great.
Again nice job on your ATS.

I had one just like yours but it was splashing and caused my leak detectors around my refugium to keep going off.
Also I only had one side of the screen getting light.

 

[dedragon]

perfect, i would just worry about the light directly on the acrylic, it gets really hot to the touch, i use one of these lights for my refugium and it cud melt the acrylic so be careful, maybe using a 1" gap and a cheap computer fan cud solve that. Idk how hot these run but always an option in the future IF they do actually run colder
Amazon product ASIN B01LX1EO3W

 

[Alexr54]

perfect, i would just worry about the light directly on the acrylic, it gets really hot to the touch, i use one of these lights for my refugium and it cud melt the acrylic so be careful, maybe using a 1" gap and a cheap computer fan cud solve that. Idk how hot these run but always an option in the future IF they do actually run colder
Amazon product ASIN B01LX1EO3W

Yea I noticed it gets quite hot.
The spray from the ATS actually cools the glass quite well. And the acrylic is kind of thick.
I’ll keep checking on it and if needed I’ll add a fan.

 

[dedragon]

cheap usb computer fans are ez to install cheers and happy holidays

 

[Borat]

Just made this today. I don’t have any plans.
But here are some pictures.
I am happy with how it came out.
My old one was not enclosed and was splashing everywhere.

Nice! First scrubber I see on Reef2Reef which is properly made (not using your granny's old socks and a bottle of water)!

 

[Borat]

Just made this today. I don’t have any plans.
But here are some pictures.
I am happy with how it came out.
My old one was not enclosed and was splashing everywhere.

My first ATS was a bit like yours - but I improved it further by going for black acrylic. Less light spillover (not a big deal really). Your next ATS should also feature DIY LEDs on a heatsink, which is really easy to make.

Check out my ATS complete guide:

DIY ATS Build: Complete Guide

This article provides a step-by-step guide on how to build your own Algae Turf Scrubber (ATS). I look forward to everyone's comments/suggestions!

www.ultimatereef.net

 

[Alexr54]

My first ATS was a bit like yours - but I improved it further by going for black acrylic. Less light spillover (not a big deal really). Your next ATS should also feature DIY LEDs on a heatsink, which is really easy to make.

Check out my ATS complete guide:

DIY ATS Build: Complete Guide

This article provides a step-by-step guide on how to build your own Algae Turf Scrubber (ATS). I look forward to everyone's comments/suggestions!

www.ultimatereef.net

I actually wanted light spillover. I have chaeto in my refugium and some live rock.
My only issue is heat. Which I already ordered a couple 24vdc fans which will plug into my apex and will turn on with the ATS lights.