Nano-ish DIY ATS scrubber

[MrDJeep123]

I'm sure there's been someone else post something similar here, so I apologize for redundancy.

OK. So I decided to make an upflow ATS. It's tiny compared to what I've seen, but I think it will help. I had some parts laying around so this project cost less than $10. It was fairly simple. Maybe 45 minutes. I haven't painted it yet. It's not in the tank because I don't have a light yet to afix to the outside of the tank. Next weekend. Comments are welcomed!


The supplies:

Prepping the tupperware. Holes on top and holes on the bottom. I used a dremel.

I used a straw for grid support. I didn't have anything else reef safe. I also glued suction cups to the corners. My local store didn't have smaller ones so I had to make do.
At this point i cut small slits in the airline tubing. Upon further reflection, a line of small drilled holes would've worked. I threaded the hose through the bottom two holes. I glued a portion down so the grid will stay in field of bubbles.

Testing the setup:
It's not much to look at. But it won't be seen in a sump or in my case the back chamber to a biocube. After it dried, I painted the outside black with acrylic black. I see no reason this won't grow any algae.

 

[Djshabb]

Looks interesting please update with photos I may try this in my biocube

 

[MrDJeep123]

Looks interesting please update with photos I may try this in my biocube

Most certainly!

 

[Djshabb]

What part did you paint black?

 

[MrDJeep123]

The outside of the tupperware. Sorry for the lack of clarification.

 

[Djshabb]

Sounds like a good project for me this weekend!

 

[MrDJeep123]

Sweet!

 

[fishheadz]

Kudos on your creation, great! Reminder to try and focus a light source directly above the device, and scuff the plastic mat for better algae attachment.

 

[MrDJeep123]

Kudos on your creation, great! Reminder to try and focus a light source directly above the device, and scuff the plastic mat for better algae attachment.

I've actually been reading some on this, and you are correct in that I need to rough up the canvas. The lighting, however, doesn't have to be directly above, but facing it. Otherwise this wouldn't work.

 

[Djshabb]

Top view of the one I made using your idea. I scuffed the material up s well.

 

[MrDJeep123]

Awesome! Post back in a few days and let me see that algae! I've been busy with snow and kids and haven't time to get a light for the tank. I have to fix my rack too since it's a little wide.

 

[Davesgt]

Pretty cool design! ill be following

 

[ravi197699]

you might want to paint that black so that light won't escape through clear plastic and algae does not grow in your tank instead of ATS... JMO

 

[Djshabb]

It's in the back chamber not in the display

 

[KorD]

So how does this work out?? updates please

 

[MrDJeep123]

So how does this work out?? updates please

Well, it worked out until the acrylic paint started peeling off. That was about a week into it being placed in the tank. Then I upgraded from the cube to my current 40g. In hindsight, krylon fusion would've worked better. I no longer use this since I made the replacement out of plexi. It looked much nicer and produced better results. Thanks for asking!

 

[KorD]

Thanks for the update @MrJeep123. I am thinking of building one for my tank and was recommended as a better option then using a cheato section in my small sump/fugue.

 

[MrDJeep123]

Thanks for the update @MrJeep123. I am thinking of building one for my tank and was recommended as a better option then using a cheato section in my small sump/fugue.

Go for it!