Seesaw Algae Turf Scrubber

[Koolaid]

My next endeavor this week is to build a seesaw or dump style turf scrubber. Has anyone built or thought of building one for their sump? My inspiration comes from Morgan Lidster owner of Inland Aquatics. I would simply purchase one from Inland, but their average price for an acrylic scrubber is a whopping $300+. Ive seen how simple it operates, and decided I can do that. I've already designed and build my own sump why stop there. I'm having a steady climb in nitrates and would like to counter it without us of more chemicals. I've thought of using wood planks wrapped in marine fiber glass mesh and resin. What are your thoughts? How would you build one? What materials would you use?

 

[Koolaid]

My next endeavor this week is to build a seesaw or dump style turf scrubber. Has anyone built or thought of building one for their sump? My inspiration comes from Morgan Lidster owner of Inland Aquatics. I would simply purchase one from Inland, but their average price for an acrylic scrubber is a whopping $300+. Ive seen how simple it operates, and decided I can do that. I've already designed and build my own sump why stop there. I'm having a steady climb in nitrates and would like to counter it without us of more chemicals. I've thought of using wood planks wrapped in marine fiber glass mesh and resin. What are your thoughts? How would you build one? What materials would you use?

www.Atscrubber.con

 

[reefwiser]

I built one like Dr. Walter Adey of the Smithsonian Institution in 1992 for one of my tanks. Its all about balancing the weight of the water.
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/AlgScrubrArtBryan.htm

 

[Feet4Fish]

Are you thinking a weighted version or more like his current ones where water collects under the chute to act as counter weight?

 

[reefwiser]

Well you have water that builds up in the tipper and it overcomes the weight of the assembly to then dump water into the tank. It was fun making it I actually went to DC and visited Dr. Adey in his home where the person who made the device showed my how to make it. It was a fun time.:)

 

[Breadman03]

You might consider looking into surge boxes for some design ideas. I'm sure there's some design carryover between the two.

 

[Koolaid]

E="soffutt, post: 2931722, member: 49795"]Are you thinking a weighted version or more like his current ones where water collects under the chute to act as counter weight?[/QUOTE]
There's a third version with divider in the middle that caught my eye as simple design less figuring and tweaking. But any design done right would work.

 

[Koolaid]

Well you have water that builds up in the tipper and it overcomes the weight of the assembly to then dump water into the tank. It was fun making it I actually went to DC and visited Dr. Adey in his home where the person who made the device showed my how to make it. It was a fun time.:)

What materials can be used? I was planning on using wood wrapped in Fiber glass mesh and resin. I figure if well cured it would be aquarium safe.

 

[ReeferBob]

The interaction with ATOs would be my concern.

 

[reefwiser]

I used a sheet of PVC just like the original ones.

 

[sundog101]

This is really interesting. How well do you think this would work compared to a traditional scrubber?

 

[Koolaid]

QUOTE="sundog101, post: 2932416, member: 45325"]This is really interesting. How well do you think this would work compared to a traditional scrubber?[/QUOTE]
Ive seen the effects first hand, can't say for sure that its better than anything out there it just appeals to me.

 

[sundog101]

Well it definitely has the cool factor.

 

[seanthecity]

Very interesting. Keep us posted on your results

 

[Windy]

I built a ATS in 1998 based on Adey's book. Didn't like it and built a horizontal ATS with a pump and timer to raise and lower the water level. Ran it for about 4 years before moving. I now have a waterfall type ATS with LED lighting. It is so much more effective than the older version, it hard to believe. If I were you I would be looking at a water fall type. Easy and very effective for the size.

 

[aabjones888]

Agreed with what he said above, start looking at the waterfall type. It takes up a lot less room to have a waterfall type and a lot less to worry about. I bought one from inland prolly 8 years ago and I only had problems with it. It was the teeter totter dump style. It would work fine for days and than I'd come home and it would be caught up and not dumping no more. I ran it on my sump too. No need to worry about the auto top off because u can put where it dumps into a part of your sump where your ato isn't at.
I would defintaly look into the waterfall type. If u have any questions about the ats from inland u can message me.

 

[Koolaid]

I set up a waterfall ats, how long before I see results?

 

[reefwiser]

It will take a few months for the algae to form and start growing. You should start seeing a brown slime type algae first.

 

[Windy]

I am curious what the folded screen at the top is for? Otherwise should work, but you may have to adjust water rate or lights as it matures.

 

[Koolaid]

I am curious what the folded screen at the top is for? Otherwise should work, but you may have to adjust water rate or lights as it matures.

Flows alil high that is catching water spray still experimental phase may scrap it one with better flow control. (Ball valve on the side).