After reading a million posts here, I am trying my hand at a turf scrubber. Cobbling together ideas from other reefers, I decided to convert the skimmer sock area and try to maximize surface area. Using waterproof LEDs and boat load of hot glue, I came up with the following design. I post every few days, successes and failures. Let me know if you see anything disastrous looming. Thanks
Cut knitting mesh to make 6 of these “t” shaped grow areas. Hot glued the bottom to the top. I also ran a strip of glue along the long sides of the top pieces, which allowed a channel to form with the water. This helped to fill the top piece and make the flow down the mat better distributed.
For the lighting, I bought 16 feet of AveyLum Plant Grow Light Strip 5050 (Red Blue 4:1) Amazon product , which was recommended in another post. To light the area, I created “fingers” that are double sided. This was, in part, to avoid cutting the strip that would be in the water. Waterproofed or not, any cuts are potential problems. I reinforced the structure with knitting plastic.
Here’s the assembly. I had to cut notches for the lights to drop through. If it works, I have a few enhancements that will make it a little more aesthetically pleasing and longer lasting. Try to take better pictures later.
Top down in the sock holes
Sideview of the turf mats and lights
![8A3CAD19-0583-48D4-B11B-1A32CBA86528.jpeg 8A3CAD19-0583-48D4-B11B-1A32CBA86528.jpeg](https://www.reef2reef.com/data/attachments/2455/2455254-b65b87297c6637727eba69ac6ea8bc96.jpg)
Cut knitting mesh to make 6 of these “t” shaped grow areas. Hot glued the bottom to the top. I also ran a strip of glue along the long sides of the top pieces, which allowed a channel to form with the water. This helped to fill the top piece and make the flow down the mat better distributed.
![4CC98DD8-030E-4666-A3EE-49A91E0267F8.jpeg 4CC98DD8-030E-4666-A3EE-49A91E0267F8.jpeg](https://www.reef2reef.com/data/attachments/2455/2455228-6d230dfad3cb31a7a038e2e1fb519c02.jpg)
For the lighting, I bought 16 feet of AveyLum Plant Grow Light Strip 5050 (Red Blue 4:1) Amazon product , which was recommended in another post. To light the area, I created “fingers” that are double sided. This was, in part, to avoid cutting the strip that would be in the water. Waterproofed or not, any cuts are potential problems. I reinforced the structure with knitting plastic.
Here’s the assembly. I had to cut notches for the lights to drop through. If it works, I have a few enhancements that will make it a little more aesthetically pleasing and longer lasting. Try to take better pictures later.
Top down in the sock holes
![B3BC8467-83C6-46D4-9B69-F52B284C6217.jpeg B3BC8467-83C6-46D4-9B69-F52B284C6217.jpeg](https://www.reef2reef.com/data/attachments/2455/2455257-b12c994aac2452a4117db8d59851911c.jpg)
![4690DEAA-3739-4693-B2F1-FA592AF3CA32.jpeg 4690DEAA-3739-4693-B2F1-FA592AF3CA32.jpeg](https://www.reef2reef.com/data/attachments/2455/2455256-f3b458b2da0e136d34de34b88b0bbd7f.jpg)
Sideview of the turf mats and lights
![492122FE-C0E2-423B-A058-CC3B87A79774.jpeg 492122FE-C0E2-423B-A058-CC3B87A79774.jpeg](https://www.reef2reef.com/data/attachments/2455/2455255-3d500ce2b3765e03a60cf2db7483d748.jpg)
![8A3CAD19-0583-48D4-B11B-1A32CBA86528.jpeg 8A3CAD19-0583-48D4-B11B-1A32CBA86528.jpeg](https://www.reef2reef.com/data/attachments/2455/2455254-b65b87297c6637727eba69ac6ea8bc96.jpg)