DIY Algae scrubber

[markstrimaran]

I have my zero nitrate 30 gallon tank, I am thinking I might drain and refill it with 25ppm nitrate water from my lower tank. Then pre seed a screen and see what the nitrates are in a week.
Their will be no ammonia, just nitrates for the scrubber to use. If I only run it about 4 hour a day, it would be about equivalent to your light.

 

[markstrimaran]

10 days, and it should be very noticeable. At 1/4 of a watt per square inch. It will be a little slow perhaps.
The sun, according to solar panel people. Puts out 3.4 watts per square inch, at high noon on a clear day.

 

[jaws7777]

I have my zero nitrate 30 gallon tank, I am thinking I might drain and refill it with 25ppm nitrate water from my lower tank. Then pre seed a screen and see what the nitrates are in a week.
Their will be no ammonia, just nitrates for the scrubber to use. If I only run it about 4 hour a day, it would be about equivalent to your light.

Ao how long do you think i will need to run the lights for

 

[markstrimaran]

I would go 24x7. If you have a convenient timer. 11 on 1 off. The biggest problem will be glass cleaning. Every 3 days or so.
I run my 10 watt, 1"x1" led chip, 24x7 with no burn problems. It is on the dry side of the glass. 1" from the screen.

 

[jaws7777]

I kept the new light on all night and it was pretty hot this morning

 

[markstrimaran]

This light has two cooling fans, led will get quite hot. That's a good sign, as they have some power. Any Led over 1 watt will burn out rapidly if not well heat sinked. I use my scrubbers as heaters, and have two 55 gallon chiller/ water change drums in my unheated basement.

 

[markstrimaran]

Here we go, 25 ppm nitrate, one minnow, one crawfish.
Light is 9"×11" 100 leds, @ 3 watts each, pink plant grow light.
On a timer 4 hrs on 20 off.

 

[FMA4ME]

Do you think the silicone in the seams close to the scrubber will be ok, that's going to be some heat cycling.

 

[markstrimaran]

The silicone will be water cooled, most of the heat, through convection, gets pulled away from the lighted side, via an aluminum heat sink. We're the fans cool.
The front is only about 100 degrees.

 

[FMA4ME]

The silicone will be water cooled, most of the heat, through convection, gets pulled away from the lighted side, via an aluminum heat sink. We're the fans cool.
The front is only about 100 degrees.

Ah, got it