DIY Algae scrubber

[tarheel96]

I turned the pump up to max flow (rated for 120gph) ... Im wondering if this is going to be effective though. Usually this stuff is put in canisters or hob with much higher flow rate.

I'm betting it'll be more effective even though the flowrate is about 1/3rd lower because more water is flowing over the surface of the polymers. If it does removes more waste from the water like this then it should exhaust more quickly compared to the same amount in a canister.

 

[jaws7777]

I'm betting it'll be more effective even though the flowrate is about 1/3rd lower because more water is flowing over the surface of the polymers. If it does removes more waste from the water like this then it should exhaust more quickly compared to the same amount in a canister.

Mt thoughts were it needs comtact with the organic matter before it emters the nitrogen cycle and with the minimal flow rate would it really be affective on a 300 gal. But i see what your saying and agrer the beads are all a darkish tan. Not spent yet but definitly absorbing waste

 

[jaws7777]

kmuda markstrimaran kno4te Angelphish tarheel96

I want to get started on the denitrate filter. But was wondering what you all though about this idea. Excuse the terminology and crude drawing. The way im understanding this is it may be better to have more room for the water to "loose" oxygen so would have two smaller towers one filled with dense poret foam amd the other filled with seachem denitrate possibly work better than a single tower filled with media ?
No way the wife wil let me put in a 6ft tower lol



Another idea is to sit the pump in one of the overflows and have the return of the denitrate filter sit in the sump.

 

[Angelphish]

kmuda markstrimaran kno4te Angelphish tarheel96

I want to get started on the denitrate filter. But was wondering what you all though about this idea. Excuse the terminology and crude drawing. The way im understanding this is it may be better to have more room for the water to "loose" oxygen so would have two smaller towers one filled with dense poret foam amd the other filled with seachem denitrate possibly work better than a single tower filled with media ?
No way the wife wil let me put in a 6ft tower lol

View attachment 1240972

Another idea is to sit the pump in one of the overflows and have the return of the denitrate filter sit in the sump.

That looks like it would work well, and possibly better than a single canister.

 

[kno4te]

I think it'll work well. I think the poret foam should be 20ppi. Remember discussion prior that it'll hold bacteria and won't clog as quick.

Think you'll need like 6 liters of denitrate for a 300g tank. It might be easier for the pump to work in the sump. The pump I have takes some priming to get it to push the water. A little surprised but noticed it the other day after a water change.

 

[markstrimaran]

Tank water down the center, up flows, down the center on second stage. Up flow into as many as you might need. In series or numerous small canisters pparrael.

 

[jaws7777]

That looks like it would work well, and possibly better than a single canister.

I think it'll work well. I think the poret foam should be 20ppi. Remember discussion prior that it'll hold bacteria and won't clog as quick.

Think you'll need like 6 liters of denitrate for a 300g tank. It might be easier for the pump to work in the sump. The pump I have takes some priming to get it to push the water. A little surprised but noticed it the other day after a water change.

You used 3L in a 2 ft tower ? Trying to gauge the size i'll need.

View attachment 1240984
Tank water down the center, up flows, down the center on second stage. Up flow into as many as you might need. In series or numerous small canisters pparrael.

How has it been in terms of nitrate reduction ?

I guess this is where things get tricky. I have the same pump kno4te is using. 40gph. Will it be able to push water through 2 or 3 towers ? If not how do i figure out what size pump i would need to achieve the 30 to 40 gph range ?

 

[kno4te]

For my 125g I got 3liters in 2ft tall and 4inch wide pvc pipe. Supposedly good for 100-200g. So 6L will should get 200-400 g coverage.

The pump should be able to push through 2-3 towers. If in series. If the tubing is short and not have to push up too much height then it shouldn't be a prob.

I only noticed this yesterday after a wc. The pump had to be primed to get it going. Not sure if it'll happen again after another wc.

 

[kno4te]

My last nitrate check was the other day @30ppm. That's after a feeding and once a week wc's. Hope it'll get lower soon.

 

[jaws7777]

My last nitrate check was the other day @30ppm. That's after a feeding and once a week wc's. Hope it'll get lower soon.

I thought it took a few months for the anerobic bb to start up ?