DIY Algae scrubber

[tarheel96]

@markstrimarman - What flowrate are you using through the denitrator? Is the 30gph circulation pump separate or inline?

 

[markstrimaran]

I only building back up the population. The total volume is only 5 gallons. The pump is in the bucket with the denitator. Very closed loop. This way all the sugar gets recycled until it gets used anaerobicly.
I have multiple 5 gallon buckets with ages anoxic water, I will switch buckets, to start a new batch, this will give be better data, on how much sugar to use.

 

[jaws7777]

Got started on it this morning

 

[tarheel96]

I have multiple 5 gallon buckets with ages anoxic water, I will switch buckets, to start a new batch, this will give be better data, on how much sugar to use.

Thanks Mark. I know some people want to dose as little as possible so it's good to have a better idea of where that might be.

I got the Aquaripure bacteria culture in the mail. The instructions say to dose with equal parts bacteria culture and nutrient (alcohol, vinegar, & sugar). Add 4 - 20 ml of each into the denitrator no more than once every four days until the denitrator has finished cycling.

That's not very much carbon. These denitrators have a very slow flow rate (drip rate). The largest denitrator runs at 90 gallons per week (1/2 GPH). (I don't have an Aquaripure Denitrator btw). $350 for .... no.

With flowrates that slow is nutrient even needed to accelerate the oxygen burn? Or, in this case, is the nutrient more for the denitrifying bacteria?

 

[markstrimaran]

At 1/2 gph. Oxygen will run out on its own. I was trying to get 20 GPD, at such low flows, denitration was not making much of an impact on a 200 gallon system.
It's like a drip system vs a fin level water change. The drip is going to use 7 times the water as the final level change, for the same end results.

 

[markstrimaran]

Were you able to get any growth with the cheapo lights ?

Was thinking id i spray paint the purigen reactor black and throw in the screen and a sumbersible light maybe its worth a try. Dont want all the algae growing all over the sump.

Anu suggestions on a cheapish sumbersible light that will fit in a 1 gallon jug ?

This might actually work. 3 watt led, just sodered, to a 7 volt 300ma transformer. I will tell you when it burns out.

 

[markstrimaran]

Remodeled with 660nm red, I left 8 blues alone.

 

[markstrimaran]

It has the typical "full spectrum purple". It will be primed and then epoxy coated. Before becoming completely liquid cooled.
I also have about 40 led to "experiment with"

. So please don't try this at home. Then blame me for the disaster.

 

[tarheel96]

Remodeled with 660nm red, I left 8 blues alone.

What wavelength are the blues? I'd think 420-430nm would work better than 460nm blue.

 

[markstrimaran]

I think their 430nm, Chinese instructions are vague



These came finialy also. They were hot glued, and semi submerged. Two are still going after 6 months. The new ones are 10 watt 660nm reds, they will be wet or dry, with an aluminum heat sink.