DIY Algae scrubber

[kno4te]

So far getting about 2.5 weeks without a wc. Gotta do it as it get about 40ppm.

So now I've reduced the flow thru the pump. Not sure what's the flow rate but hoping it'll be close to 30gph. Will see.

 

[jaws7777]

So far getting about 2.5 weeks without a wc. Gotta do it as it get about 40ppm.

So now I've reduced the flow thru the pump. Not sure what's the flow rate but hoping it'll be close to 30gph. Will see.

Im really curious as to what your flow rate is. Seems like its working great for you. I still have nit noticed anything. Could be when i re did the filter the aneribic bb that may have been establishing was killed by having exposure to oxygen?


Also found that gph has taken a huge hit. Looks to be around 15 gph maybe not enough to feed bb and its causing it to not colonize? Jist ordered a new pump

 

[jaws7777]

So yet another set back with this project. The little 300 gph pump started out ok i was getting around 40ish gph tested it yesterday and got 15gph.

Figured screw it i'll use a spare jebao dct i have laying around. Plumbed it up and im shocked on setting 8 which is around 1300 gph im getting 40 gph out of the denitrate tower. Headloss is anput 20ft. 2 ft towers plus the end caps = 9ft, tubing = 10 ft, and 1 ft for all the connecting pipes between the towers.

As of today im still not seeing any reduction in nitrates.

I put ball valves on each end not know where i would need to reduc flow. The one on the right is fully closed and the left is fully opened so the towers are getting 100%of the flow

 

[jaws7777]

kno4te tarheel96 .....thoughts ?

 

[tarheel96]

Let me make sure I understand the setup. Please correct me where I'm wrong.

With the right valve closed it's like running the jebao output directly into the denitrator input? You have the pump on setting 8 so the pump has a max flowrate of 1300 gph but your only getting 40 gph from the denitrator output? The pump is in the sump but is the denitrator output leading to the tank or to the sump? If it's going to the sump, especially, I'd say the mechanical pre-filtration inside one of the towers must be clogged. What filtration do you have? Filter fiber? I'd think you'd get a *much* higher flowrate through the denitrator with that pump setting and setup.

 

[jaws7777]

Let me make sure I understand the setup. Please correct me where I'm wrong.

With the right valve closed it's like running the jebao output directly into the denitrator input? You have the pump on setting 8 so the pump has a max flowrate of 1300 gph but your only getting 40 gph from the denitrator output? The pump is in the sump but is the denitrator output leading to the tank or to the sump? If it's going to the sump, especially, I'd say the mechanical pre-filtration inside one of the towers must be clogged. What filtration do you have? Filter fiber? I'd think you'd get a *much* higher flowrate through the denitrator with that pump setting and setup.

Correct. From the left side of the pump the hose runs to the towers.

And yes the valve on the right is completely closed.

1 min 30 seconds to fill a 1 gal jug, 40 gph ?

I reaaaaaaallly do not eant to open the towers today....smh

Fish Tank Travis

What need to pick your brain buddy. You know im horrible with head loss.

Dct 6000 max flow 1585 max head
12.5 ft

Currently on setting 8 which should be around 1380 something gph. Head height is aroumd 16 to 17 ft with plumbing, 3/4 tubing, some ball valves and unions.
Getting 40 gph out of the return

 

[kno4te]

I'd imagine as well there's a clog somewhere in the towers at the level of filters as well. Which towers has the mech filters? Is it before or after the media? The gph in each tower maybe varying.

 

[jaws7777]

I'd imagine as well there's a clog somewhere in the towers at the level of filters as well. Which towers has the mech filters? Is it before or after the media? The gph in each tower maybe varying.

No mech in any. Some small peices of foam in each tower near the connecting pipes to stop media from getting caught in the plumbing between each tower

 

[Fish Tank Travis]

Correct. From the left side of the pump the hose runs to the towers.
View attachment 1253818 View attachment 1253819
And yes the valve on the right is completely closed.

1 min 30 seconds to fill a 1 gal jug, 40 gph ?

I reaaaaaaallly do not eant to open the towers today....smh

Fish Tank Travis

What need to pick your brain buddy. You know im horrible with head loss.

Dct 6000 max flow 1585 max head
12.5 ft

Currently on setting 8 which should be around 1380 something gph. Head height is aroumd 16 to 17 ft with plumbing, 3/4 tubing, some ball valves and unions.
Getting 40 gph out of the return

Hey, sorry I haven't kept up with this thread for a little while. Do you mind letting me know about the setup? What flow rate are you looking for? What is the order of the plumbing? What is inside the towers? What are the plumbing sizes throughout the system? What is the height of the water at the pump inlet and the height of the discharge?

I should be able to take this stuff and figure out about what your flow should be and whether or not you have a clog somewhere.

 

[jaws7777]

Hey, sorry I haven't kept up with this thread for a little while. Do you mind letting me know about the setup? What flow rate are you looking for? What is the order of the plumbing? What is inside the towers? What are the plumbing sizes throughout the system? What is the height of the water at the pump inlet and the height of the discharge?

I should be able to take this stuff and figure out about what your flow should be and whether or not you have a clog somewhere.

3x 4 inch pvc towers at 26 inches each.

3/4 pvc and unions connect the towers to each other around 12 inches of 3/4 pipe

10 ft of 3/4 inch tubing from pump and back to the sump.

At the pump 1 1/4 reduced to a 1 inch tee, two ball valves the one on the right is completely closed. On the left (to the towers) is reduced down to 3/4 pvc.

Towers are filled with bio and a few small peices of foam near the connection between the towers.

Roumd about estimate of 16 to 17 ft of head if i count the tubing.

Pump is a dct 6000