DIY Algae scrubber

[jaws7777]

Thats a great idea cultivating it in the creek.
I had to use the hobby mesh as the acrylic just wouldnt fit and i was too lazy to start cutting it again.

I dod read about the formula but to me it was very subjective. I could probably fit another screen on the other side of the pump.

Also does its placement matter ? I have a decent amount of room behind the filter socks on each side of the tank

 

[markstrimaran]

As placement, any place that has way filter bits of algae from the return pump.

In a place that is easy service. My up flow scrubber is on my top tank, inside a baffled area. It has a one light on the out side of the glass, it needs regular glass cleaning. Which is a dripping water off my elbow, onto the piano below. So it grows and I get reduced harvests.

It is getting reworked into a above the tank fluidized media scrubber, as soon as I finish the pressurized closed loop filter sock / swimming pool filter k1, project .

 

[jaws7777]

As placement, any place that has way filter bits of algae from the return pump.

In a place that is easy service. My up flow scrubber is on my top tank, inside a baffled area. It has a one light on the out side of the glass, it needs regular glass cleaning. Which is a dripping water off my elbow, onto the piano below. So it grows and I get reduced harvests.

It is getting reworked into a above the tank fluidized media scrubber, as soon as I finish the pressurized closed loop filter sock / swimming pool filter k1, project .

Man thats sound impressive. Be nice to see it in progress.

Well this is what i cam up with. Im more than likely going to get strip leds and enclose them in another tote bttom.


So what type of nitrate reduction have you noticed once it took off ?

So do i leave the lights on for 24/7 until it establishes ?

 

[markstrimaran]

It mostly removes ammonia, from ever becoming nitrate.

It will remove nitrates. In my tanks I notice only a 5 to 10 ppm dip, between scrubber harvesting and 45% water changes.

I think an optimal 15ppm to 30ppm of nitrate, grows the most algea.

My bottom 75 gallon tank started with 6 small 3" fish.
That have grown and reproduced in to about 40. So I added another scrubber, improved water circulation. Increased mechanical filtration, down to 200 microns.
My last 45% water change was yesterday, my nitrate is 20 ppm top and 15ppm bottom. Using 10ppm tap water.

12 on 12 off, 8 on 4 off, 6 on 2 off, repeating cycle.
It will take about a week to green up. At first it will be a green scum algea. If the light is too intense. You will see a blanched spot. Very unlikely with your upflow, and small light.
How many watt is it?

 

[jaws7777]

Very unlikely with your upflow, and small light.
How many watt is it?

View attachment 1235213

Meaning i wont grow anything with the current set up ?
the grow light is 5w i also have this 60w red led (looks more orange).


I figured the grow light would be better.
What spectrum is best and which should i use until the new lights arrive ?
Im going to get a strip led should i get just red or get the grow light types that have the red/blue/purple mix ratio

Sorry for all the questions

 

[markstrimaran]

My guess is the red light is a colored lens on a bright white array of .5 watt LED chips. Your leading the way into uncharted waters, keep us posted.

The 5 watt will grow about a 3" circle, if close enouph, very little burn risk. Probably go 24hr, once it greens.

strip led.???
Count the total number of leds, you need at least 1 watt leds, 5 watt led array with 20 leds, will not work.

A 23 watt CFL will work.

660nm. Deep red. And 423nm acetic blue.
Red being the best.

 

[FMA4ME]

Interesting thread. Does the growing algae actually get maintained?

 

[kno4te]

I think it was mentioned only a 5-20 ppm drop? Is that right? I thought it'd be a lot more.

 

[markstrimaran]

Interesting thread. Does the growing algae actually get maintained?

It gets removed once a week, typically alternating sides on a 2 sided screen.

I have a experiential "Drip Thru" and "fluidized ping pong ball" That will be self cleaning, if possible.

The drip thru, has been feeding some african cichlid fry .Automatically.

 

[markstrimaran]

I think it was mentioned only a 5-20 ppm drop? Is that right? I thought it'd be a lot more.

I hold steady near 15 to 20 ppm, 24x7. It would be interesting to see, just how high they would get. If I turned off the scrubbers. For a week.
It's just hard to get an accurate ppm above 30ppm. As I can't tell, 40 ppm from 200ppm.
Without cutting the sample 20 to 1.