Mega Powerful Nitrate and Phosphate Remover - DIY!

[Tien]

I have had mine running for a week and no traces of algae (freshwater). I have high nitrites and nitrates as it is a test tank with goldfish. I don't think it needs to fully cycle before growing algae. I used fiberglass screen for the scrubber. It is the same screen that goes on the outside of windows to keep bugs out while leaving the window open. I sand papered the screen a little, but not much as it has plenty of places for algae to grow. Do you think fiberglass is too slippery for the algae?

 

[SantaMonica]

Sometime that type of screen has anti-fungus chemicals. Best not to use it. Plastic canvas is best.

 

[Tien]

Here are the pics of the scrubber. If the fiberglass wont work soon I will try another plastic.

 

[SantaMonica]

The light is way too far. Bring with 4". How many watts?

 

[Tien]

It is 75 watts I believe. I also have 2 smaller lights on it. I will try to get the light closer to the screen and see how it goes from there. I am excited to see how it handles the nitrates with a bunch of dirty gold fish.

 

[SantaMonica]

Real or equivalent watts?

 

[Tien]

Equivalent I believe. I will check when I return from out of town. The bulb is one of the swirly bulbs that are supposed to last like 15 years. I do not recall exactly the name of them. Are equivalent wattages not good for the scrubber?

 

[SantaMonica]

Use real watts only, 1 watt per gallon for high filtering.

Also, these bulb only last 3 months, even though they look fine.

 

[kl7919]

that is very good idea, am will put one in my sump. thank

 

[earthstudent]

I am a big fan of the algae scrubber. I can not recommend them enough.