Mega Powerful Nitrate and Phosphate Remover - DIY!

[SantaMonica]

Successes Update:

Labperck on the AR site, translated from Spanish as best possible: "My system is 130 liters, DIY skimmer, 5 pounds of live rock, aragonite substrate 3-4 cm, 1 crossbow bursa fish, 2 percula clowns, and 2 feather dusters. Nitrate remained at 40 mg/l with changes in water of 20 percent a week. With changes in water 20 percent weekly, there was no noticeable improvements. Started with the vodka method, nitrates lowered to 30 mg/l, with no change of water for 2 months. The display was filled with filamentous algae and cyano. Then I found this scrubber and decided to try it. Installed lighting on both sides, and started turning off the skimmer at night. A week later, the nitrates are at zero, and the water is more crystalline. For now I'm very happy with this filter, thank you SantaMonica, JulioVideo, and all those who put their advice."

Emporador on the AR site, translated from Spanish as best possible: "Best of all is that today is the first time in my life watching the NO3 test Salifert no3 = 0 ... I can not really believe. Apart from all my efforts to maintain a good filter system, this really gives the expected results."

RiaanP on the MASA site: "Scrubber is now over 3 months old, Phosphates and Nitrates used to be sky high, but now I got no PO4 or NO3 problems."

MarkM3 on the RS site: "Just want to say thanks to Santa Monica. i begin my double-screen 2 month ago for 180 gal heavey load fish, and few soft, lps corals, and i always had 80-100 nitrates from havey stock fish. and now for the first time in 2 years my nitrates level are ((((10 ppm)))) which is amazing, corals are much happier, and pop there polyps more and more, hair algee on the display and rocks almost gone, still have a few red slim but less than before, much more cleanner display and caroline is growing too. its true, its active, its working the algee scrubberrrrrrrrr. go go go gooooo so thanks again."

SimonSKL on the MD site: "Just an update. I have started my ATS [2 months ago] but changed screen material about 5 weeks ago. Today, I am happy to say all cyano have disappeared from my tank and 95% of the hair algae are gone also. I have to add that I did change the water flow pattern by modifying two of my Maxijet 1200 with the Sure Flow adaptors. One pushes 2100gph and the other 1600gph, in a wavemaking mode. The screens that I now used are plastic canvas and doubled layers. I am still getting really dark brown algae growing on the screens and cleaning them about every 5-6 days. "

Glock339 on the UR site: "I [originally] set up my current nano to be Miracle Mud eco system. However I never actually got round to planting any algae in the MM, as I set up an algae scrubber and my params went perfect in a few weeks. so I' happy with things the way they are and probably shouldnt have bothered with the MM. Dunno if this helps but I'd defo recommend considering a scrubber to anyone wanting to ditch the skimmer and phos reactor."

Dragon1188 on the SG site: "Just like to share that i just simply use a piece of plastic sheet (the white color one u can buy from Popular bookshop and quite rough) inclined at 30 degree to catch the return water to my sump. The piece of plastic is lighted by 2x8watt of Philips "tornado" energy saver bulb running 24x7 [should be 18 hours]. The piece of plastic is just 46cm long and 40cm wide. Total water flow over it is about 2000L/hr. My tank and sump volume is 400 L. After 1months, green (both hairy and fern like) and red algae (matt) growing like crazy [on the screen]. Can harvest 1 fistfull every 3 days. I had even removed my phosphate reactor and skimmer. Its been running 4months now and my phosphate is about 0.01ppm and nitrate is 0."

Da_Gopherboy on the 3R site: "I also battled nitrates for a while, my tank was FOLR for a while before I desided to add coral. Since I didn't intend to go in that direction originally nitrates were not my concern. So I was stuck trying to figure out how to drop the nitrates without contant water changes, or buying a denitrator (US Economy makes me poor). I made an ATS scrubber that was fed by my overflow right above my refugium. Nitrates made almost an 80% decrease within less than 2 months."

DangerDave on 3R: "I have been running the turf scrubber close to 4 months now. I haven't done a water change in about 2 months now. I just top the tank off. I do not have to clean the glass every couple hours or everyday. I clean the glass about once or twice a week (I have to clean/scrap the coraline off more than the algae). Coraline has taken off, corals are flourishing, mushrooms are splitting like crazy, everything is doing superb."

 

[SantaMonica]

Scrubber FAQ 3.5 is now posted:

http://www.algaescrubber.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=68

 

[MyFishEatYourFish]

sorry if this has already been explained and i missed it but what does algae take out of the water that normal plants like grape and feather calerpa don't? is it just that algae does it much faster and more thouroughly? or are there actually things algae removes that plants don't?
thanks SM for this thread and all the info thats come with it

 

[SantaMonica]

They all remove the same thing. The difference is in the power. Since all of the scrubber algae is right near the light, it has much more photosynthesis, and thus much more processing power. Also, the strong flow over the algae delivers much more nutirents to it. And the turbulence of the flow breaks up the boundary layer on the algae (this layer slows down nutrients transfer.) Lastly, since the entire screen is removable from the system for cleaning, none of the broken pieces of algae get into the system, since you are not pulling it out from the sump.

Good question. I'll use this as an update.

 

[SantaMonica]

Update: Best Ready-To-Use Light

Aside from a custom-made T5H0 light panel (lots of lumens, really near the screen), the best overall light you can buy is something like this outdoor landscaping light:

It's non-rusting, non-corrosive, weatherproof, thin, temperature resistant, compact flourescent, bolt-on, adjustable, and the bulbs are replaced easily:

RAB PLF39 39W CFL Landscape Flood 120V:
http://www.prolighting.com/rabpl39wcfll.html

Housing and Lens: Corrosion and vandal resistant polycarbonate lens and housing.
Lamp: (3) 13W twin tube fluorescent GX23 (Included).
Lens Gasket: High temperature tubular silicone.
Finish: Architectural bronze.
Reflector: Anodized aluminum.
Voltage: 120 volts AC.
Mounting: Adjustable swivel mounting arm with 1/2" thread.
Size: 7.25" (18cm) wide, 9" (23cm) high, 3.5" (9cm) deep
Cost: $67 USD

This one is 39 watts (three bulbs) which is perfect for most screens, but they make smaller 26 and 13 watt (nano) size ones also. These types of light are surely available at larger home improvement stores, I just could not find them. Here are some other types too:

http://lightsofamerica.com/Products/9265.aspx
http://www.allproducts.com/manufacture100/classiclighting/product3.jpg
http://www.ec-securehost.com/positiveenergyconservationprod./LIGHTING.html#PE565

 

[SantaMonica]

New Screen Material

Well after months of figuring out what are the best attributes are for a scrubber screen, and also after getting reports from hundreds of people as to what screen material worked best for them, I think I've come up with a material that is perfect for the job. I'm offering this screen for free to anyone who wants to try it (just pay shipping). Here are some pics, and some advantages, to this material:

It's Clear Plastic: This allows light from one side of the screen to shine through to the other side. For a (new) two-sided screen, this means both sides of the screen get light from both bulbs; for one-sided screens, it means the dark side will still get some light from the bulb on the other side.

It's Thick: 1/4 inch (6mm). This allows much more room for algae to grip to, so washings/cleanings will not strip all the algae (no matter how hard you scrub). For total algae removal, you can just use a hair brush to push all the algae completely out. If you already have a pipe that is cut for canvas (usually a 1/8" or 3mm slot), you'll need to widen it to 5/16" (8mm).

It Flows Through: Since the screen is not solid, it allows algae from both sides to attach to each other in the middle, thus giving the algae even greater holding-power during cleanings and high flow.

It's Semi-Rigid: This gives a small screen enough strength to hold up a pipe by itself, and gives large screens the ability to prevent waviness, and from flopping out of position.

It's Bendable: You can put a large screen in a small sink for cleaning; it also is possible to bend the screen into a circular-screen configuration (i.e., inside a bucket.)

It Holds Roughness (after you rough it up). Attack it with 30 grit sandpaper, wire brushes, power sanders, etc, and the roughness will stay. Give yourself about one hour to rough up both sides.

It's Sturdy: It resists hard cleanings, even if you use fingernails, credit cards, or razors.

It's Reef Safe: Is made of standard hard-plastic material.

It can be used as-is for vertical screens, or it can be glued to a solid plastic sheet for horizontal screens (the sheet keeps water from flowing through the screen.)

So if anyone wants to try it, the screens I'm starting out with are a little smaller than a square foot; they are about 11.5" X 11.5" (29cm X 29cm). If you need two of these sheets to fit your scrubber, let me know. I'll keep the packing and shipping cost the same for everyone, $10 USD, including international. Paypal is easiest, but whatever works. PM me.

 

[goarn]

hello guys. first of all i want to thank Santamonica for this AWESOME topic =)
i've read it all at once.
anyway, i've just ordered my new 35 gallons aquarium and ~10 gallons sump. after reading all those, i decided not to buy a skimmer and make a Scrubber instead. can i use it from the beginning?
and one more question. i live in Turkey and it's hard to find RO here. and i dont have enough $$$ for a RO gadget =) what if i use normal water(not RO and which comes from the tap.)? it contains quite high Phospate so will scrubber be enough to remove it you think?

if it removes Phospate i'll use not-drinkable tap water. else, i'll buy some drinkable water from mart. which'll cost me around 60$.

thank you =)

 

[SantaMonica]

Yes you can use it from the beginning. Real growth will start once you start feeding your fish.

As for using tap water, a few people are experimenting with this. If fish-only, it's ok if there is no chlorine or chloramines in the water. Add some de-chlorinator if there is.

If you have corals, you can try it, but make the scrubber twice as big, and with twice the wattage lighting, as needed. And start the scrubber first, and add corals one at a time per week, and see what happens.

 

[SantaMonica]

I'm going to be posting new example designs soon, so if you have not already posted your pics, do so now and I'll include it for others to see.

 

[SantaMonica]

.
Time for 66 new examples of scrubber designs:


MudShark on the MASA site:

Captevo on the Algae Scrubber site, with a nano setup:

Jarhead80 on the UR site, with a nano setup:

Chris003 on the 3R site:

AcuarioOceanic on the AR site:

AdolfoRuiz on the AR site:

Calunga on the AR site:

CesarRosh on the AR site:

Emperador on the AR site:

JJavier1976 on the AR site:

Labperck on the AR site:

Mario_Mendoza on the AR site:

Saulhs on the AR site:

Renman303 on the ARC site:

Aaarr on the Algae Scrubber site:

Gasha on the Algae Scrubber site, with a top-of-tank setup:

Hobogato on the Algae Scrubber site:

JDlon on the Algae Scrubber site:

Kbaker on the Algae Scrubber site, with a solar powered turtle tank:

Ktsdad on the Algae Scrubber site, with a bio-ball container design:

Mystic.Bertie on the Algae Scrubber site:

Natapa on the Algae Scrubber site, with an outdoor SW aquaculture pond:

OceanRock on the Algae Scrubber site:

RumpyPumpy on the Algae Scrubber site:

Worley on the Algae Scrubber site:

MT1071 on the FF site:

Slick_Fish on the FF site:

Darb on the FL site:

Jrunyon210 on the FL site:

Imdaring on the LR site:

Amalick on the MASA site:

Halogen on the MB site:

Huhhhhh on the MB site did a fantastic build. This type of scrubber is the most powerful you can fit in a small space, because all of the light is strong and near to the screen:

Here are the water resistant end caps for the bulbs:
http://www.customaquatic.com/estore/control/product/~product=LT-VA72613

Here is the ballast (powers up to 6 bulbs):
http://www.1000bulbs.com/Fulham-Ballast-Workhorse-8/6189/

Here is the wiring diragram:
www.fulham.com/images/WDgifs/wire29.gif

Chelsey on the RC site:

Tige21 on the MD site:

SimonSKL on the MD site did a nice solar pond scrubber:

SimonSKL on the MD site also did a nice build that lets you remove the screen while the water is still flowing:

And here is a video of the screen removal:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_P0ZITI0h6o




CardBoardBoxProcessor on the MFT site:

Mudcrab on the MFT site, with a great design that slides in and out:

Craig on the NZ site:

Sl1me on the NZ site:

Birador on the RP site:

Boom_Smashers on the RP site:

GrAhF11 on the RP site:

Rav888 on the RP site:

Ronron on the RP site:

Kiwiman456 on the RS site:

Markm3 on the RS site:

Ender on the SARK site:

Punk on the SARK site:

Milburnr on the SC site:

Dragon1188 on the SG site:

Johntanjm on the SG site:

Loowk on the SG site:

Reefme on the SG site:

Snaper on the SG site:

Wideawake on the SG site:

Creetin on the SRC site:

Darasy on the TCMAS site:

FiveSmallWorlds on the TCMAS site:

Craigg on the UR site:

Wormside on the UR site: