Anyone using an algae turf scrubber?
- Thread starter RexBrown
- Start date
Sorry for a delayed response, but I needed the time to sit and draw up a diagram of what I did.
The screen is plastic canvas and can be bought at a craft store. Now, you want to rough up the screen first. I used a large metal file to tear it up and give it a rough texture. Also, it's recommended that you use one square inch of screen per gallon, lit on both sides. If only lit one one side, then use two square inches per gallon.
The pump I used is a Reef Tec 4000 (1050gph). Maybe more gph than I needed, but I had it sitting around. I'm using a ball valve to adjust the flow to what looks right(not very scientific of me).
In the illustration you can see the plumbing. I used union connections to remove the screen for cleaning. Some don't and just cut and then reattach the zip ties. Under the ball valve, I used a hose barb connector to go to the pump.
The ATS is sitting in my sump and needed a support to hold it up. I used PVC to do it.
I found these PVC snap on T's at lowes.
You can see here how I made legs for it
I cut a slit in the pipe that is about 1/8 inch wide. Inserted the screen and secured with zip ties.
Again, this is a great FAQ and a definite read if you're going to build one.
It answered a lot of questions I had: http://www.algaescrubber.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=68
So far, I'm pretty happy. I removed my skimmer after my first algae harvest(maybe too soon - but see no ill effects) and The algae growth in my tank has drastically decreased in the last week and a half.
I hope this helps.
Let me know if you have any other questions .
The screen is plastic canvas and can be bought at a craft store. Now, you want to rough up the screen first. I used a large metal file to tear it up and give it a rough texture. Also, it's recommended that you use one square inch of screen per gallon, lit on both sides. If only lit one one side, then use two square inches per gallon.
The pump I used is a Reef Tec 4000 (1050gph). Maybe more gph than I needed, but I had it sitting around. I'm using a ball valve to adjust the flow to what looks right(not very scientific of me).
In the illustration you can see the plumbing. I used union connections to remove the screen for cleaning. Some don't and just cut and then reattach the zip ties. Under the ball valve, I used a hose barb connector to go to the pump.
The ATS is sitting in my sump and needed a support to hold it up. I used PVC to do it.
I found these PVC snap on T's at lowes.
You can see here how I made legs for it
I cut a slit in the pipe that is about 1/8 inch wide. Inserted the screen and secured with zip ties.
Again, this is a great FAQ and a definite read if you're going to build one.
It answered a lot of questions I had: http://www.algaescrubber.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=68
So far, I'm pretty happy. I removed my skimmer after my first algae harvest(maybe too soon - but see no ill effects) and The algae growth in my tank has drastically decreased in the last week and a half.
I hope this helps.
Let me know if you have any other questions .
Haha, well I guess she's going to deliver the kid whether you're there or not, so what the heck.
I used the snap on T's because I didn't want any water flow through the legs. I suppose I could have included the legs into the design of the water flow. However the additional pipe and bends might have restricted flow to a point.
Post up your build as you go. I'm curious to see how these things are working out for others. These don't seem to be very well treaded territory for most reefers. But I've heard great things from those who have.
I used the snap on T's because I didn't want any water flow through the legs. I suppose I could have included the legs into the design of the water flow. However the additional pipe and bends might have restricted flow to a point.
Post up your build as you go. I'm curious to see how these things are working out for others. These don't seem to be very well treaded territory for most reefers. But I've heard great things from those who have.
One week update
Day #24
Still getting great growth. I bet I would have had more, but after doing some maintenance in my cabinet last night, I forgot to plug the lights back in :sad:
A close up
The harvested algae. It's a bit more than last week. I need to start measuring the algae by volume in a measuring cup.
Congrats on the baby, by the way!
I got the bulbs and reflectors at Lowes. The bulbs are Sylvania 40w bulbs. I'm using four. I bought two lower wattage bulbs to also use, but have not yet bought reflectors for them. Although, things seem to be doing well without them.
I agree about the labor being easy. It's far less foul than cleaning a skimmer cup. And I've never been one to just dump the cup - I alway thoroughly clean that thing, so the ATS is much easier I feel.
Day #24
Still getting great growth. I bet I would have had more, but after doing some maintenance in my cabinet last night, I forgot to plug the lights back in :sad:
A close up
The harvested algae. It's a bit more than last week. I need to start measuring the algae by volume in a measuring cup.
Congrats on the baby, by the way!
I got the bulbs and reflectors at Lowes. The bulbs are Sylvania 40w bulbs. I'm using four. I bought two lower wattage bulbs to also use, but have not yet bought reflectors for them. Although, things seem to be doing well without them.
I agree about the labor being easy. It's far less foul than cleaning a skimmer cup. And I've never been one to just dump the cup - I alway thoroughly clean that thing, so the ATS is much easier I feel.
Thanks for the well wishes my man!
Cool I have a project for when I'm not helping out with lil Sebastian.
I wonder if a few led pads would be even better? Probably more$ but I've seen some cheapie for "growers" alright I'm gonna do some research this up coming week and if it's under 50$ a pad of leds I'm a do it.
I think with a rectangular pad the approx size of the screen it will yield good contact.
Probably can place it right in front, for really good contact.
I'm excited to try this.
Cool I have a project for when I'm not helping out with lil Sebastian.
I wonder if a few led pads would be even better? Probably more$ but I've seen some cheapie for "growers" alright I'm gonna do some research this up coming week and if it's under 50$ a pad of leds I'm a do it.
I think with a rectangular pad the approx size of the screen it will yield good contact.
Probably can place it right in front, for really good contact.
I'm excited to try this.
I finally got around to getting one of these started after having it in the back of my mind for months, should have done it long ago. The principal behind using one is pretty solid IMO. Don't know if I'd go shutting off other filtering equipment right away, but I hope to cut back on a lot of that stuff as this thing gets more established.
There is a very thorough thread on RC about these things under advanced topics.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=10
There is a very thorough thread on RC about these things under advanced topics.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=10
I believe it is more effective than a fuge; compared to my old system with chaeto, dsb, skimmer, gfo reactor (a 125 gal/sps dominant tank) I think my small ATS is almost as effective. Still have issues with hair algae. But, no $ for gfo, less electric, so it's "better" in that way. I do use a filter sock. Microsoft Office Pro Plus 2010Microsoft Office Ultimate 2007Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2007I can't really argue this is the best way since I'm doing it half a$$ed. I scrape the screen with a razor blade once a week. I'm kinda lazy but it's only a little more work than thoughly cleaning a skimmer cup.
Ok, Here it is at Day #32
I've got a dedicated fish tank knife that I've been using to scrape the screen. Here it is all cleaned off.
Here's the collected algae.
I can't say for sure, since I haven't measured the previous collections, but it appears to be the largest harvest yet. It measured in at 90 cubic centimeters. That's 3 oz by volume. I hope to see a continuous rise in the amount of growth.
Two things I need to fix on this thing:
1. there is less growth on the inside of the screens. Need to reposition the lamps to get better light in there.
2. make a light guard for where the screen meets the pipe. After a few days, the algae growth there ends up distorting the water flow. Which makes it not always even across the screen. It also causes some water to not flow against the screen and then makes noise as it splashes.
Still no mechanical filtration with exception to a filter sock and some carbon in a media bag. Everything is doing great.
I've got a dedicated fish tank knife that I've been using to scrape the screen. Here it is all cleaned off.
Here's the collected algae.
I can't say for sure, since I haven't measured the previous collections, but it appears to be the largest harvest yet. It measured in at 90 cubic centimeters. That's 3 oz by volume. I hope to see a continuous rise in the amount of growth.
Two things I need to fix on this thing:
1. there is less growth on the inside of the screens. Need to reposition the lamps to get better light in there.
2. make a light guard for where the screen meets the pipe. After a few days, the algae growth there ends up distorting the water flow. Which makes it not always even across the screen. It also causes some water to not flow against the screen and then makes noise as it splashes.
Still no mechanical filtration with exception to a filter sock and some carbon in a media bag. Everything is doing great.
So I'm bumping my old thread with an update.
The ATS that I have been running has worked out great for my 180 gallon. I have been skimmer free since setting it up. My Nitrates and Phosphates are always 0. It's been a copepod factory and my obese mandarins appreciate it. I harvest 2 to 2.5 cups of algae, every 7 to 10 days or so.
I have been wanting to upgrade my setup. My first build felt a bit "mickey mouse" to me. The actual tipping point was a recent accident. Algae clogged up the opening in the pipe and a small stream shot out sideways(out of the sump and onto the floor). I came home from work to find a good size puddle. :frusty:
So for the upgrade:
I went to S & W Plastics in San Bernardino and picked up some acrylic from their remnant pieces and bought some weld-on.
I made it so that it would sit on top of my sump. The pipe is below the top of the acrylic chamber, so that there won't be any problems from a possible side spray. Again I used a union joint for easy removal of the screen.
I set it up tonight, so it's day 1 for the new design, but the screens are moved over from the old ATS. The drain seems to be handling the water flow just fine. One thing I may experiment with is adding a pipe to the drain to raise the water level in the chamber. Some have done something like that. The algae suspends in the water, allowing light to to hit more of the algae and it can cause greater growth. They call them 3D scrubbers.
I slacked with updates after a while on my first version of the ATS, but I'll make an effort to update on the second version to share it's success or failure.
Let me know if you have comments or suggestions on this.
The ATS that I have been running has worked out great for my 180 gallon. I have been skimmer free since setting it up. My Nitrates and Phosphates are always 0. It's been a copepod factory and my obese mandarins appreciate it. I harvest 2 to 2.5 cups of algae, every 7 to 10 days or so.
I have been wanting to upgrade my setup. My first build felt a bit "mickey mouse" to me. The actual tipping point was a recent accident. Algae clogged up the opening in the pipe and a small stream shot out sideways(out of the sump and onto the floor). I came home from work to find a good size puddle. :frusty:
So for the upgrade:
I went to S & W Plastics in San Bernardino and picked up some acrylic from their remnant pieces and bought some weld-on.
I made it so that it would sit on top of my sump. The pipe is below the top of the acrylic chamber, so that there won't be any problems from a possible side spray. Again I used a union joint for easy removal of the screen.
I set it up tonight, so it's day 1 for the new design, but the screens are moved over from the old ATS. The drain seems to be handling the water flow just fine. One thing I may experiment with is adding a pipe to the drain to raise the water level in the chamber. Some have done something like that. The algae suspends in the water, allowing light to to hit more of the algae and it can cause greater growth. They call them 3D scrubbers.
I slacked with updates after a while on my first version of the ATS, but I'll make an effort to update on the second version to share it's success or failure.
Let me know if you have comments or suggestions on this.
Thanks! I'm expecting it to do at least as good as the previous design I'm able to get the lights closer to the screens with the new design, so I'm hoping it promotes more growth.
Here's a great resource on them: http://algaescrubber.net
Here's a great resource on them: http://algaescrubber.net
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