New Algae Turf Scrubber

[ieGlenn_2316]

I have recently set up my new algae turf scrubber. i enjoyed making it. i made it out of an old wet/dry filter. it's super narrow so it worked out well. i took apart a 48" current pc light which had 4 24" cfl bulbs. i put the bulb holders directly onto the outside of the acrylic. the ATS has all 4 24" 10k bulbs on it 24h a day. the screen of the ATS is approx. 22" by 20" with a mag 9.5 feeding it. the pump is about 2/3 open with about 4-5ft of head pressure.

my questions are: is 10k too high in the light spectrum to grow the desired algae? they seem pretty old and may be not a full 10k...
What should the photo period be (time lit) on the ATS? I will post pictures later when i have them available. any input from you expert reefers would be much appreciated. Thanks alot.

WP

 

[Drew Shark]

Check out this website. http://algaescrubber.net/forums/index.php

-10K is way to high, you want something from 2,700K-5,000K

-18 hours on, 6 off

 

[ieGlenn_2316]

i've read alot on that site. it seems "santa monica" knows whats up. i only had 10k on hand so thats what i used...

 

[Drew Shark]

i've read alot on that site. it seems "santa monica" knows whats up. i only had 10k on hand so thats what i used...

You can always try it out, but the best growth seen has been using bulbs with the color temperatures I recommended.

 

[Proraptor]

What exactly is an algae turf scrubber?

 

[Drew Shark]

What exactly is an algae turf scrubber?

It is a screen where algae is grown to remove nutrients and pollutants from the water, similar to cheato.

 

[ieGlenn_2316]

I've read a few things about scrubbers. like they're like turbo chaeto and once the scrubber is established you can take your skimmer ofline. and they dont strip the water of beneficial stuff for the corals to eat. just what i've read and heard, i dunno how true it is but i am experimenting with mine.....:madgrin:

 

[Puffalicious]

hmmm i'm thinking of doing this now... everything sounds so simple, did you run into any trouble with making yours?

 

[ieGlenn_2316]

i'll put pics of mine up when i get home this eve. i enjoyed making it and i hope it works like i've read. more natural filtration is better.....i think

 

[Puffalicious]

i'll put pics of mine up when i get home this eve. i enjoyed making it and i hope it works like i've read. more natural filtration is better.....i think

yea then eventually take off your skimmer lol

 

[ieGlenn_2316]

do they even make 24" 6k cfl square pin bulbs?

 

[xraymatt]

After seeing your set up last night, Glenn, I've become motivated to construct one too. I was just reading some info from that link above and learned some interesting stuff. There's always something new in this hobby!

 

[ieGlenn_2316]

post some pics of your build/progression!! i wanna learn too..

 

[danagui]

Interesting....I'm gonna give it a go....

 

[RexBrown]

I have had my ATS going for two months now. I'm really happy with it so far. I was amazed at how much algae I had growing so soon. I had a lingering cyano problem that I could not kick. After a few weeks with the ATS, my cyano was gone and so was all nuisance algae. My pod popupation also exploded. The only other mechanical filtration that I use is a filter sock for a day or two a week. I've pulled out my skimmer and my phosphate reactor.

My build can be seen here: http://www.socalireefs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18348

I'm looking forward to seeing your build.

 

[ieGlenn_2316]

hi derek. your build influenced mine alot. i noticed today that my ats is getting a slight tinge of green/brown. i bought a timer for the light. i set it to be on for 14 hours. i hope to get growth but i am worried that my (4) 65watt 10k bulbs will not be the correct spectrum to grow the desired algae...

 

[RexBrown]

Hey Glenn, how is the scrubber working out for you? Good growth? any pics?

 

[ieGlenn_2316]

Update 8-16 !!

Hey Glenn, how is the scrubber working out for you? Good growth? any pics?

ask and you shall receive! i used a small wet/dry filter for the main structure of the algae turf scrubber. i scored a 48" pc light from another reefer on this forum. i took the pc light apart and attached the bulbs directly to the wet/dry with the little clips from the pc fixture. i then covered it with tin foil to try and reflect as much light into it as possible.. i used a cross stitch screen from Joann's fabrics. i attached a coarse wire wheel to a drill and attacked the screen to roughen it up it seemed to work well...i tried to seed it with some coarse hair algae but it didn't really seem to do much.its taken a little while for it to start producing a measurable amount of algae. after about a week of initial start up i rinsed the screen. it seemed to be full of ditritus. after that rinse i left it alone to accomplish what you see here in the pics. i've included some pics of the system with equipment and my display tank. let me know what you would alter and give me ideas for makin it better. disregard my electrical mess. i'm just blessed to be able to plumb into my garage. hopefully some folks that have seen my system in realsies and chime in...
thanks
-Glenn mfP

 

[ieGlenn_2316]

more pics

 

[ieGlenn_2316]

pics of my skimmer with about 4hrs of skimmate. this monster fills up every day with super dark stinky soup. i think its a bit on the wet side but its nice to see this thing pullin like it does. three pumps: mag 9.5, rio 2100 and a stock coralife needle wheel pump. this thing is close to the size of a 5 gallon bucket! its an aqua euro usa. i got it from a fellow reefer here too. i love SCR!