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Post by ian on Oct 2, 2011 17:02:05 GMT
Hi all. Starting a new project next week. I am going to make myself a in sump algae scrubber. I have been doing some digging and they seem to do a great job at keeping down nitrates and phos. Will let you all now how i get on. Cheers Ian.
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Post by steve on Oct 2, 2011 18:05:08 GMT
sounds good
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Post by SYRG WYATT666 on Oct 2, 2011 20:16:46 GMT
is that one of those that pass water past high output light onto a screen which is cleaned every week or so?
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Post by ian on Oct 6, 2011 11:14:40 GMT
Ha Jonny, Thats the one , I have may perpex now so let construction start. Will try to put some pics on when i get going. Cheers Ian.
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Post by SYRG WYATT666 on Oct 6, 2011 13:36:32 GMT
if it comes off might be an idea for me to build a small one
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Post by ian on Oct 13, 2011 19:27:27 GMT
Hi Jonny. Will let you now how it gets on, Cheers Ian.
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Post by ian on Dec 24, 2011 15:08:59 GMT
Here is an update on alge scrubber I have decided to biuld a horizontal scrubber instead of the more popular vertical type to see how it works. First i purchest a piece of percpex of ebay then cut it into four lenghts. The bottom is a 6" strip with two 3" strips for the sides + one small strip cut to lenght for the end plate. I then stuck them together into a tough like shape with the base plate on a slit angle which would allow the water to run down. Then for the water supply side i used a piece of 3/4" clear tubing which i drilled 6x 4mm holes in it along its lenght to allow the water to be spread across the full width off the base plate. I then drilled a larger hole in the top off the tube to allow me to fix the 90 elbow which the pump hose would be connected to,i am using a 400lt per hour pump. ProblemI couldnt think of what to use on the base plate to allow the alge to stick to while it was growing. This was sorted when the childs got their lego out to play with. On looking at the lego base plates i found that two of them where just the right lenght and width,so with a quick slit of hand they where donated to aquarium science. ( Just the job ) The scrubber has been running for about two weeks now and the alge has started to grow. The light i decided to use is a 24 watt 9000k tropical plant t5 bulb made by jbl solar ultra natur. Cheers Ian , ( will put some more pics on as scrubber beds in.)
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Post by ian on Jan 18, 2012 21:15:36 GMT
Hi All, Here is an update on how things are going As you can see the alge has realy got going now and the best bit is my nitrates are now at 0 as is my phosphate. I dont now weather this is completely down to the scrubber but somethings working as my corals look better . This picture is with the water turned off. Something else i have noticed since the alge has realy got going is my water seems to be alot clearer. I will keep you informed if anything changes. Cheers Ian.
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Post by SYRG WYATT666 on Jan 18, 2012 21:57:31 GMT
If you ever need the boards cleaning my sea hare will happily help LOL
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Post by steve on Jan 19, 2012 20:17:58 GMT
really is working well
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Post by yorkshirekat on Jan 28, 2012 13:19:43 GMT
Cool idea! So from the pictures is that just a weeks worth of algae? do you have to clean it every so often? My other half is good at DIY stuff... might be an idea to show him your pics!!! ;D
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Post by ian on Jan 29, 2012 13:33:04 GMT
Hi, It was just over a week when i first cleaned the scrubber down, but now it has realy got going i have to do it every week . The only thing i have noticed is the t5 bulb i am using can get covered in salt scread, when this happens the alge can turn into more slim than alge this is possibly because the salt changes the light spectrum, so i need to keep this nice and clean. Cheers Ian. ( let us now if you have a go,and what happens )
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Post by SYRG WYATT666 on Jan 29, 2012 21:08:46 GMT
try instead using a screen like what they use on screen doors etc might work to keep the spray down thus reducing the salt
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Post by ian on Jan 31, 2012 20:49:33 GMT
Good idea Jonny will have a look at that. Cheers Ian.
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