Mega-Powerful Nitrate and Phosphate Remover Replaces Skimmer, Refugium, part 1-4
- Thread starter SantaMonica
- Start date
Hey what's going on I've been reading your threads for a while now, seems very interesting, I purchased a book about algae scrubbers by walter adey not too long ago, then stumbled upon your threads. I have a problem, and I would very much appreciate your help. If you would check out my most recent video on my profile, and at the end it shows my refugium/sump design, and then help me decide on the best way to incorporate your scrubber to my system, as you will be able to tell i have a bio load problem. Thankyou, I look forward to your response, baldwinaquaman.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggv6iGRFhDI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggv6iGRFhDI
Very nice setup. Wouldn't know it had nutrient problems by looking at it. Must be new, or you just cleaned it. Your setup will be easy since your fuge is big and out in the open. Simply a matter of standing a screen up in your sump like this:
The lights on the last pic of course are actually aimed at the screen; they were just turned here so as to not blind the camera. Using 200g as your volume, your screen needs to be 200 square inches lit both sides (with at LEAST a 23W CFL floodlight full spectrum on each side, preferable TWO on each side), turned on for 18 hours, off for 6. )If you can't leave it on 18 hours, then make the screen bigger and and/or add more light.)
I'd make the screen 20" wide by 10" tall. Flow will be 20 X 35 = 700 gph. Critical for this screen will be enough light on both sides, so having two bulbs on each side is almost a requirement. I'd do it.
The lights on the last pic of course are actually aimed at the screen; they were just turned here so as to not blind the camera. Using 200g as your volume, your screen needs to be 200 square inches lit both sides (with at LEAST a 23W CFL floodlight full spectrum on each side, preferable TWO on each side), turned on for 18 hours, off for 6. )If you can't leave it on 18 hours, then make the screen bigger and and/or add more light.)
I'd make the screen 20" wide by 10" tall. Flow will be 20 X 35 = 700 gph. Critical for this screen will be enough light on both sides, so having two bulbs on each side is almost a requirement. I'd do it.
a 700 gph pump would be quite expensive, I wonder if their is anyway to incorporate the overflows to the second sump, which I still do not think is 700 gph, but a little bit of help is better than none. My question is would their be anyway to incorporate the screen without having to buy another pump, and wave timer. Also, I plan on using a piece of eggcrate with fiberglass screen on both sides, will this work? thanks.
The Hydor L40 is only about $70 new, and cheap used, and has a built-in flow adjust. And you don't need a timer. Is much easier that trying to route the overflow. You can go with less flow if you make the screen less wide: 10" wide by 20" tall would only need 350 gph, but would be the same square inches.
I would not use window screen... I heard they have mildew repellents. Here is some screen info:
Try going to hardware stores, craft stores, garden stores, sewing stores, or just get one of these online:
This "plastic canvas" one might be easier to get into the slot after cleaning, and the edges will not wear; it also will hold it's shape so that a solid frame may not be needed:
http://www.everythingplasticcanvas.com/pc-20049-260-plastic-canvas-7-mesh-12-x-18.aspx
This "rug canvas" is made from fiber so that algae sticks to it the best; but it does not hold its shape when wet, so it will need a solid frame. Also, the edges will wear, so the frame will have to hold the edges down:
http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog.jsp?CATID=cat2099&PRODID=prd12195
This "tank divider" is mentioned here because you can get it in any LFS, and because they come with clip-on edges that are great frames for any screen. However the screen material itself is very thin and smooth (needs sanding) with not many holes, thus during cleaning it's hard to get algae to stay on the screen:
http://www.aquaticeco.com/subcategories/2/Tank-Dividers/tank divider/0
Overall the rug canvas will grow the most algae the quickest, but takes the most work to keep it in place. The tank divider is the easiest and most available, but you'll get a few days of no filtering after cleanings. I think the plastic canvas is best for most people; it holds algae on the screen after cleanings, and it holds it's shape when wet and when cleaning in the sink.
Many people ask about using the fiberglass screen from their windows (never use metal!). The main problem of this kind of "soft" screen will be getting it into the slot in the waterfall pipe; it will bend and fold too much. One way around this is to loop it around the waterfall pipe and attach it to itself, instead of slipping it into a slot. In this case you don't need a slot; a series of holes will work. But this screen door method is only a last resort though, and will not work that well long-term, because the algae will start blocking flow out of the pipe since it's wrapped around it (it will need to always be trimmed.) But I've also heard that window screen has mildew repellents, so be careful.
Some people try to use acrylic or plastic sheet. They will grow, but the problem is that when you clean it, everything comes off and you have to start growing from scratch again. This means you get three or four days of zero filtering. You can try drilling hundreds of small holes in the sheet, but it's easier to just find a screen.
I would not use window screen... I heard they have mildew repellents. Here is some screen info:
Try going to hardware stores, craft stores, garden stores, sewing stores, or just get one of these online:
This "plastic canvas" one might be easier to get into the slot after cleaning, and the edges will not wear; it also will hold it's shape so that a solid frame may not be needed:
http://www.everythingplasticcanvas.com/pc-20049-260-plastic-canvas-7-mesh-12-x-18.aspx
This "rug canvas" is made from fiber so that algae sticks to it the best; but it does not hold its shape when wet, so it will need a solid frame. Also, the edges will wear, so the frame will have to hold the edges down:
http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog.jsp?CATID=cat2099&PRODID=prd12195
This "tank divider" is mentioned here because you can get it in any LFS, and because they come with clip-on edges that are great frames for any screen. However the screen material itself is very thin and smooth (needs sanding) with not many holes, thus during cleaning it's hard to get algae to stay on the screen:
http://www.aquaticeco.com/subcategories/2/Tank-Dividers/tank divider/0
Overall the rug canvas will grow the most algae the quickest, but takes the most work to keep it in place. The tank divider is the easiest and most available, but you'll get a few days of no filtering after cleanings. I think the plastic canvas is best for most people; it holds algae on the screen after cleanings, and it holds it's shape when wet and when cleaning in the sink.
Many people ask about using the fiberglass screen from their windows (never use metal!). The main problem of this kind of "soft" screen will be getting it into the slot in the waterfall pipe; it will bend and fold too much. One way around this is to loop it around the waterfall pipe and attach it to itself, instead of slipping it into a slot. In this case you don't need a slot; a series of holes will work. But this screen door method is only a last resort though, and will not work that well long-term, because the algae will start blocking flow out of the pipe since it's wrapped around it (it will need to always be trimmed.) But I've also heard that window screen has mildew repellents, so be careful.
Some people try to use acrylic or plastic sheet. They will grow, but the problem is that when you clean it, everything comes off and you have to start growing from scratch again. This means you get three or four days of zero filtering. You can try drilling hundreds of small holes in the sheet, but it's easier to just find a screen.
Result Of The Day:
"garypower" on the UR site: "i was on one of the first couple of pages on this thread and decided like others to give it a go! my screen is now 2 months on, and its there as predicted, full of algea turf deep red brown colour and having to start using a blade to make space! my tank parems have gone to non-detectable po4 and zero nitrates! the tank in appearance looks like polished water yet i dont run carbon! my skimmer is now only running one hour every four hours with my ozone unit on a timer, i have a much better growth rate with my corals, there is less build up of algea on the glass i only use a magfloat once a week to clear very faint dusting of algea."
"garypower" on the UR site: "i was on one of the first couple of pages on this thread and decided like others to give it a go! my screen is now 2 months on, and its there as predicted, full of algea turf deep red brown colour and having to start using a blade to make space! my tank parems have gone to non-detectable po4 and zero nitrates! the tank in appearance looks like polished water yet i dont run carbon! my skimmer is now only running one hour every four hours with my ozone unit on a timer, i have a much better growth rate with my corals, there is less build up of algea on the glass i only use a magfloat once a week to clear very faint dusting of algea."
Anyone know anyone who could build some acrylic scrubbers? People have been asking me to build them, but I don't want to.
I might be interested.... I have a CNC router I've routed acrylic with before. Details?
Details depend on who/where the person is whose asking. I could put them in contact with you, when they ask.
Here's an idea: How about a directory of scrubber builders, with the following info on each builder:
Location:
City
State
Country
Material that the builder knows how to use:
PVC
Plastic
Acrylic
Glass
Components that the builder knows how to build:
Pipe
Screen
Frame for floppy screens
Bucket for screen
Box for screen
Sumps/Fuges with Scrubbers
HOB Scrubbers
HOT Scrubbers
LED Scrubbers
Misc:
Turn-around-time
Price range
Experience (number of scrubbers built)
Guarantees (if any)
Customer help after the sale
References
Misc items available (pump, timer, fan, unions, clips, etc)
Example drawings available?
How large/small can builder handle?
One problem with posting a directory is that it will need constant updating and re-posting. Would there be a better way to do it than posting in a thread? I could host it on my site where I put all the pics, or I could put it on the algae scrubber site. But ideal would be being able to post it here, and be able to edit it here.
Location:
City
State
Country
Material that the builder knows how to use:
PVC
Plastic
Acrylic
Glass
Components that the builder knows how to build:
Pipe
Screen
Frame for floppy screens
Bucket for screen
Box for screen
Sumps/Fuges with Scrubbers
HOB Scrubbers
HOT Scrubbers
LED Scrubbers
Misc:
Turn-around-time
Price range
Experience (number of scrubbers built)
Guarantees (if any)
Customer help after the sale
References
Misc items available (pump, timer, fan, unions, clips, etc)
Example drawings available?
How large/small can builder handle?
One problem with posting a directory is that it will need constant updating and re-posting. Would there be a better way to do it than posting in a thread? I could host it on my site where I put all the pics, or I could put it on the algae scrubber site. But ideal would be being able to post it here, and be able to edit it here.
