Ok, perhaps It's a refugium in this version. I didn't want to buy another air pump plus I wanted something growing now as nutrient sink. It might take couple weeks to grow algae in a true AS.
My DIY "algae scrubber" prototype attempt
- Thread starter FishFanMan
- Start date
The idea of an algae scrubber is to create a place that is very well suited to the growth of algae that has contact with your water column. As a result, your algae grows mostly in a location of *your* choice as opposed to *its* choice. The better designed ones can even be used as a factory of sorts, growing algae, then you remove the grid the algae is growing on, and drop it in your tank for your algae grazers, repeat as necessary. It's an interesting concept, but I have no idea if it actually works. The logic seems sound, though, if not fool proof.
FFM is trying to create a variant, which may have a similar impact, but only if he stocks it with faster growing plans than a crypt.
FFM, have you looked at the threads by that SantaMonica user about designs for an algae scrubber? Here's the link to a thread, in case you (or anyone else who's interested) hasn't. http://www.aquariacentral.com/forum...minate-green-hair-bubble-turf-and-slime-algae
I question the effectiveness of a true algae scrubber on a planted tank though...depending on the dosing strategy, planted tanks are usually not such a nutrient limited environment. Compare that to a SW tank where people go to great lengths to limit N/P and the concept of an algae scrubber or refugium makes a lot more sense from a practical standpoint. With plants you risk going too far and stunting growth.
Not saying a single Crypt or even some quicker growing plants are going to reach that extreme, since given the limited turnover time it would be about the same as adding the plant to the main tank, but from an applied aspect it doesn't seem as beneficial on a FW planted tank.
Not saying a single Crypt or even some quicker growing plants are going to reach that extreme, since given the limited turnover time it would be about the same as adding the plant to the main tank, but from an applied aspect it doesn't seem as beneficial on a FW planted tank.
I believe 'gunner' did something similar..tho I believe he called it a 'nutrient scrubber' I believe he also used a common house plant (pothos)
Valid points, especially with the nutrients in a FW planted tank. I'm far from an expert on anything plant related, other than being able to grow BBA on my mosses, so I'm definitely not saying anything that's definitely pro or con algae scrubber. I just plain don't know enough. Although, for a slightly different scenario, would you think something like this would work for an unplanted freshwater tank? I mean, the "separate" (since the extra lighting and "racks" for the algae are kept in the scrubber area) area for growing algae may be more beneficial there, since you're not trying to grow plants anyway, so there's no risk for stunting the growth of your plants.
It's been just a week but I do see fuzzy algae starting to grow on the crypt in my box. But I can't say yet if algae has stopped growing in my display tank. But what I have observed is that my TDS/conductivity has stopped climbing. This is most interesting to me because I have been using that to do WCs. Before this box, TDS would increase steadily day by day and after 2 weeks it hits my high mark and I'd do a WC. But now, it's steady! Maybe I can go for a monthly WC! I just checked my params and they are 0/0/0 according to my API master tester. Nitrate might be slightly positive but certainly not at the next color indicator. But I'm not claiming my box has any impact to the 3 params, because my tank is always like this. What I am claiming at this point is that my TDS/conductivity is holding steady due to nutrient uptake of the crypt/moss in the "scrubber".
Not sure what kind of algae this is but it's really starting to grow now! Not sure if the crypt is thriving though. I may use this algae and seed a roughed up plastic thingy that's used in a real scrubber and toss the crypt in the future.
Found and bought some java moss today. I stuck that in the box too to increase nutrient sink capacity. Today I can claim that my brown algae is under control. Stuff that was on my plant leaves are clearing and I don't notice it growing on my fake corals. And for sure less growing on my glass walls. It seems to be working!
The only downside is increased tank temp. Room temp is 76 but with the both this and UV light, the tank is 80 to 81. Used to be 79 to 80. Should be ok now that winter setting is 74 room temp.
The only downside is increased tank temp. Room temp is 76 but with the both this and UV light, the tank is 80 to 81. Used to be 79 to 80. Should be ok now that winter setting is 74 room temp.
I don't see why you don't put that crypt in your tank. It was huge and beautiful. Save it! You've got algae and moss growing in there now
