Algae scrubber as bio filter.

[markstrimaran]

The white drum, possibly source of ammonia.View attachment 1315874
Lights were over grown with algea reducing output.View attachment 1315876 Diffuser bar at 30% flow.View attachment 1315878
New bar full flow.View attachment 1315879
Green slime algae coated screen, except lower middle spot, lights not powerful enouph from scum build up. View attachment 1315875

One week of growth, the lights got a little blocked, towards the end of the week.
I brushed off the loose outer layer, to let the more fibrous turf algea build up.

 

[markstrimaran]

Still growing, nitrates are around 15ppm.
I have a load of fry in the scrubber also. They have been growing well.

The fluidized scrubber is still going.

 

[markstrimaran]

Nitrates at 20ppm, 2 weeks since last WC.

Turf algea is about 2" long with some finer strand algea about 6" long.
It been almost a full month without a harvest , just letting it grow.

 

[fishbum]

So many naysayers on the first page I did not read any further. Algae scrubbers are excellent at removing nitrates, phosphates, ammonia etc... A simple google search would have answered any of the doubters concerns.

 

[markstrimaran]

I almost forgot about this one, still going in my basement. I need to spend more time with it, but busy working 6 days a week.

 

[markstrimaran]

View attachment 1321236
I almost forgot about this one, still going in my basement. I need to spend more time with it, but busy working 6 days a week.

It's at 18 ppm nitrate.

 

[markstrimaran]

The ball have greened up nicely in the last 6 months, the 10 chips are still algea free.

 

[TexasMFK31]

View attachment 1328900
The ball have greened up nicely in the last 6 months, the 10 chips are still algea free.

Hey, this is awesome, what are the "balls" you are using? Have a TLR status of the scrubber as well? Going to look into putting one of these in my new build.

 

[markstrimaran]

Hey, this is awesome, what are the "balls" you are using? Have a TLR status of the scrubber as well? Going to look into putting one of these in my new build.

Not sure what a TLR ? Is

The balls are from Walmart, the 2.99 dozen plastic golf balls, 36 grit sanded, then 3/8" hole drilled on 3 axis, so they will vent air.
I sanded them with a screw on a drill shank, lathe style, before drilling the holes.

 

[TexasMFK31]

Not sure what a TLR ? Is

The balls are from Walmart, the 2.99 dozen plastic golf balls, 36 grit sanded, then 3/8" hole drilled on 3 axis, so they will vent air.
I sanded them with a screw on a drill shank, lathe style, before drilling the holes.

TLDR is Too Long Didn't Read. I skimmed some early bits but that was all. Overall the algae scrubber is working well in your tanks though? Thanks!