Algae scrubber as bio filter.

markstrimaran

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Nov 21, 2015
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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!
So far so good, I do most of my tinkering around during the winter. Their are a few technical details to read through that need to be well understood.
 
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markstrimaran

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Nov 21, 2015
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20180818_202657.jpg
I am trusting the seachem ammonia alert. Since none of the fish are acting like they being poisoned.
12 hours later it is back into yellow. Which I don't think has the capacity to burn up that much ammonia in 12 hours.

I found it is from dosing Alaskan mineral supplements. It has no ammonia, nitrogen, added.
They sell similar supplements with nitrogen added, and listed on the ingredient list.
So I am wondering if any of minerals might react with a API ammonia test.20180818_194207.jpg
 
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markstrimaran

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20180822_173007.jpg
Thermal crack in epoxy, from prolonged heat, moisture then penetrated the bottom aluminum heat sink, effectively separating the led, from the heat sink.
This allowed the led to run even hotter, causing the epoxy expand and crack to the soldered electrical terminal.
Which allowed galvanic electralisis gradually severed the electrical connection.
 

markstrimaran

Potamotrygon
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Nov 21, 2015
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I put in a back up mirror for the spot occupied by the old light.

The replacement is built and ready to go. But I had no issues with the tank going on 6 months, plus. So with out the other two lights ammonia has been creeping. On API TEST.

So I will see if the mirror and 20 watts will suffice.


Mean while, I have a pile of 620nm orange leds, and two CC 400 WATT power supplies. Time to tinker with some amphibious leds, for my other projects.20180827_053745.jpg
 

markstrimaran

Potamotrygon
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Nov 21, 2015
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Ammonia is back to zero, as of yesterday with 20 watts of leds and a reflector mirror, were the other 20 watts were.
 

markstrimaran

Potamotrygon
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Nov 21, 2015
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The algea in the upflow scrubber, eventually balls up on top for easy removal with out having to remove the screen, which is made with sand infused plastic. It holds the algea's roots much firmer that just a plastic canvas.
So harvesting does not effect the ability of the screen to filter out ammonia. 20180906_053852.jpg
Top view looking down.20180906_054233.jpg
Top view after harvesting.20180906_054321.jpg
Free salad, or reuse as pleco feed.
 

markstrimaran

Potamotrygon
MFK Member
Nov 21, 2015
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20180123_173507.jpg
The upflow scrubber is behind a divider siliconed in, surrounded with mirrors. A small hole in the front corner is the suction intake, a 500 gph submersible pump is inside the chamber. Any loose algea bits get pumped out and into a small overhead sump with a large filter sock.20180217_094822.jpg
The two PVC pipes are on a closed loop into a 55 gallon drum in the basement. That is set up for doing 7 minute water changes.
 

markstrimaran

Potamotrygon
MFK Member
Nov 21, 2015
2,331
1,093
164
51
iowa
I put in a back up mirror for the spot occupied by the old light.

The replacement is built and ready to go. But I had no issues with the tank going on 6 months, plus. So with out the other two lights ammonia has been creeping. On API TEST.

So I will see if the mirror and 20 watts will suffice.


Mean while, I have a pile of 620nm orange leds, and two CC 400 WATT power supplies. Time to tinker with some amphibious leds, for my other projects.View attachment 1332333
Did a extra heavy feeding an
I put in a back up mirror for the spot occupied by the old light.

The replacement is built and ready to go. But I had no issues with the tank going on 6 months, plus. So with out the other two lights ammonia has been creeping. On API TEST.

So I will see if the mirror and 20 watts will suffice.


Mean while, I have a pile of 620nm orange leds, and two CC 400 WATT power supplies. Time to tinker with some amphibious leds, for my other projects.View attachment 1332333
I added a replacement light as ammonia was creeping after heavy feeding.20180910_173210.jpg
Skipper fly larvae, in old algea scrubber culture.

I also has a brood of fry hatch out, under the scrubbers water conditions. From a group of grow outs.
 
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