Hey guysfirst off how big of a pump\pvc will I need? How big of a screen will I need? I read measurements for 90g-300g but nothing for above that. I read though the thickness is not nearly as important as the length? Any pointers to which size I should use and where to buy? And on the part where the pvc ataches to the screen (where I silt that part of the pipe to make the screen fit) does it sort of in a way fit like a sock and allows the water to come out of its pours and trickle down the sides? Thanks guys.
building an algae scrubber for 730g
- Thread starter Zfishies
- Start date
you need about 1" square for ever gallon (to be safe but mite need less or more), the width of your screen is irrellivent, but smaller widths need less GPH flow rate, for example a 1" width requires a 35gph but a 20" wide screen requires 700 (these numbers I pulled off a thread about them, I have never tested these). But over all, the taller the screen the thinner you can make it, therefor less gph, but more lights will be needed to reach the whole thing.
Best way to light them IMO is to use compact flouresents, in a cone reflector lamp to maxamize efficiency, also place them as close as possible, like only a few inches away. The screen type most ppl use is a "plastic canvas" which is normally used for embroidery and is sold at craft stores and some fabric stores. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Plastic-canvas.jpg Also its a good idea to rough it up a bit with some sandpaper. Here is a link to a massive tread on them, has an almost unlimited number of design patterns. http://www.fishlore.com/fishforum/d...a-powerful-nitrate-phosphate-remover-diy.html
Quick list of required flow rates, also anything larger then 20" just add the the flow rates together like, for 40" you would need around 14000gph.
1" 35
2" 70
3" 105
4" 140
5" 175
6" 210
7" 245
8" 280
9" 315
10" 350
11" 385
12" 420
13" 455
14" 490
15" 525
16" 560
17" 595
18" 630
19" 665
20" 700
Best way to light them IMO is to use compact flouresents, in a cone reflector lamp to maxamize efficiency, also place them as close as possible, like only a few inches away. The screen type most ppl use is a "plastic canvas" which is normally used for embroidery and is sold at craft stores and some fabric stores. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Plastic-canvas.jpg Also its a good idea to rough it up a bit with some sandpaper. Here is a link to a massive tread on them, has an almost unlimited number of design patterns. http://www.fishlore.com/fishforum/d...a-powerful-nitrate-phosphate-remover-diy.html
Quick list of required flow rates, also anything larger then 20" just add the the flow rates together like, for 40" you would need around 14000gph.
1" 35
2" 70
3" 105
4" 140
5" 175
6" 210
7" 245
8" 280
9" 315
10" 350
11" 385
12" 420
13" 455
14" 490
15" 525
16" 560
17" 595
18" 630
19" 665
20" 700
am guessing (((red))) is a typo? am using that exact same build. so how many inches is it per gallon? whats the wxl????? from there i can do the gph. and so it fits like a sock right? thats all am worried about, is putting the screen on wrong. and then ill buy the lights last. i want to buy all the supplies today.
Wait so is there no sizes realy? should i do a 20" and make it 3ft tall? and use a 730gph pump for it? would that work? kindof a best judgement thing?
just did the math thats 58feet!!!! how can i DRASTICLY cut down on that length??? how much wider do i have to go?
You may have misplaced a decimle point, or missread, I ment for every gallon in the tank, you need 1" square of screening, so that like 730 square inches with 144 square inches in a square foot, so thats about 5' square, so to keep it simple like, 2' wide by 2.5' long, or 3' wide by 1.75' long. or even 1' wide and 5' long. As for pumps, the flow rate can be a bit higher and likely wont be a problem.
Not to send people away from this site...and we should probably just copy and sticky it...but there is a great set of instructions/rules on reefcentral about this.
this is what i want to do. have 2, 3ft long pvc pipes with 3ft long canvases attached to them(will update on the length REAL soon). one of the pumps will be on the left side of the pond and one will be on the left. the yellow dots are the flood lights i will use. they will be attached to the side of the tank. so what do you guys think? it will work? 2 more questions i promise. when you rough up the surface on the canvas to allow the algae to attach itself on it whats a good safe way? and when i attach the canvas in the pvc how far do i push it in the pvc? all the way right? then tie it up.