Does anyone use algea scrubbers?

[markstrimaran]

Here is mine.
Custom built into the tank, and is upstream of a filter sock, making it maintenance free.

It is a single sided upflow, illuminated with 15 Leds. In the 660nm spectrum at 3 watts.

It uses a special screen that is pourus and slick which releses the algea, as it grows , allowing a pump to chop it up and move it into the filter sock.

 

[Woefulrelic]

I'm waiting for you to finish your experiments so I know how to build an effective one.

I would be surprised if algae grew at the same rate under higher flow, or if the same kinds of algae grew. Not that it is unlikely just that there are so many kinds of algae I'd be surprised if they aren't out competing each other under specific pretenses.

 

[markstrimaran]

Most every thing I have read pertains to salt water, I am discovering, things contradictory to general scrubber information.

Like how many watts per square inch is best.

What is the best time cycle.

PH levels.

How to clean a scrubber.

High water flow plus air vs a static water flow.

What is the optimal screen material.

 

[elting44]

What are your findings on Nitrate reduction, all of my research has come up with the same as what you are finding, tons of info on SW setups but not a lot of concrete info on FW. I eventually want to build a UAS to put in the 55g sump of my 135g?

Some people say it will take Nitrate down to effectively 0 ppm, while others say it just halves their typical nitrate build up rate.

 

[markstrimaran]

I have used them for a couple of years, with a recommended salt water data, and had nitrates gradually increasing. With 40% weekly wc.

I am currently. holding nitrates at zero accumulation.

 

[markstrimaran]

Bump.

 

[Fat Homer]

Looks like a great idea for a planted tank to possibly help control algae and access nutrients...

 

[markstrimaran]

The HOB, with moss seeded, plastic canvas, growing under 2700k 18 watt cfl.

Very slow growing vs algea.

 

[elting44]

Do you think you are showing 0 nitrates because the algae is using the nitrates up, or because the algae is using up the ammonia before the BB has a chance to nitrify.

My concern would be, that if the latter is the case, it could be "starving" the BB and if the algae scrubber crashes, the BB wouldnt be able to handle the bioload and the tank would recycle.

 

[markstrimaran]

I have no BB, to starve. The algea is removing all the ammonia faster than the fish can produce it.

The scrubber is, self cleaning so, it can't be crashed, from over harvesting.

The scrubber can go at least 3 days in the dark, with out oxygen.

The scrubber has enouph mass and organics to survive a full 2ppm chlorininated tap water flush. Which would kill fish.

You can freeze it solid, and cook it at 102F. Dehydrate it even.

Some thing, is it will remove all the oxygen in a day or so if photosynthesis is not happening. It is in isolation, if the power goes out, the scrubber chamber becomes, stagnant and separate from the live stock.

The ph will be held at 8.00. With 24x7 lights on, it is constant.

I think it would be easier to kill off all the BB, than algea.