Algae scrubber help

[Jimbo C]

I am going to experiment with a scrubber but to get the flow to it I am going to use my drain from display. Do you guys have any opinions on this? I have a mag drive 18 with 7 feet of head.

 

[Hondatek]

That is how both mine are powered . If you have any specific questions let me know .

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[Jimbo C]

What type of light are you using & did you have to seed the plastic screen before first use?

 

[Hondatek]

Just some clamp lamps and 2700 k swirly compact fluorescent. No seeding but it does take about a month for the scrubber to establish itself .

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[Jimbo C]

Opinion on feeding it from phosban reactor?

 

[Hondatek]

I wouldn't try it for two reasons .1 I doubt you will get the flow you need after the reactor. 2. You want to send the full nutrient rich water to the scrubber . If you remove nutrients before it might not have enough left to grow properly thereby making it less effective .

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[Jimbo C]

Sounds like sound advice, I'll try my drain but I'm worried that I'll no longer have a sock on my setup.

 

[Hondatek]

How many drains do you have ? If you only have one just T it off. This way if the slot ever gets clogged it will still drain . It also will allow you to install a ball valve before the slot so you can adjust the flow. Also don't forget to install a plumbing union before the slot pipe so you can remove it easily for cleaning . If it makes you feel better both of my systems don't use filter socks .

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[Jimbo C]

I have one drain y'd into refugium and skimmer section. I was going to use the drain that spills into the refuge.

 

[Hondatek]

Sounds like a plan to me . Just make sure you can get the lights 5 inches from the screen . That is one of the harder parts of fitting one into an existing setup.

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[Jimbo C]

Ok, thanx for all the good info

 

[Jimbo C]

So I just got scrubber operational & looks like it has good flow. Hope to see less green in tank and more in screen?

 

[Jimbo C]

 

[Jimbo C]

Do you guys think I have enough light?

 

[Fishdreamz]

I tried it and things went well. But over time it got to be quite messy and the water was no longer as clear. I went back to a skimmer. I did have water flow problems but my friend did not. Her tank also started looking dingy and she has returned back to a skimmer.

 

[Hondatek]

The lights need to be pointing directly at the screen not from above . It will not grow right like that . Also while lighting from one side will work two sides will be much more efficient . Fishdreamz it sounds like the screen wasn't maintained properly . If you slack off on the cleanings it has the potential to make the water a bit hazy. Quick fix is to just clean the screen a day earlier .

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[Jimbo C]

Ok, I'll probably just get a flood light for the other side. Any recommendation for bulb type?

 

[Hondatek]

I have only used CFL bulbs. They always worked so I really never experimented with anything else .

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[Jimbo C]

Ok, thanx for input

 

[Flaxon-Waxon]

Can you set up a scrubber in a sump that has a separately fed pump? I'm considering setting one up in the second chamber of the sump I'm building...