Would this work? passive algae scrubber

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marine

Aquarium Advice Newbie
Joined
May 14, 2016
Messages
7
Problem:
1) Going air pump/filter-less on my opae ula tank since I read they don't like current

2) Need biological filter for bacteria to convert ammonia etc...

3) Need area to grow algae (as feed for opae ula), preferably not on tank walls since it's so unsightly.

Solution:
Float/attach large filter sponge flat on the surface, below the LED lights. With the strong light, algae will grow rapidly on the sponge. Less light below so no algae. Increased area for bacteria to colonise. No currents/pumps required.

Reckon this crazy idea would work? :confused:
 
Algae should grow on the sponge, however, the lack of water movement is more of a concern both for the algae scrubber and the biological filter.
What size is the tank?
There are filters with directional output that can be pointed towards a corner or other areas for reduced distrust ion.


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5g tank. was planning for a low tech tank so no pump/filter, so fair point on efficiency given no water movement. was hoping nitrates would simply diffuse upwards as they are consumed by the algae. same for ammonia/nitrites. maybe they are denser and would sink. will test it out once my LEDs arrive, hopefully soon.
 
5g tank. was planning for a low tech tank so no pump/filter, so fair point on efficiency given no water movement. was hoping nitrates would simply diffuse upwards as they are consumed by the algae. same for ammonia/nitrites. maybe they are denser and would sink. will test it out once my LEDs arrive, hopefully soon.


I'd do DIY UGF powered by air pump, should degrade larger particles, as they tend to sink. and for the algae, I'd consider building something out of 2l bottle filled with spongy media, cycled by air pump and strong light.

My Java moss experiment, started with 24h of light.

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You can see what just air and 24h light can do after 7 days to algae


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