Algae scrubber version Xiggie

[xiggie]

Hi everyone ,

I have received many pm about the scrubber I've been using , how to build them , what kinda LEDs, do I build and sell them and many more request ..

[Guest]

I'm waiting

This is a signature : hi

[xiggie]

Let's start with the equipments.

Air pump

Clear acrylic sheet

Air tube

Aluminum reflector

Led lights DIY

2 daiso box

Algae screen rough

PVC pipes and angle joints

Cable ties

[Kelvin Ang]

Im Camping here

[xiggie]

Led Light box .

Place the reflector into the box and bolt down together with the led light and driver. Secure the driver with cable ties and connect the driver to a wire and plug. Last secure the clear arcylic with cable ties to prevent water splash.

[xiggie]

The algae box

U need a algae screen (can buy from Artfriend those people use for knitting)

Cut out the screen to size and roughen it with a stake knife then glue to the bottom of the box , u can add more strips of the screen to maximize algae growth area.

Turn over the box and drill a hole in the centre and cable tie an air tube for the air bubble.

[xiggie]

Next .... How do u get it to float?? ALA santamonica surf scrubber?

Mine don't float ..haha

[xiggie]

Next , cable tie the frames to the box , the light box and the algae box.

[xiggie]

Once u get the height correct , u can glue the pipes together or maybe not ,it doesn't matter. But do not glue the top light part to the bottom part.

[xiggie]

When all is ready put them in the sump, lights on for 18-20hrs a day. U will get slime algae at first , clean them up ,the lush green algae will follow after that. Most important is the led must be a 3watts 660nm red led . Harvest the scrubber when u get lots of algae u may throw away all or leave some in the box.

To harvest just lift up the top light box and remove the algae. U will get salt deposit on the acrylic light cover , clean it if it gets too thick and blocking the lights. The acrylic will get dull white after sometime , just buy a new one and replace.

[lcf425]

Let's start with the equipments.

Air pump

Clear acrylic sheet

Air tube

Aluminum reflector

Led lights DIY

2 daiso box

Algae screen rough

PVC pipes and angle joints

Cable ties

Bro may i know where you get the aluminium reflector and whats the size of the diaso box? Possible to see the grow of your uas? Thanks!

[xiggie]

The box doesn't have to be the daiso box , any identical box can be used , best if custom to your sump compartment size. The one I'm using is 9 by 6 inch I think. The reflector I used was a spare which I kept for like 10years in the storeroom haha

[lcf425]

just gauging the size of box so i will know how many lightset i will need to buy any havest to show? Thanks for sharing the beautiful information !

[xiggie]

This is a picture of 5 days worth of algae growth, just took a picture a minute ago to show. Lots of pods and other micro organism !!

[xiggie]

As for the reflector , i built one without the reflector and it worked just the same , plus point is the reflector acts as a heat dissipator or heat sink , the led light I'm using came with the aluminium board which is already a heatsink so I guess that's why the box did not melt. Below picture shows one with and without the reflector .

[Guest]

As for the reflector , i built one without the reflector and it worked just the same , plus point is the reflector acts as a heat dissipator or heat sink , the led light I'm using came with the aluminium board which is already a heatsink so I guess that's why the box did not melt.

I'm so going try this algae scrubber...... most likely with aluminium foil ;/.

Hey does par 38 red led work as good as the led here?

Thanks !

[xiggie]

I'm so going try this algae scrubber...... most likely with aluminium foil ;/.

Hey does par 38 red led work as good as the led here?

Thanks !

Yes those par38 red led works , but the best is still a 660nm led . If u use other par or other red LEDs and your scrubber is only growing slimy black and dark green algae then most likely the light is not strong enough , u can try moving the light closer to the screen.

[lcf425]

Bro hows the noise level like ?

[xiggie]

Noise level depends on the airpump you use, the humming sound of the pump and the air bubble sound which will be lesser or less audible when the algae grow more dense , but bear in mind that the more bubble for the scrubber the better. It improves the air intake and the overall water flow through the scrubber.

I have mine In The cabinet so can't really hear the sound. The loudest equipment now is the chiller.

And I have my CR affluent drip before the scrubber so the excess co2 rich effluent will be used up by the algae and it help moderate the ph level of the tank water. If you are a CR user, you will know the problem with ph from the effluent

[SubzeroLT]

Thanks for sharing. Feel like building one too.

[Guest]

You think co2 diffuser connect with air pump will help the algae grow faster? My ats growing slow cause pump flow connect from biopellet reactor

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[xiggie]

You think co2 diffuser connect with air pump will help the algae grow faster? My ats growing slow cause pump flow connect from biopellet reactor

This is a signature : hi

Do not intentionally add Co2 like those planted tank to your marine tank , the PH is going to drop and that's not good. The normal airpump is good enough.

It is coincidently that a CR uses co2 so it's just another good way to remove excess co2 if there are any left after the effluent drips into the tank.

[Guest]

Do not intentionally add Co2 like those planted tank to your marine tank , the PH is going to drop and that's not good. The normal airpump is good enough.

It is coincidently that a CR uses co2 so it's just another good way to remove excess co2 if there are any left after the effluent drips into the tank.

Thanks for clearing my doubt

This is a signature : hi

[lcf425]

Noise level depends on the airpump you use, the humming sound of the pump and the air bubble sound which will be lesser or less audible when the algae grow more dense , but bear in mind that the more bubble for the scrubber the better. It improves the air intake and the overall water flow through the scrubber.

I have mine In The cabinet so can't really hear the sound. The loudest equipment now is the chiller.

And I have my CR affluent drip before the scrubber so the excess co2 rich effluent will be used up by the algae and it help moderate the ph level of the tank water. If you are a CR user, you will know the problem with ph from the effluent

Guess nothing beats the sounds of the compressor kicking in haha ! intend to build 3 set side by side wondering what air pump should i get. How to do attached small pieces of screen to your screen (super glue)? Hope you get what i mean

[xiggie]

Cut slots in the main screen then put the long strip pieces thru them and then glue the whole screen to the bottom of the box.

Airpump ... Get the silent one .. Haha