DIY 3-in-1 filter

[Raiden]

Hi,

I started a 45cm x 30cm x 30cm nano reef tank about 2 months back with the standard hangon filter and skimmer. I happened to read about the effects of an algae scrubber and was pretty intrigued by the results - especially the part on able to replacing the skimmer with it. Was looking for a design that will fit my limited space. I happened to come across an overhead filter design in a LFS and that inspired me to come up with the DIY design that function as a algae scrubber, refugium and sump for filter materials.

Here's to share a few photos of the making process. Do pardon the workmanship as I was ill-equipped to work with acrylic (ha..ha.. don't even have a acrylic glue applicator - am using an applicator for oil; so ended up with some unsightly glue streak on the acrylic panels); Was trying out using a scoring method (using a pen knife) to cut the acrylic; seems to work well after a bit of practice.

Anyway, like a fellow reefer was telling me... as long as it works... ;P

OK, here are the photos...

Photo 1 - Laying out of the design on the acrylic sheet (3mm)

Photo 2 - Mounting the acrylic sheet for cutting on my makeshift work table (ha..ha.. using a wooden chest from IKEA)

Photo 3 - A shot of after the acrylic was 'cut' - simply score the acrylic about 10 times (for 3mm sheet)and break it with a sudden application of downward force.

Photo 4 - Acrylic panel after they have been cut. Awaiting gluing.

Photo 5 - The complete filter after gluing. The glueing process for me was a challenge as I am not using a proper acrylic glue applicator (ha..ha.. that's why no photo). The glueing requires you to act fast as it bonds within seconds. It became easier after a few try. As I am using only 3mm thick sheet (as that's the thickest I can find in Art Friend), so I reinforce the joints with 3mm triangular acrylic strips, hence making the join to be 6mm thick.

Photo 6 - A closeup shot of the filter in action after leaving it to cure for 24 hrs. This is to ensure that the joints are fully bonded. Afterwhich, a freshwater test was conducted to see if the joints are done properly. For this case, there were 3 spots where the sealing was not done properly. This was rectified with the triangular strips. Am starting with filter wool and will add other material like carbon and rowaphos later.

Photo 7 - A shot of how it looks when mounted on top of my nano tank. I have added a II-shape wooden support behind to support the filter so that I can position it far back of the tank so as not to block the lights to the back of the tank.

Photo 8 - A closeup on the mesh for the algae scrubber. Am using those netting bags that you can find at daiso. I am using a 9W PL light (Warm White) as a light source for the algae and is turned on for about 16 hours. The green stuff is chaeto and sea lettuce, put in there as macro-algae filter while the algae scrubber 'matures'; hopefully, this will also form the refugium for small critters later on.

This is a short sharing and I hope the sharing is useful to you.

FYI. Before working on this, I approached a LFS to make this using glass and the LFS wanted to charge me $90 for it. So I ended up doing it with acrylic and the total cost of the acrylic sheet and strips comes up to about $25; and of course the experience gained in working with acrylic is priceless.

Raiden

[Ketchup]

Quite interesting... so you uses the gravity to flow to the "sump" where you put the additives and flow to the final chamber (algae scrubber/chaeto) then back into tank?

[Raiden]

hi ketchup,

yap... I am using a 2000L/H powerhead to pump the water from main tank. It has very good flow. Only thing to watch is the netting needs to touch the main tank water surface, else you will have bubbles.

Regards...

Raiden

[vagabond]

Impressive!

Have you thought of shifting the slanted plate higher? - Then you have more surface area for algae scrubber.

[Raiden]

yes, the original design has a much longer flow area but was later limmited by the angle of the triangular strip (45 degree). My main concern is the proper sealing of base of the plate. i guess this may not be the constraint once i am better in joining acrylic. one good side effect of angle at 45 degree is that i can place the light directly above without losing effectiveness. Will surely consider a greater angles in my next make.

[Ketchup]

ic... Have you considered enclosing the light area for the chaeto/algae scrubber as it will affect the main tank as it is.

[tunicate]

(1)With mechanical filtration in the 1st chamber, you're restricting nutrient rich water from reaching the scrubber.

(2)The PL light may need to be closer for the scrubber to work effectively.

[Raiden]

hi ketchup,

yap... the light right now does shine into the main tank but it does look nice ... not sure what will be the effect though...

hi tunicate,

thanx for the feedback... indeed, if the mechanical filtration does its work of removing the nutrients from the water... I would have achieve the purpose of the filter... albeit the scrubber may not be fast 'growing' would be fine I guess.

hmm... will have to see how to mount the light closer to the scrubber... all suggestions are welcomed...

Raiden