Build An Algae Scrubber

[Ginty]

Does anyone no the cheapest/easiest way to make a algae scrubber.? (Not algae scrapper)

Just incase you need it. I have a external fluval 206 in a 110litre Tank. I have high nitrate in my tap water and i was thinking of doing a nitrate reactor but someone said a algae scrubber may be better.

 

[Zikofski]

yep, i have one simple way on how to make one.
 
things you will need is a small tub, airstone, air pump, airline tubing, a lamp, and some plastic mesh
 
 
depending on your size tank depends on the size tub u want to get, all this can be placed inside your tank
 
picture is easier to describe it with so here
 

 
 
just place it on the side of the tank hang it over the top or use suction cups to fix it to the side, put lamp on a timer for a long long time over 12hr but less than 24, and point it at the mesh best to keep lamp small low power, and directional like a desk lamp so it doesn't effect the rest of the tank, to help things use sandpaper to roughen up the plastic mesh to help algae growth over a week or two u will get some algae when the algae gets to much and starts to break away or come off then take it out and give it a light clean
 
the sort of plastic mesh u need looks like this 
http/www.gursewingmachines.com/plastic-canvas-14-count-14367-hd?gclid=CJHR1LWYg8ACFcbJtAodFz8Ayg
 
hope this helps

 

[NadeZ]

The previous post is a great way to do this. Alternatively you can float plastic mesh on the surface with a spray bar and standard fluorescent lighting to achieve a horizontal algae scrubber. Nitrate reactors are also highly successful if you fancy some DIY or have a spare canister lying around.
 
Good DIY thread for nitrate reactor and confirmation that Seachem DeNitrate really works
http/www.ultimatereef.net/forums/showthread.php?t=387870

 

[Ginty]

Ive made this. What do you think?

https/www.dropbox.com/s/r96kpu064qkhaop/20140818_220109.jpg?dl=0


https/www.dropbox.com/s/jlr52krmw2oo9be/20140818_220118.jpg?dl=0

https/www.dropbox.com/s/xt67z9kl8j2bivp/20140817_122939.jpg?dl=0

 

[Zikofski]

not bad let us know how it goes 

 

[benthyer]

I hope that I am allowed to post this but UaruJoey on YouTube has loads of brilliant DIY videos including how to make an algae scrubber as I was planning on making one myself.
 
However what you have built looks great!

 

[Ginty]

Dont know if it works yet. Ive had to do a minor repair as there is a slight leak where the overflow comes out.
Ill keep you posted.
This is it again from the front view. I cut a hole out the top and brought the light closer.

https/www.dropbox.com/s/m6iiyv896y90w4j/20140817_122859.jpg?dl=0

 

[Zikofski]

awesome hope the repair is alright do you have any silicon glue?

 

[Ginty]

Yes that's what I fixed it with. I used king british. I glued both inside and outside of the overflow joint so hopefully the leak will stop.

 

[BettaBrightEyes]

Wow I never heard of this before! I'm so glad I joined the forum as I learn about new things every day.
Thanks for making this a post, as it probably would've taken me forever to even hear about an Algae Scrubber.

 

[Ginty]

I never

Wow I never heard of this before! I'm so glad I joined the forum as I learn about new things every day.Thanks for making this a post, as it probably would've taken me forever to even hear about an Algae Scrubber.

To be honest i had never heard of one either. I was going to make a nitrate reacter just to reduce my nitrates a bit, then someone said do an algae scrubber. So after a months research and many youtube videos i came up with this. I just hope it works.

 

[NadeZ]

Love the scrubber! Please keep us updated with the affect this has on your nitrates You could get the best of both worlds by limiting the flow rate and filling some of that container with de-nitrate media.. a hybrid nitrate scrubreactor!

 

[Zikofski]

any updates on this scrubber had any algae growing yet on it?

 

[Ginty]

Love the scrubber! Please keep us updated with the affect this has on your nitrates You could get the best of both worlds by limiting the flow rate and filling some of that container with de-nitrate media.. a hybrid nitrate scrubreactor!

Thanks for the tip. I feel this would be an excellent idea. When i reset my algae scrubber up because i had a small leak, i shall do this.

any updates on this scrubber had any algae growing yet on it?

im setting it back up tonight. Ill keep you all updated.

I think i may have a slight problem. I think i may have to slow the flow down. Any ideas how to do this? My powerhead hasnt got any controls on it to slow the flow down.

 

[Zikofski]

do you use external pipe if so you can get a tap from ebay