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Unread 06/25/2016, 07:30 AM   #8576
jerseypete
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mattberrytr View Post
A little while ago I posted that I was working on a two cube waterfall scrubber which operated a bit differently. The design is pretty much finished, just have a few minor changes to make in the next revision. A few people asked I post up some pics, so here's what I've got so far. My goal with this scrubber was to make it as compact as possible, whilst still getting the performance benefits from it being a waterfall scrubber. It measures: 5.5 inches square, by 7 inches tall.

The biggest difference is probably that the LEDs are inside the unit, instead of being on the outside (and shining in) on typical waterfall scrubbers. The screen being on the outside, and on all four sides means maximum surface area. A four cube version of this scrubber is only taller by about 3 inches.

The design has three sections. The top and bottom sections contain strong neodymium magnets which hold the middle (scrubber screen) section in place. It's easy to disassemble just by pulling the middle section down and apart for cleaning. Water can only flow down, so it can't overflow like a poorly designed traditional waterfall scrubber would. I need to do some more testing, but from what I've seen so far, if the bottom water exit point ever did get clogged, the water would cascade down over the external sides of the middle unit.

The top section contains the top control side, sealed water intake, the heatsink and the PCB. Water comes in through the hose barb on the top side, and is forced down over the sides of the middle section, containing the screen. The water exits down through the bottom section. The bottom of the unit is designed to sit flush with the water level - so it could sit propped up on some egg crate etc. It's nice and quiet too.

The screen is 3D printed. I grew algae on an ABS 3D printed screen back in 2014, but am switching to PETG as it's naturally food safe. It's better than ABS in pretty much every way, it's also easier to print, so it's a win win. There's a red and violet LED on each side of the heatsink, eight total. It pumps out plenty of light.

Some pics:








Pic of growth on an earlier revision - with an aragonite screen:



Video of the control unit in action if anyone is interested:
Could you show a picture of the lid flipped over. Would like to see how the water flows to all four sides. I tried a similar way. But had trouble with one inlet to get good flow to all four sides.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk


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Unread 06/25/2016, 08:01 AM   #8577
karimwassef
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Aren't you losing the surface area on the back of the mesh?

Why a cube and not a tube? With a tube of LEDs inside, you can run a cylinder of mesh around it?


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Unread 06/25/2016, 08:03 AM   #8578
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So, my front and back of the screens don't share water well. The front used to get it all but now it's much lower. The back looks to be growing much faster given that it had a 3 day delay. I'll have to wait for the first cleaning to get them in a fair race


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Unread 06/25/2016, 03:13 PM   #8579
mattberrytr
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The water exits from holes in the bottom (three on each side), hits a slanted screen and then hits the walls of the middle section.

If it was a double sided screen it would need to be lit from the outside in, I'd get half the screen surface area.
The LEDs would be way too close if I had the screen on the outside of the cylinder. Square works better for a few different reasons.


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Unread 06/25/2016, 09:44 PM   #8580
SantaMonica
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Weekend growth pics...


Attached Images
File Type: jpg ConradOnWRS-4.jpg (41.8 KB, 43 views)
File Type: jpg DerekKolb-2.jpg (74.2 KB, 49 views)
File Type: jpg DougJackson-1.jpg (27.4 KB, 45 views)
File Type: jpg Gex23onUR-1.jpg (62.1 KB, 41 views)
File Type: jpg GuyChaumont-1.jpg (100.8 KB, 42 views)
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Inventor of the easy-to-DIY upflow scrubber, and also the waterfall scrubber that everyone loves to build:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1424843
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Unread 06/26/2016, 04:11 AM   #8581
felps
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Weekend growth pics...
Any pictures of your tanks?


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Unread 06/26/2016, 09:44 AM   #8582
karimwassef
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Any feedback/advice on my video of the 10 day old screen faces?

The growth has very long green algae filaments (about an inch long) but not very thick at the base.


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Unread 06/26/2016, 09:52 AM   #8583
azjohnny
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Green hair is what you want. Your tank must have been in good shape to begin with. Mine produces thicker brown algae with smaller amounts of green hair

I think I have high PO4 though. I do have GHA growing out of the rocks. I have just recently started a media reactor with GFO


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Unread 06/26/2016, 01:09 PM   #8584
SantaMonica
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No tanks for us right now; just test tanks.


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http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1424843
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Unread 06/26/2016, 02:32 PM   #8585
karimwassef
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I mean the length vs. thickness. I have long thin hair, but I think I want short thick hair?


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Unread 06/26/2016, 02:46 PM   #8586
Floyd R Turbo
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Well, you can't expect that to happen overnight. Once you have an established base of growth, then after each cleaning the wheel won't have to be reinvented, so the growth will start out thicker and stronger.

Right now, the fine strands is generally what you are going to get. Just need to give it time.


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Algae Scrubber Basics!!! GOOGLE "algaescrubber zoho"
General Interest Forums --> Advanced Topics --> Algae Scrubber Basics (sticky)
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Unread 06/27/2016, 05:22 PM   #8587
karimwassef
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Day 13 - I couldn't wait another day for the two weeks... so today was the first scrape!

Starting -

here's the blue side
 photo 2F9593AB-2017-4944-9503-5C82E88C53FF_zpslbhfdzxa.jpg

here's the red side
 photo 166ADBAA-4004-4826-A6A5-2B3DFF321052_zpsy8bxwxvg.jpg

The hair algae was very long
 photo 78FE1D57-7636-453B-9A19-54A08E9158BF_zpskkw5fsqx.jpg

In some cases, over a foot long for a single strand (this is in two weeks!)
 photo 4B54E35A-2763-43D9-A12E-326B3ED3108D_zpsjf5vl1wf.jpg

After the first heavy scrape
 photo AD0075C3-791F-4B42-82B1-A7367C6B232C_zpsvilwbaz2.jpg

One side done
 photo 4C937BCF-987C-4361-A15E-BDF62930D013_zps1vrdl64v.jpg

and the other side
 photo 665BBD3F-F42E-460D-8D11-C939D8069393_zpsr7fpn1is.jpg

With both cleaned, it's more see-through.. That's a lot of gunk, but it's very green and thick.
 photo AFDFD06B-D955-4134-908D-0929CA5993B0_zpshpuy85xu.jpg


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Unread 06/27/2016, 05:23 PM   #8588
karimwassef
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Here's the cleaning station, the hose has tank water from the main return pump so I can use it to wash with tank water into the sink.
 photo 95F91A8D-3653-42D8-9D5A-543C605C7192_zpsk6lkmhka.jpg

ready to go back in
 photo 95F3048A-3597-4737-9109-F2BDC9C89C17_zpshjulonhj.jpg

It's almost pretty
 photo BE7FC0D9-0A2D-4BB3-87DC-0EAAEE174222_zpsujujxcft.jpg

removed as much of the liquid as I could
 photo FEFD50DF-4B73-42B1-A575-56D46440B69C_zpsxrzdisdx.jpg
 photo 44EA9889-C40C-4885-A4CA-C382A51E4A6C_zps7ah9p2s2.jpg

total "squeezed" weight = 428grams (almost a pound in two weeks).
 photo B22BE473-52DC-44D7-95C2-D0931B479970_zpshahlp90j.jpg

and back in place
 photo BE7A7EA9-495C-494F-B50A-2F0BAE8EA750_zpspwueyktt.jpg

 photo E5B0136C-4793-4394-8060-865014FD1808_zpslq7rk3v6.jpg

 photo 95D1C7CF-3D66-4035-A5EC-63349F1FF259_zpsmx642jgd.jpg


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Failure isn't an option It's a requirement. 660g 380inwall+280smp/surge S/L/Soft/Maxima/RBTA/Clown/Chromis/Anthias/Tang/Mandarin/Jawfish/Goby/Wrasse/D'back. DIY 12' Skimmer ActuatedSurge ConcreteScape
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Unread 06/27/2016, 05:25 PM   #8589
karimwassef
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so... I think it's fair to say that it's working reasonably well for a two week old scrubber.

Based on this first crop, I would expect to export one lb/week?

If I let it go, it would likely get to 4 lbs a month?

I feel strange throwing it away... so much life! I usually keep it in my algae tank, but this much export is more than it can handle.


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Unread 06/28/2016, 07:43 AM   #8590
Floyd R Turbo
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That's awesome! I would expect at least 1 lb/week if not double that. How many hrs/day are you running the lights?


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Algae Scrubber Basics!!! GOOGLE "algaescrubber zoho"
General Interest Forums --> Advanced Topics --> Algae Scrubber Basics (sticky)
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Unread 06/28/2016, 08:08 PM   #8591
karimwassef
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I'm running 24/7... Algae doesn't seem to get light exhaustion.

I did find out that adding more loads to the same power supply sapped the current and reduced the par. I'm going to modify the lights' power grid to create a higher consistent PAR. Looks like 400 PAR was the sweet spot.


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Failure isn't an option It's a requirement. 660g 380inwall+280smp/surge S/L/Soft/Maxima/RBTA/Clown/Chromis/Anthias/Tang/Mandarin/Jawfish/Goby/Wrasse/D'back. DIY 12' Skimmer ActuatedSurge ConcreteScape
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Unread 06/29/2016, 12:27 AM   #8592
karimwassef
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Holy frijoles! A pound of algae stinks to high heaven in the trash after a day!! The garage is abominable! I've never experienced this before, but I've never had this much export before either.

Anyone else deal with this? I need to take it out immediately next time.


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Unread 06/29/2016, 03:42 AM   #8593
Myriam
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Originally Posted by karimwassef View Post
Holy frijoles! A pound of algae stinks to high heaven in the trash after a day!! The garage is abominable! I've never experienced this before, but I've never had this much export before either.

Anyone else deal with this? I need to take it out immediately next time.
I throw my algae (and chaeto as well) in my compost, outside.


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Unread 06/29/2016, 04:12 AM   #8594
karimwassef
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ok. decided to add a plastic sheet cover - yes. I capitulated to popular opinion (and a couple of LEDs started to flicker).

 photo E12DB888-2C20-4F2C-8E2E-AA0AB964D474_zpsrqm0syzd.jpg

I think it's an acetate sheet - I've had it for a year so I don't remember

 photo 1D61D6DE-2917-4852-8737-2579A19C13A5_zpswsqtcqst.jpg

 photo E525F7E4-A36A-4D4E-AA12-4695F0889338_zpsc3i3b5wy.jpg

It's foldable and will hold a crease

 photo B7CC37AD-2427-49E4-9742-F72872BEE6C0_zpsfryvjlpy.jpg

It's a little hard to see because it's so clear

 photo F0406594-FD0F-4FDE-B180-983B1720A9B1_zpskoim8mot.jpg

and reinstalled

 photo E1971D5A-8281-46B6-BCDC-8141190C35D0_zpsahov8xgk.jpg

the bottom corner is a little imperfect, so you can see the plastic better here

 photo F0DD8079-BE0E-40F9-84C4-50B68BF7FD5B_zps2va4oafc.jpg


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Unread 06/29/2016, 06:10 AM   #8595
jason2459
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That corner looks horrible. You must redo the entire thing. LEDs, plumbing, plastic, all of it.


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You can check out my parameters at reeftronics dot net website and look for my username.

Current Tank Info: 180g mixed reef w/ a beananimal overflow to a dolomite RRUGF. | 20g long G. Smithii Mantis Tank
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Unread 06/29/2016, 06:17 AM   #8596
karimwassef
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No Mr crazy reef devil on my left shoulder... I resist that temptation and will accept my imperfection in my pursuit of reef nirvana. I acknowledge the poor workmanship and accept it as part of the journey...

For now ...


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Unread 06/29/2016, 08:57 AM   #8597
MorganAtlanta
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Quote:
Originally Posted by karimwassef View Post
Holy frijoles! A pound of algae stinks to high heaven in the trash after a day!! The garage is abominable! I've never experienced this before, but I've never had this much export before either.

Anyone else deal with this? I need to take it out immediately next time.
Flush it


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Unread 06/29/2016, 09:02 AM   #8598
jason2459
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Please don't put foreign algae into a sewage or drain system.


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rebuild and recovery log:
No more red house, you'll have to click on my name and visit my homepage!

You can check out my parameters at reeftronics dot net website and look for my username.

Current Tank Info: 180g mixed reef w/ a beananimal overflow to a dolomite RRUGF. | 20g long G. Smithii Mantis Tank
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Unread 06/29/2016, 10:06 AM   #8599
Floyd R Turbo
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Quote:
Originally Posted by karimwassef View Post
I'm running 24/7... Algae doesn't seem to get light exhaustion.

I did find out that adding more loads to the same power supply sapped the current and reduced the par. I'm going to modify the lights' power grid to create a higher consistent PAR. Looks like 400 PAR was the sweet spot.
I would agree that algae does not seem to get light exhaustion, but that you can get photosaturation depending on the intensity level

Meaning, if you have too much intensity, then you hit a point where you won't grow anything. But if you find that right level, you can run it as long as you want.

That is also assuming nothing else changes, meaning, available nutrients. So if you start off with a bang and then over time your available nutrients drop significantly, your light level then might be too much.

Apart from dimming, the only way to adjust intensity is to shade, diffuse, or adjust position/distance. But it's a moving target since everyone's tank is different.


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Algae Scrubber Basics!!! GOOGLE "algaescrubber zoho"
General Interest Forums --> Advanced Topics --> Algae Scrubber Basics (sticky)
--> POSTS #3251-64 (Basics), #5206 (Cleaning), #6884 (LEDs), #729
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Unread 06/29/2016, 10:14 AM   #8600
MorganAtlanta
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Originally Posted by jason2459 View Post
Please don't put foreign algae into a sewage or drain system.
This is hair algae, not culerpa


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