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02/19/2011, 06:04 AM | #126 |
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Nice pickup! I have been wanting a clam for such a long time! I need to get the funds together.
How big is it?
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70 Gallon Oceanic | Coral Reef | Apex Controller | Algae Scrubber |Started 8/14/2010 General Interest Forums > Advanced Topics > Algae Scrubber Basics Thread Basics Write Up - Post #1 | Quick Troubleshooting - Post #1902 | Alternate/Updated Sizing - Post #2723 | Latest Summary - Post #3251 - #3264 |
02/19/2011, 06:24 AM | #127 | |
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Quote:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1843241
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70 Gallon Oceanic | Coral Reef | Apex Controller | Algae Scrubber |Started 8/14/2010 General Interest Forums > Advanced Topics > Algae Scrubber Basics Thread Basics Write Up - Post #1 | Quick Troubleshooting - Post #1902 | Alternate/Updated Sizing - Post #2723 | Latest Summary - Post #3251 - #3264 |
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02/19/2011, 07:51 AM | #128 | |
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Quote:
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Time to roll the dice. |
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02/19/2011, 08:44 AM | #129 |
Either busy or sleeping
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I think the idea originally was to provide more surface area for the algae to adhere to. I believe it became problematic when it came to cleaning the screen, because there was no reliable method for adhering the screens together, because during cleaning they would separate and then what do you do. Over time I think it was realized that significantly roughing the screen up allow all the anchoring area needed. I can attest to this, I roughed my screen up to the point where it was almost falling apart (at the edges, it actually did) and I have never had a problem with algae detachment
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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 |
02/19/2011, 09:05 AM | #130 |
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02/19/2011, 07:17 PM | #131 |
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done with my scrubber.
however, my problem is the the water not wetting the whole screen. flow is good, but there are some spots that werent wet. help for a sol'n is appreciated. |
02/19/2011, 07:25 PM | #132 | |
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Also if you don't mind include pictures of your tank in it current state. Please do not feel ashamed if it not looking good at the moment, we will soon fix that. Also is describe your tank and build, tank size, screen size, lights used etc... Thank you
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70 Gallon Oceanic | Coral Reef | Apex Controller | Algae Scrubber |Started 8/14/2010 General Interest Forums > Advanced Topics > Algae Scrubber Basics Thread Basics Write Up - Post #1 | Quick Troubleshooting - Post #1902 | Alternate/Updated Sizing - Post #2723 | Latest Summary - Post #3251 - #3264 |
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02/19/2011, 07:40 PM | #133 | |
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Here is another SPS tank that uses only an algae scrubber
Quote:
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70 Gallon Oceanic | Coral Reef | Apex Controller | Algae Scrubber |Started 8/14/2010 General Interest Forums > Advanced Topics > Algae Scrubber Basics Thread Basics Write Up - Post #1 | Quick Troubleshooting - Post #1902 | Alternate/Updated Sizing - Post #2723 | Latest Summary - Post #3251 - #3264 |
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02/19/2011, 07:41 PM | #134 |
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More pictures from the same tank...
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70 Gallon Oceanic | Coral Reef | Apex Controller | Algae Scrubber |Started 8/14/2010 General Interest Forums > Advanced Topics > Algae Scrubber Basics Thread Basics Write Up - Post #1 | Quick Troubleshooting - Post #1902 | Alternate/Updated Sizing - Post #2723 | Latest Summary - Post #3251 - #3264 |
02/19/2011, 07:42 PM | #135 | |
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Here is the scrubber for that tank, I really like this build!
Quote:
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70 Gallon Oceanic | Coral Reef | Apex Controller | Algae Scrubber |Started 8/14/2010 General Interest Forums > Advanced Topics > Algae Scrubber Basics Thread Basics Write Up - Post #1 | Quick Troubleshooting - Post #1902 | Alternate/Updated Sizing - Post #2723 | Latest Summary - Post #3251 - #3264 |
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02/19/2011, 07:47 PM | #136 | |
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using 23 watts 5000 kelvin (2) 8inch diameter reflector will take pics soon. Last edited by rysher; 02/19/2011 at 08:14 PM. |
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02/19/2011, 07:59 PM | #137 | |
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This is a very old post from SantaMonica, it gives a good basic understanding of the SM100 he builds. The spray bar is no longer used in place now is the slit design.
REMEMBER THIS POST WAS FROM BACK IN 2007, BEFORE MOST OF THE BASIC RULES WE USE ON ALGAE SCRUBBERS TODAY. LOOK AT IS AS A LITTLE HISTORY LESSON. Quote:
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02/19/2011, 08:07 PM | #138 | |
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I pioneer of our time, Paul B has been running his own version of an algae scrubber on his tank for quite some time. Did I mention his tank is 40 YEARS OLD!?
Quote:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1976198
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70 Gallon Oceanic | Coral Reef | Apex Controller | Algae Scrubber |Started 8/14/2010 General Interest Forums > Advanced Topics > Algae Scrubber Basics Thread Basics Write Up - Post #1 | Quick Troubleshooting - Post #1902 | Alternate/Updated Sizing - Post #2723 | Latest Summary - Post #3251 - #3264 |
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02/19/2011, 08:19 PM | #139 |
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Keeping with the theme of history, the Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce has used algae scrubbers as the "most important life support" of their tanks.
Here is a quote from the link below. http://www.sms.si.edu/smee/behindthescenes.htm "Biological Filtration The most important life support system employed at the exhibit is the one used to control the buildup of inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus, which is excreted by all aquatic animals. In the small controlled environments of our model ecosystems, inorganic nitrogen in the form of ammonia and nitrites can quickly reach toxic levels, while elevated nitrates (which can also reach toxic levels) and phosphates are often associated with algae blooms. In natural waters, these nutrients are maintained at nearly undetectable levels by organisms like seagrasses, phytoplankton, algae, and to a lesser extent certain specialized bacteria. Over 20 years ago, Smithsonian scientists led by Dr. Walter Adey, developed a biological process which utilizes naturally occurring turf or hair algae to control nitrogen and phosphorus levels. The process called algal turf scrubbers or ATS, takes advantage of the photosynthetic capabilities of algae which need nitrogen and phosphorus to grow. Water from the Harvestingaquarium is constantly circulated over brightly illuminated shallow trays of fast growing turf algae grown in the absence of herbivores. Excess nutrients are removed from the system by routinely harvesting the excess algae, as seen in the photograph to the right. In addition to maintaining naturally low levels of nitrogen and phosphorus, other advantages of using ATS filtration include the night-time production of oxygen and the removal of carbon dioxide. In keeping with the Exhibit's philosophy of modeling nature, ATS are the primary means of removing excess nutrients."
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02/19/2011, 08:22 PM | #140 |
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Wow. . . Srusso I'm ok with you using my images. I'm flattered that you would think its worthy to post here. I have a few more shots for you guys. In teh first one you can see (maybe) the growth on teh slimer acro from the first pics to now.
This was in March'10 one month after starting the ATS This was Feb'11 not a great comparison pic, I know |
02/19/2011, 08:23 PM | #141 | |
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User "fishoutawater" build an algae scrubber a few months back. Here is his orginial post.
Quote:
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02/19/2011, 08:29 PM | #142 | |
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Your tank is a great example, thank you for the additional photos!!!
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02/19/2011, 08:33 PM | #143 | |
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If that is the case, an 8"x7" screen will host an 56 gallon tank. The pictures will help us figure out how we can get a more even flow of water on your screen.
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02/19/2011, 08:56 PM | #144 | |
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K, will get pics tomorrow. my tank is only a 40B, i made it 8x7 suitable for a 56G so i can overfeed and not worry about having a small scrubber |
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02/19/2011, 08:59 PM | #145 |
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Below are pictures of my tank and scrubber. I have some cyano going on right now. I've been converting the tank to a reef. I've been working on water params, and now I'm waiting on lighting.
The scrubber's been running for 7 days, and I just added a second 23w light on each side. Previously I was running a single 40w light on each side, so now I have 63w on each side, total 126w. The screen size is 17x9", and another 2" hanging in the water. BTW, the 2" in the water doesn't count towards scrubber size. Oh, my tank is 180g, so screen size and watts are a little under optimal. One more thing, I really have no idea how much flow is going over the screen. I have about 1500gph returns and the scrubber is plumbed into the full siphon overflow. I have a ball valve at the end of the overflow and another ball valve going to the scrubber, adjusted to keep a full siphon. I could push more water over the scrubber, but right now it's adjusted for minimal noise and max flow. I may have to adjusted it more as it grows. |
02/19/2011, 09:02 PM | #146 |
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Great job, keep us updated as things progress. Thank you for posting
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02/19/2011, 09:11 PM | #147 |
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srusso,
can you elaborate on the "slits"??? |
02/19/2011, 09:31 PM | #148 | |
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Quote:
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02/19/2011, 09:46 PM | #149 |
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This should help... it was taken from this document which also explains building an ATS.
www.radio-media.com/fish/AlgaeScrubbers.doc "Construction: Pipe: A basic algae scrubber starts out with a ¾” (1.88 cm) pvc pipe, with a 1/8” (3mm) slot cut along the length of it (the slot is only on the bottom side; it does not go through to the top side). Mark the slot with a marker, and cut it with a Dremel or similar power tool: Cutting this slot is actually the only hard part of building an algae scrubber. If you don’t think you can do it, just ask another hobbiest to do it for you; a cabinet maker or model builder could also do it. It will probably take a few tries, so give yourself some time and some extra pipe to get it right. As a last resort, you could try using a drill to make a series of 1/8” holes really close together, and then use a file to open them all up into a slot. "
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02/19/2011, 09:53 PM | #150 |
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Same document, here is how they explain creating your screen...
Screen: Next, get a piece of “plastic canvas” (otherwise known as “knitting screen”) at your local sewing or crafts store, or online. Rough it up REALLY good with a “hole saw” from your hardware store: If you can’t get a hole saw, then scrape a wood-saw blade sideways across the screen in different directions. A rough screen is very important; the amount of filtering a scrubber can do is proportional to how much the screen can hold on to the algae, without the algae being washed away. Spend some time making every part of the screen super rough, like a cactus: Tilting the hole-saw will help. Make the first pass in one direction, then do another direction. Repeat on the other side. When roughing the edges, go outwards. Be careful on the other side of the screen, since it will rip more easily than the first side. If you do rip a small piece, the screen will still work fine. Do not ever use a non-roughed screen; the algae will fall right off and you will have no filtering. Now slip the screen into the slot, and attach it with zip-ties wrapped around the pipe: The bottom of the screen should go into the sump water an inch or so, to keep the flow quiet and bubble-free.
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70 Gallon Oceanic | Coral Reef | Apex Controller | Algae Scrubber |Started 8/14/2010 General Interest Forums > Advanced Topics > Algae Scrubber Basics Thread Basics Write Up - Post #1 | Quick Troubleshooting - Post #1902 | Alternate/Updated Sizing - Post #2723 | Latest Summary - Post #3251 - #3264 |
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