Algae Scrubber Basics - Page 320

Floyd R Turbo · 03/16/2016, 12:07 PM

If the scrubber is open-air, this is the case. But even in a sump cabinet, you can have reduced CO2 levels over time. If the scrubber is in a fully enclosed box, then you can have CO2 depletion that can lead to an excess alk uptake by the scrubber as it goes to another source. Opening the enclosure can help, and adding a directed fan can help even more.

But to answer the pH question, yes a scrubber running on a reverse light cycle can help with pH drop during DT lights off time

SantaMonica · 03/16/2016, 12:16 PM

Quote:

don't scrubbers also raise pH through photosynthesis?

Yes they are usually capable of 0.1 or 0.2 pH raise if the scrubber is large enough for the system. The larger the scrubber, the more the pH increase.

crocogator106 · 03/16/2016, 12:33 PM

How far off the water should the bottom of the screen be? Also do you guys place the skimmer pump in the refugium area or another area and pump to the fug?

crocogator106 · 03/16/2016, 12:34 PM

Sorry I meant ATS pump not skimmer.

Happyschneider · 03/16/2016, 12:48 PM

A quick question, can the area be too big? If I had two with a total area that is really bigger than what I feed, could the cleaning be every 14 days for each individual (cleaning one every 7 days).

Floyd R Turbo · 03/16/2016, 01:30 PM

Theoretically it's a "maybe". How about that for a non answer

the drawback of "oversized" is that you can end up with the growth spreading out and actually changing in form or type of growth

outy · 03/16/2016, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Floyd R Turbo

the drawback of "oversized" is that you can end up with the growth spreading out and actually changing in form or type of growth

I might be a good test subject for this one.

I'm still 12" X 12" for 1 cube a day. Lit one side "20w actual".

So far I think it just means harvesting every 8 weeks instead of the usual 4 weeks.

Happyschneider · 03/16/2016, 01:56 PM

Thanks for the fast answers. I'm trying to put together the shopping list so that I can do the dyi over easter

Usual 4 weeks? I'm sorry, I thought I remembered that you should under no circumstances let it grow for longer than 7 days. Was that only true pre-led?

Anyway, 4 weeks would be fine for me, despite travels. So I could reduce to recommended size. That helped a lot thank you guys. It really is amazing how willingly you guys share your experience. Highly appreciated!

crocogator106 · 03/16/2016, 02:02 PM

[QUOTE= It really is amazing how willingly you guys share your experience. Highly appreciated![/QUOTE]

I must have leprosy...It's a 50/50 shot or less for me to get anyone to answer or respond to a question.

Floyd R Turbo · 03/16/2016, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crocogator106

I must have leprosy...It's a 50/50 shot or less for me to get anyone to answer or respond to a question.

busy life, busy thread. Easy to miss posts

Quote:

Originally Posted by crocogator106

How far off the water should the bottom of the screen be? Also do you guys place the skimmer pump in the refugium area or another area and pump to the fug?

screen should be maybe 1/2" or so underwater to avoid splashing

Pump placement really is just a preference, in the long run a mature scrubber doesn't care, but if you have problems getting the screen to start up, meaning, zero growth in 3+ weeks, then put the pump near the DT dump into the sump

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happyschneider

Thanks for the fast answers. I'm trying to put together the shopping list so that I can do the dyi over easter

Usual 4 weeks? I'm sorry, I thought I remembered that you should under no circumstances let it grow for longer than 7 days. Was that only true pre-led?

Anyway, 4 weeks would be fine for me, despite travels. So I could reduce to recommended size. That helped a lot thank you guys. It really is amazing how willingly you guys share your experience. Highly appreciated!

no-longer-than-7-days is an old rule that really only applies to weakly lit screens, mainly CFL. I let mine go 14 days routinely. Very seldom will I let grow past about 18 days though.

Mainly IMO this is due to high power LEDs and the "punch" issue I described just recently in this thread

crocogator106 · 03/16/2016, 02:41 PM

No worries and I appreciate your answer. I'm sure I've asked some stupid questions but if I don't know something I'm going to ask.

jrp1588 · 03/16/2016, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crocogator106

I must have leprosy...It's a 50/50 shot or less for me to get anyone to answer or respond to a question.

I'm always thankful for free advice, even if I only get it 50% of the time. haha

FullBoreReefer · 03/16/2016, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrp1588

I'm always thankful for free advice, even if I only get it 50% of the time. haha

"50% of the time it works everytime", I love this quote bahaha

Sorry...back to the discussion lol

crocogator106 · 03/16/2016, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrp1588

I'm always thankful for free advice, even if I only get it 50% of the time. haha

Me to!

Mark... · 03/16/2016, 03:28 PM

Does anyone know if Kydex material is safe for reef environment. Not in the water but by it. Thanks!

crocogator106 · 03/16/2016, 03:33 PM

As long as its not heated. I make sheaths for knives out of kydex and it does give off a chemical smell and can smoke when heated. This usually occurs about or just over 350 degrees. Not sure if this smoke is toxic but cant be good would be my guess.

Mark... · 03/16/2016, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crocogator106

As long as its not heated. I make sheaths for knives out of kydex and it does give off a chemical smell and can smoke when heated. This usually occurs about or just over 350 degrees. Not sure if this smoke is toxic but cant be good would be my guess.

Thanks, as long as the finished product is ok, its all good.

jerseypete · 03/16/2016, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark...

Does anyone know if Kydex material is safe for reef environment. Not in the water but by it. Thanks!

I used it as a light blocker on my scrubber for about a month. Till I ordered one from bud. A lot better then the one I made. But did not see any negatives from it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by crocogator106

As long as its not heated. I make sheaths for knives out of kydex and it does give off a chemical smell and can smoke when heated. This usually occurs about or just over 350 degrees. Not sure if this smoke is toxic but cant be good would be my guess.

biecacka · 03/21/2016, 07:58 PM

Here is mine, 1 week after cleaning. I'm only feeding about 3 cubes a day now. Could that be part of the reason my growth is slow and thin?

Corey

frogg21 · 03/21/2016, 11:07 PM

What thickness is best for the acrylic panels?
I don't want to go to thick and reduce light penetration also I don't want the box to bee to flimsy. What have you guys used where did you order it?

frogg21 · 03/21/2016, 11:18 PM

What is the best thickness acrylic?
I don't want to reduce light penetration or have it be to flimsy. What did did you use and where did you order?

SantaMonica · 03/22/2016, 12:51 PM

1/4" is usually good. Acrylic is very clear, so it won't block much light at all.

AZRippster · 03/22/2016, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frogg21

What is the best thickness acrylic?
I don't want to reduce light penetration or have it be to flimsy. What did did you use and where did you order?

Since you're in Flagstaff, I would recommend making the drive to Phoenix. Lookup Curbell Plastics. Great products, good prices. It's a 3 1/2 hour drive for me, so I stock up whenever I can get to Phoenix during the work day. You're only a couple of hours. The shipping on a sheet of Acrylic will likely motivate you to make the drive

wildman926 · 03/22/2016, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biecacka

[URL=http://s333.photobucket.com/user/biecacka/media/9CECC908-D9CD-4D5B-B1B6-FD1A2BA4B505.jpg.html]Here is mine, 1 week after cleaning. I'm only feeding about 3 cubes a day now. Could that be part of the reason my growth is slow and thin?

Corey

Corey, the purpose of the ATS is to remove excess nutrients. Your growth rate is determined by how much excess nutrients you have in your system. Feed to grow your fish and corals, not the ha in your ats.

biecacka · 03/22/2016, 08:58 PM

I know. I just was over 100 nitrates and fear going that high again. I mis counted my fish, I only have 26 in the tank. But could feed them more to fatten them up. I planned on going up to about 6-8 cubes a day. That is part of reason I made such a big screen to start with.

Corey

03/16/2016, 12:07 PM	#7976
Floyd R Turbo Either busy or sleeping Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: West Des Moines, IA Posts: 4,265 Blog Entries: 15	If the scrubber is open-air, this is the case. But even in a sump cabinet, you can have reduced CO2 levels over time. If the scrubber is in a fully enclosed box, then you can have CO2 depletion that can lead to an excess alk uptake by the scrubber as it goes to another source. Opening the enclosure can help, and adding a directed fan can help even more. But to answer the pH question, yes a scrubber running on a reverse light cycle can help with pH drop during DT lights off time __________________ Algae Scrubber Basics!!! GOOGLE "algaescrubber zoho" General Interest Forums --> Advanced Topics --> Algae Scrubber Basics (sticky) --> POSTS #3251-64 (Basics), #5206 (Cleaning), #6884 (LEDs), #729

03/16/2016, 12:48 PM	#7980
Happyschneider Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Basel, Switzerland Posts: 350	A quick question, can the area be too big? If I had two with a total area that is really bigger than what I feed, could the cleaning be every 14 days for each individual (cleaning one every 7 days). __________________ My build thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2517452 180 liter, sumpless reef, no skimmer for the moment. Current Tank Info: Juwel VISION 180, currently only invertebrates, planning to have low bioload as I have no skimmer and no refugium for the moment.

03/16/2016, 01:30 PM	#7981
Floyd R Turbo Either busy or sleeping Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: West Des Moines, IA Posts: 4,265 Blog Entries: 15	Theoretically it's a "maybe". How about that for a non answer the drawback of "oversized" is that you can end up with the growth spreading out and actually changing in form or type of growth __________________ Algae Scrubber Basics!!! GOOGLE "algaescrubber zoho" General Interest Forums --> Advanced Topics --> Algae Scrubber Basics (sticky) --> POSTS #3251-64 (Basics), #5206 (Cleaning), #6884 (LEDs), #729

03/16/2016, 01:56 PM	#7983
Happyschneider Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Basel, Switzerland Posts: 350	Thanks for the fast answers. I'm trying to put together the shopping list so that I can do the dyi over easter Usual 4 weeks? I'm sorry, I thought I remembered that you should under no circumstances let it grow for longer than 7 days. Was that only true pre-led? Anyway, 4 weeks would be fine for me, despite travels. So I could reduce to recommended size. That helped a lot thank you guys. It really is amazing how willingly you guys share your experience. Highly appreciated! __________________ My build thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2517452 180 liter, sumpless reef, no skimmer for the moment. Current Tank Info: Juwel VISION 180, currently only invertebrates, planning to have low bioload as I have no skimmer and no refugium for the moment.

03/16/2016, 03:28 PM	#7990
Mark... Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Jersey Shore Posts: 617	Does anyone know if Kydex material is safe for reef environment. Not in the water but by it. Thanks! __________________ The solution, to pollution, is dilution... Current Tank Info: 180

03/16/2016, 12:33 PM	#7978
crocogator106 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Alabama Posts: 371	How far off the water should the bottom of the screen be? Also do you guys place the skimmer pump in the refugium area or another area and pump to the fug?

03/16/2016, 12:34 PM	#7979
crocogator106 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Alabama Posts: 371	Sorry I meant ATS pump not skimmer.

03/16/2016, 02:02 PM	#7984
crocogator106 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Alabama Posts: 371	[QUOTE= It really is amazing how willingly you guys share your experience. Highly appreciated![/QUOTE] I must have leprosy...It's a 50/50 shot or less for me to get anyone to answer or respond to a question.

03/16/2016, 02:41 PM	#7986
crocogator106 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Alabama Posts: 371	No worries and I appreciate your answer. I'm sure I've asked some stupid questions but if I don't know something I'm going to ask.

03/16/2016, 03:33 PM	#7991
crocogator106 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Alabama Posts: 371	As long as its not heated. I make sheaths for knives out of kydex and it does give off a chemical smell and can smoke when heated. This usually occurs about or just over 350 degrees. Not sure if this smoke is toxic but cant be good would be my guess.

03/21/2016, 07:58 PM	#7994
biecacka Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Columbus Ohio Posts: 6,361	Here is mine, 1 week after cleaning. I'm only feeding about 3 cubes a day now. Could that be part of the reason my growth is slow and thin? Corey

03/21/2016, 11:07 PM	#7995
frogg21 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Fragstaff, AZ Posts: 341	What thickness is best for the acrylic panels? I don't want to go to thick and reduce light penetration also I don't want the box to bee to flimsy. What have you guys used where did you order it?

03/21/2016, 11:18 PM	#7996
frogg21 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Fragstaff, AZ Posts: 341	What is the best thickness acrylic? I don't want to reduce light penetration or have it be to flimsy. What did did you use and where did you order?

03/22/2016, 12:51 PM	#7997
SantaMonica Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Santa Monica, California, USA Posts: 2,511	1/4" is usually good. Acrylic is very clear, so it won't block much light at all. __________________ 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

03/22/2016, 08:58 PM	#8000
biecacka Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Columbus Ohio Posts: 6,361	I know. I just was over 100 nitrates and fear going that high again. I mis counted my fish, I only have 26 in the tank. But could feed them more to fatten them up. I planned on going up to about 6-8 cubes a day. That is part of reason I made such a big screen to start with. Corey

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