New to scrubbers, what do you think of mine?

[aklee987]

Hi. I'm new to this site, but not to reefing. I decided to make a turf scrubber to see what it would do. What do you guys think of my design? Any constructive criticism would be appreciated.
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd139/tleemailme/40%20Breeder%20Jan%2019%202011/IMG_20110219_124754.jpg

This is how I "attached" the mesh to the scrubber. I put three zip ties in so the mesh would not fall out of the slit in the PVC. Doesn't seem to restrict any flow, and the mesh can't fall out.
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd139/tleemailme/40%20Breeder%20Jan%2019%202011/IMG_20110219_122815.jpg

Here it is in action:
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd139/tleemailme/40%20Breeder%20Jan%2019%202011/IMG_20110219_130824.jpg

[aklee987]

I'm actually not sure I've used the right mesh, what do you guys think?

I've also made a few adjustments since the pics were taken. I've placed a ball valve here:
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd139/tleemailme/40%20Breeder%20Jan%2019%202011/IMG_20110219_124754-1.jpg

That also moved the screen up so it is barely under water, wasting less screen space.

[mrbncal]

Looks like a neat design. However you are going to need to rough up that screen. Being smooth like that is not going to let the algae have something to hold on to.

Also do you just snap the bar into that modified tee? Does it leak?

[aklee987]

I did rough up that screen with a coarse sandpaper block. Not sure if it was before or after the picture.

I did just snap the gray bar on the T. There was some, leaks until I put the ball valve in, there was just too much flow. I turned the flow down, and now there are no leaks and I have a nice even flow all down the sheet.

After the first week, there was some brownish green growth, which I cleaned off. Then it created a mini flood in my stand, which is when I added the ball valve. No more mini floods, hopefully.

[aklee987]

Also, here are some random pictures of the tank:

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd139/tleemailme/40%20Breeder%20Jan%2019%202011/IMG_0321.jpg

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd139/tleemailme/40%20Breeder%20Jan%2019%202011/IMG_0313.jpg



Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

[SantaMonica]

Reflector is nice and big. Screen is too smooth, needs to be roughed up with a hole/wood saw; sandpaper does not work. Changing to plastic canvas would be best, because there is almost no "surface" and all "holes" to grab on to. This will show up later when you have lot's of growth: A smoother screen will not filter as much because the algae will let go, especially long green hair algae which get pulled a lot by the flow.

Also if you can get a light on the other side, it will help greatly to keep the "roots" alive.

[aklee987]

I will have to pull it and really roughen the screen up, but I don't want to bother if I need to get a new screen.

What do you mean by plastic canvas?

I will try to get a light on the other side, have to make room. I suppose if my skimmer quits pulling stuff, I'll remove it and have a ton of room.

So do you guys think my skimmer will quit pulling stuff?

[SantaMonica]

Skimmer has nothing to do with it. Skimmer removes food. The more you feed, the more it pulls.

Here is plastic canvas:

http://www.radio-media.com/fish/ScreenHoleSaw.jpg

http://www.radio-media.com/fish/CanvasCompare.jpg

[aklee987]

So I don't actually put the hole saw in a drill, right? Just scrape with the bit in my hand?

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

[SantaMonica]

Correct; tilting the bit sideways will help.

[aklee987]

Thanks for the tip. I actually used a crappy serrated knife I had and scraped it against the screen. Now it looks and feels very "fuzzy"

I also changed out my bulb because I realized my bulb was 6 months old. I read on this site that you really want to change bulbs every 3 months?

Also, can someone tell me what they use to scrape their screen? I've been just using my fingers and washing the screen under the sink- but I think washing it gets it too clean, I feel like it has to start over each time.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

[SantaMonica]

3 months.

Use fingers until algae get tougher, then use something flat.