Hugbert
08-10-2011, 06:19 PM
Hi all,
I'm new to the forum game but having spent the last few weeks trawling through all the posts on here I'm convinced that algae scrubbers are the way forward. Maximum respect to the pioneers, particularly SantaMonica - wanted to build one of his 100's but it won't fit in my cabinet and we can't get 18" Nova Extreme T5HO's in Blighty... So CFL's it is then!
I'm setting up a Betta Lifespace 680; it's a 63 imp gal / 283 litre tank (including the sump) which is fairly common but I haven't managed to find any on here with ATS's installed. I intend to run it with only a scrubber, no skimmer or reactors. I will be using natural sea water collected from my local beach in North Wales then filtered (through 200 micron sock) so I will be buying a UV sterilizer (TMC Vecton 300).
The design i've settled on is inspired by Hobbyist's recent creation (his completed sump mounted ATS is on this site) in its three box design and only differs in that the two light boxes have clear acrylic screens to seal the front and hopefully protect the mirrored acrylic and bulbs from salt etc... Each light box will have a removable lid that the 3 lamp holders are fixed to. It will be fed from my overflow then return into the 1st chamber of the sump.
My screen looks like it will be 12" x 7" with the bottom inch submerged in water giving 6" above water illuminated by the CFL lamps that will be in line, 3 x 18w 2700k per side. I've made a cardboard model and it all fits now just need to finish off the CAD drawings and get the acrylic cut to size.
I will get some pictures up as soon as it's ready but really was hoping for some expert eyes to check over the numbers and also any advice about it being fed from the overflow? I read Floyd Turbo R's summary about how critical it is to know the flow and I agree but my tank is dry and waiting for pipework which I don't want to fit until the scrubber is made and in position... I'm assuming if I'm short of the 420 GPH I need I can upgrade the return pump to up the flow? This is on the list to do anyway as the standard "chinese pond pump" looks a bit suspect and underpowered.
Question for Hobbyist if you're reading - how hard is it to remove the screen for cleaning? Do you just shut off the pump and valve then unscrew the joint?
Thanks in advance
I'm new to the forum game but having spent the last few weeks trawling through all the posts on here I'm convinced that algae scrubbers are the way forward. Maximum respect to the pioneers, particularly SantaMonica - wanted to build one of his 100's but it won't fit in my cabinet and we can't get 18" Nova Extreme T5HO's in Blighty... So CFL's it is then!
I'm setting up a Betta Lifespace 680; it's a 63 imp gal / 283 litre tank (including the sump) which is fairly common but I haven't managed to find any on here with ATS's installed. I intend to run it with only a scrubber, no skimmer or reactors. I will be using natural sea water collected from my local beach in North Wales then filtered (through 200 micron sock) so I will be buying a UV sterilizer (TMC Vecton 300).
The design i've settled on is inspired by Hobbyist's recent creation (his completed sump mounted ATS is on this site) in its three box design and only differs in that the two light boxes have clear acrylic screens to seal the front and hopefully protect the mirrored acrylic and bulbs from salt etc... Each light box will have a removable lid that the 3 lamp holders are fixed to. It will be fed from my overflow then return into the 1st chamber of the sump.
My screen looks like it will be 12" x 7" with the bottom inch submerged in water giving 6" above water illuminated by the CFL lamps that will be in line, 3 x 18w 2700k per side. I've made a cardboard model and it all fits now just need to finish off the CAD drawings and get the acrylic cut to size.
I will get some pictures up as soon as it's ready but really was hoping for some expert eyes to check over the numbers and also any advice about it being fed from the overflow? I read Floyd Turbo R's summary about how critical it is to know the flow and I agree but my tank is dry and waiting for pipework which I don't want to fit until the scrubber is made and in position... I'm assuming if I'm short of the 420 GPH I need I can upgrade the return pump to up the flow? This is on the list to do anyway as the standard "chinese pond pump" looks a bit suspect and underpowered.
Question for Hobbyist if you're reading - how hard is it to remove the screen for cleaning? Do you just shut off the pump and valve then unscrew the joint?
Thanks in advance