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View Full Version : First post and have some problems.



scubayachts
12-10-2011, 08:24 AM
Hello everyone. A couple months ago I built and added my first algae scrubber. I had nitrates that where off the charts and high phosphates as well. After running this system with two cfl 23w bulbs, one on each side I now how 0 for both nitrates and phosphates.

I was doing a little work on the system today and kinda screwed up lol. I had a pretty good set up running and could easily get light to both sides of the screen. I removed both baffles in my tank today now cannot figure a way to get two bulbs on each side. Now the system also makes alot of water noise. should I reduce flow? Any tips on getting two lights to hit both sides? Here are two videos of my current set up. Any advice?

http://s701.photobucket.com/albums/ww11 ... 18_871.mp4 (http://s701.photobucket.com/albums/ww11/scubayachts/?action=view&current=2011-12-10_11-01-18_871.mp4)

http://s701.photobucket.com/albums/ww11 ... 28_682.mp4 (http://s701.photobucket.com/albums/ww11/scubayachts/?action=view&current=2011-12-10_11-00-28_682.mp4)

SantaMonica
12-10-2011, 11:06 AM
You should change to a spiral bulb with a wide reflector. You are burning the middle, and if anything, you need more flow.

How is it that you have less room after removing baffles?

scubayachts
12-10-2011, 01:56 PM
Well the problem I have now is I was using the baffles and I clipped the lights to those. You can see my new set up in the video. Any recommendations on how I should get a light in front of the screen on the other side? If I clipped it like the other one I can not close my stand doors. Why use cfl with reflector instead of what I have? Should I just add more PVC and make a new longer screen So the light clips can hit the screen easier?

SantaMonica
12-10-2011, 04:03 PM
Wider will reflect the light more evenly, and not burn the middle, and therefore filter better. Looks for examples here:
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=26 (http://www.algaescrubber.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=26)