Looks Great, I want One

[NateDiggity]

Hi All,

I have been reading about the algae scrubbers for a while over at the saltwaterfish forum.

My protein skimmer just took a shit and I can't afford a new one.

Am I good conidate for a scrubber? I have a 72 bowfront with a pretty heavy load. I have pretty high Nitrates and Phosphates.

From what I gather I will need about a 10" X 10" screen double sided. SOUND RIGHT?

Basically I was going to empty the expensive sump / refugium out and just get a 20 / 30 gallon and do just a scrubber and sump area, am I okay to do this.

Right now I have mostly softies but would like to do some hard corals in the future. Any input is appreciated. What is the best screen material that you know of right now.

TRhanks much,

Nate

[SantaMonica]

Well for the time being, put some poly filters and phosphate absorbers in the water, to give you time to build your scrubber. Remove them after you get a few days growth on your scrubber.

Yes a scrubber will replace the skimmer. How big are your biggest fish? This will determine if you need more clean up crew. Big fish leave big pieces of food laying around that skimmers normally remove... these big pieces are too big for corals, so the CUC will chop them up. Then when the pieces are small like dust, your corals can eat.

Size rule for regular loads: 1 square inch per gallon. Since you have a heavy load, however, go with a 12 X 12 if you can.

Light rule: 0.5 watts per gallon for normal load; 1.0 watts per gallon for high load. Go with the high load. Get two of these 30w bulbs:

http://www.buylighting.com/30-Watt-R40- ... 0w-27k.htm (http://www.buylighting.com/30-Watt-R40-CFL-2700K-Warm-White-Light-Bulb-p/fe-rsf-30w-27k.htm)

... and two clip-on sockets from the hardware store.

For the screen, get two sheets of plastic canvas, then rough up both sides of both sheets:

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


Point the bulbs at the middle of the screens (not the top), at 4" away. Turn them off for 6 hours each day. Get a strong flow out of the pipe (try for 500 gph)...

http://www.radio-media.com/fish/UserZennzzoOnMFK-05.jpg



and use cross cuts...

http://www.radio-media.com/fish/UserHuhhhhhOnMB-02.jpg

Clean every 7 days...

Part 1: http://www.radio-media.com/fish/Scraping1.mpg
Part 2: http://www.radio-media.com/fish/Scraping2.mpg
Part 2: http://www.radio-media.com/fish/Scraping3.mpg
Part 3: http://www.radio-media.com/fish/Scraping4.mpg

[NateDiggity]

Okay, yeah I'll get the 30 watters. Is there any information regarding how much they degrade after the three months. Only asking because at that price I would hate to change them out every three months. In a year I'll spend less on my 4 48" T5 bulbs and I get the good ones. Thinking that maybe with the 30w I could stretch the life a little, or could I switch to the 23w after a couple cycles with the 30's. Has anyone got good results with LED Floodlights?

I have 3 sorta big fish. Yellow Tang 5", Regal Tang 5", Regal Tang 4".

I do have a pretty good crew, I've got probably 35 hermits total, and a bunch of snails in the sand as well.

Thanks for all the info, i'm gonna start planning this thing cause I gotta get it going.

[SantaMonica]

They might be able to last longer, but it degrades so slowly that you won't notice when it's gone too far. No tests have been done, but, one indication is nitrates and phosphates starting to rise again, as well as algae starting to form on the rocks and glass, and the glass needing cleaning more often. As for cost, remember that you no longer have to pay for any other filter devices or media, or do any water changes, to control nutrients.

[NateDiggity]

You make some good points aboout money savings in other areas.

I went ahead and ordered a 4 pack of bulbs. I ended up buying them form this place.

Prices were a little cheaper and so was shipping. I'll let you know how their service is.

http://www.energy-superstore.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1096

[NateDiggity]

I ran into a big problem with my setup. I went to remove my sump and it doesn't fit out the front of my stand. My opening is 31" and the sump is 30". I can't get it up on end to fit out the door. The stand is not something that I can cut into to get it out or anything like that.

So, with the sump I have now I only have room for a one sided screen.

If I buy a new skimmer, would a one sided screen still reduce my nitrates and phosphates?

Thanks

[SantaMonica]

It will do it even without the skimmer. Just make it bigger, and use all the watts on the one side.