my algae problem

[trev]

Hi, I keep a tank of discus, I have really good filtration , 4× x exterior filters,fluval 406.Two of these filled with zeolite and the other two medium for benifical bacteria.Water is spot on as far as ammonia,nitrates,nitrate.But, I have problem with green alga growing on glass big time, as to be cleaned off every 4-5. days.Water changes regular, not overfeeding, I know what problem is too much light.Keep the tank in conservatory,I know, bad idea but that's where it is.Tank dosent have any more lighting other than natural and its a open topped tank. I've just made a diy algae scrubber, only day 2 running unit and I am hopeing its gonna solve my problems with algae.I,ve used a fluval u2 internal filter, basicaly modified have a bank of leds on a strip shinning on mesh inside unit,unit placed with no lid with a lot of waterfow entering from top.Just checked mesh and apears to be going green,wether it grows turf that's another thing.Keeping my fingers crossed.

[Andy_cy]

Does green turf algae grow in freshwater? I doubt so, because all I'm getting from mine is frail strands of green hair algae.

[SantaMonica]

Welcome.

Pics of the unit would help.

[trev]

No pics im afraid dont want to disturb unit at moment but soon as i remove from tank in about 10 days and if its started to work i will take photos.I was going to buy a hog 5 scrubber,i live in uk nobody sells them over here and to order from usa was going to cost me £110 with shipping.I,ve used a old fluval u2 internal filter removed the media and basicly put a row of leds surounding 2 screens.I have removed the lid from the unit to allow a little extra light in, tank is in a well lit room [ natural sunlight ],and my main discharge from external filter flows into the top of fluval u2.Maybe it will not work, keeping fingers crossed,only thing that might let it down is the lighting from the led strip..

[SantaMonica]

What wattage is the LED power supply?

[trev]

Hi, Wattage of led 12v 2 amp, not a lot but have 8 leds 1 inch from screen. The led strip is waterproof, its the only led strip that i could find that can be submersed.Everything is compacted into the fluval u2.If this light is not adequate from this led sourse, i will probably suspend a led out of the water over top of fluval .

[trev]

Do you think this low wattage will fail¿checked the 2 screens and slight alga growth as started..

[SantaMonica]

Let's see, give it 14 days.

[trev]

Hi, have just checked the 2 meshes and slight build up of alga occuring and it does seem to be green alga. If i get a good growth building up on mesh should i clean or just leave to become well estabished.u

[SantaMonica]

14 days

[trev]

Hi, i know to wait the 14 days but had to check screen again, good news getting what i think is very good green alga growth one side of screen1. The other side of screen1 is fair growth and both sides of screen2 fair growth. Lighting is the issue i think , managed to fit more leds to improve growth on other screen.If all goes well with unit, going to wait 3-4 weeks to see,

[comet]

trev, any update on your progress?

[trev]

Hi, diy alga scrubber working fine, dark green alga thats had to be cleaned 3 times.Had to make a couple of modifications but all working fine.Scrubber is completly silent runing and easy to clean.Changing my aquarium in a couple of months 4ftx2ftx2ft so will have to design bigger scrubber for new tank.My diy scrubber still on test , seem to be getting less alga growing on aquarium glass probably 50% less and water definatly looks cleaner.Improved my lighting on scrubber now have red leds instead of white and more of them.Basicly my unit consists of a set of leds incased in a black holder very simlar to hog 5 held onto aquarium glass with bluetak.Using a fluval internal filter inside tank with plastic cut away to allow leds to shine through aquarium glass into fluval.A growing screen is trapped inside fluval close to leds.I seem to get a good flow through filter of water across screen.I would put pics to show my design but unable to work out how to upload pics.This scrubber is just a test the growing plate is only 2 1/2x3 1/2 inch obviosly i will need a larger growing area for bigger tank.