Long time lurker first time posting

[n2jeeps]

I have had my scrubber set up since August 2013 with limited results. I am looking for advise as to what i am doing wrong or what i need to change to make it better. I am using two 13 watt cfl 6500k bulbs, the flow is directly from the overflow with the return pumping 1200 gallons per hr of which aprox half goes to the scrubber half through filter socks. Here are some pictures of the setup. I am a huge believer in this method of nutrient removal but have yet to realize its full potential in my own system any help will be appreciated.... If there is any info you need please ask.

[n2jeeps]

Some info i forgot 90 gallon mixed reef tank

[glasforex]

if algae too dark then light is too low.

holes = pods ?

[SantaMonica]

Welcome.

Wattage is way to little. And yes the holes are pods.

[n2jeeps]

what bulbs specifically should i buy? if i stick to a cfl should it be a spiral bulb or a spotlight type?

[SantaMonica]

How much are you feeding each day?

[n2jeeps]

I feed a pinch of flake 3 times a day and every other day I replace pinch with 3 cubes frozen food.

[C-Horse]

Some people with alot more experience than me thinks that "pod holes" are signs that you screen need to be roughed up some more.

You may want to try it to see if it will help.

[n2jeeps]

Ok so I went and got different bulbs. I bought 25 watt 2700 k spiral curl bulbs, if will try roughing up the screen next time I clean it.

[SantaMonica]

Pod holes are from it sitting there too long without growing. Pods are always eating, buy when it grows enough it will cover it.

That screen is big; all screens need at least 1 watt per square inch.

Scrubbers are sized according to feeding. Nutrients "in" (feeding) must equal nutrients "out" (scrubber growth), no matter how many gallons or liters you have. So...

An example VERTICAL upflow or waterfall screen size is 3 X 4 inches = 12 square inches of screen (7.5 X 10 cm = 75 sq cm) with a total of 12 real watts (not equivalent) of fluorescent light for 18 hours a day. If all 12 watts are on one side, it is a 1-sided screen. If 6 watts are on each side, it is a 2-sided screen, but the total is still 12 watts for 18 hours a day. This screen size and wattage should be able to handle the following amounts of daily feeding:

1 frozen cube per day (2-sided screen), or
1/2 frozen cube per day (1-sided screen), or
10 pinches of flake food per day (2-sided screen), or
5 pinches of flake food per day (1-sided screen), or
10 square inches (60 sq cm) of nori per day (2-sided screen), or
5 square inches (30 sq cm) of nori per day (1-sided screen), or
0.1 dry ounce (2.8 grams) of pellet food per day (2-sided screen), or
0.05 dry ounce (1.4 grams) of pellet food per day (1-sided screen)

High-wattage technique: Double the wattage, and cut the hours in half (to 9 per day). This will get brown screens to grow green much faster. Thus the example above would be 12 watts on each side, for a total of 24 watts, but for only 9 hours per day. If growth starts to turn YELLOW, then increase the flow, or add iron, or reduce the number of hours. And since the bulbs are operating for 9 hours instead of 18, they will last 6 months instead of 3 months.

HORIZONTAL screens: Multiply the screen size by 4, and the wattage by 1 1/2. Flow is 24 hours, and is at least 35 gph per inch of width of screen [60 lph per cm], EVEN IF one sided or horizontal.

FLOATING SURFACE SCRUBBERS WITH RIBBONS: Screen size is the size of the box (Lenth X Width), and is 2-sided because the ribbons grow in 3D.

LEDs: Use half the wattage as above. 660nm (red) is best. You can mix in a little 450nm (blue) if you want.

Very rough screen made of roughed-up-like-a-cactus plastic canvas, unless floating surface, which would use gravel and strings instead.

Clean algae:

Every 7 to 21 days, or
When it's black, or
When it fills up, or
When algae lets go, or
When nutrients start to rise

[kerry]

I think the higher wattage bulbs will work much better. Give them a couple weeks and see, if still brown bump up the hours a couple every two weeks until it starts to get green. Also be sure you the proper flow of 35 GHP as SM posted above. How big is the screen?

[n2jeeps]

The screen is 10"x13"
Is 35mph the minimum or can you have too much flow?

[kerry]

Thats a HUGE screen, do you feed more then 3 cubes a day? 3 cubes only needs 36" (6x6). Also your screen may need to be a lot rougher. You can have more then 35 but be careful as 35 is really good. Also your screen is way to big for your light, cutting down to 6x6 would grow a ton more algae and filter better.