Brett's first Algae Scrubber

[Brett]

Hi,

Please have a look at the scrubber I built. Any comments or suggestions would be most welcome.
My screen size is 350mm x 280mm

I also have a few questions:

1) Is my lighting OK?
I have the following lights on the scrubber at the moment:
2 x 23W 4000k , 2 x 25W 2700K and 2 x 15W 8500K

2) Do I need a fan if using the bucket method ?

http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q428/Bronty08/DSC03176.jpg
http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q428/Bronty08/DSC03178.jpg
http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q428/Bronty08/DSC03174.jpg
http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q428/Bronty08/DSC03173.jpg
http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q428/Bronty08/DSC03177.jpg

[SantaMonica]

Your bulbs seem fine. You won't need the 8K ones though.

A fan is only needed if you want to cool the water. If you don't want evaporation, put some type of cover over it. Make sure to seal the bulbs with aquarium-safe silicone.

[kcress]

You might want to shade your outlet so that growth doesn't quickly clog it.

[Broder]

That's a fine looking scrubber. I agree that the 8000k is wasted. The wattage is too low and there isn't enough PAR.
A fan will be required to remove heat and humidity if you put a lid on the scrubber. I've found in my design that the temperature remains neutral with 2 large computer fans, but increases without them. I have an enclosed design. The lights will work fine, but 32W will give you even better growth. The more growth that there is the more rapidly the algae will use up the nutrients in the water.

[AlgaeNator]

You running those bulbs through the plastic?

I assume that and you are careful that NO part of the bulbs touching the plastic get hot, it appears the plastic is touching the base portion of the bulb..if that part gets hot, that is VERY dangerous! Because, if the base of the bulbs gets VERY hot at the base or near it, you will be melting plastic potentially and are in danger of setting off fire or worse an electric fire/shock hazard. If they are not touching any part of the bulb, and those parts that are NOT hot, then I guess you are fine, but sure looks close from the pix!

Otherwise looks good!

[Brett]

I assure you they are fine. There is minimal heat where they touch the plastic. Thanks for the concern and warning though.

[Brett]

Hi,

Below are some pics of my scrubber screen after 2 weeks running. Can anyone tell me if it is doing ok or not and what I should do next?


http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q428/Bronty08/DSC03273.jpg

http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q428/Bronty08/DSC03274.jpg

http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q428/Bronty08/DSC03275.jpg

http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q428/Bronty08/DSC03276.jpg

[SantaMonica]

Time to clean