DIY Scrubber Finally Up and Running

[andrek787]

Hi All,

I just wanted to share some pics of my first UAS build and get some advice on properly starting it up.

Details:

2 Santa Monica HOG3 shells combined into one longer shell.

6" by 12" roughened screen (72 sq. inch single sided).

Piece of hard airline tubing notched every 1/2" for air feed.

6 x 4W TrueLumen Red\Blue LED Strips (24W)

Fusion 700 Air Pump (both ports feed the scrubber)

[andrek787]

5717571857195720

[SantaMonica]

Let's see how the lights do.

[andrek787]

The lights are set to run @ 100% for 22 hours a day. Is that too much for the start up? The lights support dimmer modules, should I install them and cut down the LED output for now?

I have allot of nutrients in the water.

[SantaMonica]

Since your interior is not white, it should be ok to start.

[andrek787]

Now running 5 days, there is still no sign of algae growing on the screen. Is it too early?

[SantaMonica]

5 days is minumum. Wait a few more.

[andrek787]

Ok, I will give it a few more days. I used Mr. Glue Underwater epoxy to put it together and left it to cure for a week. Its labeled as not safe for reefs so is it possible its inhibiting algae growth? Everything in my tank is covered in algae except the scrubber screen.

[SantaMonica]

No it's just not enough time.

[andrek787]

Progress update:

57285729

Looks like there are lots of hair growing out of green slime. Did I skip some steps?

[SantaMonica]

Can you increase the bubbles?

If not, put a t-shirt over the light to reduce the light.

[andrek787]

I dont think i can really increase the bubbles as my fusion 700 is already maxed out. I will install dimmers and try turning down the output. Based on the initial results do these LED strips look promising?

[SantaMonica]

Yes they seem near enough to overpower the first growth, so once it fills in they might be ok.