Starting Algae Scrubber

[no one]

Hello, i´m from Mexico

I'm about to start with this filter... i post all my experiences about it...

My tank have 100 gallons... in this moment i not have problems with tank... but i want proof this system. Maybe this weekend i started the new filter.

Thanks Santa Monica for all the information about it.

[SantaMonica]

Ok we'll be waiting for it :)

[no one]

Hi Santa Monica

This weekend start with my scrubber design...

http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/60/dsc01280ji9.jpg

http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/4450/dsc01282xp4.jpg

http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/881/dsc01281qg5.jpg

The installation is in one sump only for the scrubber.

http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/8505/dsc01279jk7.jpg

http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/5831/dsc01278pz7.jpg

The idea is connect one of my overflow (i have 3) directly to the screen

http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/6636/dsc01284tf6.jpg

http://img367.imageshack.us/img367/9486/dsc01285hg9.jpg

Maybe use 2 white 4500 ºK 36 watts PC... one in each side of the screen, in the picture you see one 50/50 (actinic, true white) only for testing, but tomorrow i buy the new bulbs.

http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/4052/dsc01286mo5.jpg

[worley]

That's a great job! 8-)
Have you tried putting water through the pipe yet?
I bet it flows through pretty evenly as it's being fed from both sides of the screen.

[SantaMonica]

Yes it's good job building! Yes your flow should not be a problem at at all. Couple of questions though. Your tank looks big... how many US gallons? Your screen looks to be small... enough for about a 150 gal tank only. Also, since your screen is small for that tank, you are going to need very strong lights to make up for it. Those lights are not going to be enough. They are too far from the screen, and too little power. If you really want to use those, put two on each side, and change the actinic to a 6500K. Better yet, put two of these on each side:
http://www.buylighting.com/23-Watt-R40- ... 23-51k.htm (http://www.buylighting.com/23-Watt-R40-Compact-Fluorescent-Flood-5100K-p/tcp1r4023-51k.htm)

Have you measured N and P? Do you have nuisance algae?

[kcress]

no one; Nice clean stout looking design.

What is your plan for cleaning the screen?

[no one]

That's a great job! 8-)
Have you tried putting water through the pipe yet?
I bet it flows through pretty evenly as it's being fed from both sides of the screen.

Hi Worley... today the first test of water flow, look...

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/5522/dsc01288ce5.jpg

How you say It´s very pretty evenly

[no one]

Hi Santa Monica.

how many US gallons?
My tank have 100 gallons in main display... 40 gallons in sump... the size of the screen i use is 11x14 plg

Have you measured N and P? Do you have nuisance algae?
I dont measured... sorry, i not have any problem in my tank, no algae problems, all levels are under control.

A couple pictures of my tank

http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/7320/dsc01135ph9.jpg

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/390/dsc01248tx4.jpg

[no one]

The installation...

http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/3875/dsc01291eb1.jpg

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/5128/dsc01290rz0.jpg

http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/4479/dsc01289mu3.jpg


Today i search the 23 Watt R40 Compact Fluorescent Flood 5100K Full Spectrum CFL (thx Santa Monica)... maybe in the night or tomorrow mornig i installed the lights.

[SantaMonica]

Very good. You can leave the tube lights in if you want, but do add the floodlights.

[worley]

Wow, that's some plumbing, and a great looking tank too nice job :D

[no one]

Wow, that's some plumbing, and a great looking tank too nice job :D

Thank you men... :D

Diagram of the setup

http://img123.imageshack.us/img123/5937/tapeteenf9.jpg

[kcress]

Ah that makes more sense and answered some questions.

Use a gate valve as they are much better at flow control.

[no one]

New pics... i have only brown algae

http://img75.imageshack.us/img75/570/tap02vu8.jpg

http://img123.imageshack.us/img123/1401/tap01rk4.jpg

[SantaMonica]

That's not bad if it's day 3 for a new screen. Did you sand the screen?