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Inoneear
01-12-2010, 03:36 PM
I've been working at this for some time now...
And here is a pictorial diary




Water distribution was poor and screen access was a pain![attachment=2:294j4h30]Bucket_Algae_Scrubber_001.JPG[/attachment:294j4h30][attachment=1:294j4h30]Bucket_Algae_Scrubber_005.JPG[/attachment:294j4h30]

So I tried this and it seems to work.[attachment=0:294j4h30]Bucket_Algae_Scrubber_006_2_.JPG[/attachment:294j4h30]

Inoneear
01-12-2010, 03:42 PM
The corners are sealed so no water can flow to another slit in the pipe.[attachment=1:1h5ur65z]Bucket_Algae_Scrubber_009_3_.JPG[/attachment:1h5ur65z][attachment=0:1h5ur65z]Bucket_Algae_Scrubber_010_2_.JPG[/attachment:1h5ur65z]

Inoneear
01-12-2010, 03:50 PM
So now I wanted to have controle over flow to each slit in the pipe, so I added this[attachment=2:2kolk3qg]Bucket_Algae_Scrubber_011_2_.JPG[/attachment:2kolk3qg]

This simple valving is easier to turn and adjust and it gives unlimited flow values to each slit.[attachment=1:2kolk3qg]Bucket_Algae_Scrubber_012_2_.JPG[/attachment:2kolk3qg][attachment=0:2kolk3qg]Bucket_Algae_Scrubber_013.JPG[/attachment:2kolk3qg]

Inoneear
01-12-2010, 03:54 PM
The screen material that I used[attachment=2:3g664l9r]Bucket_Algae_Scrubber_014.JPG[/attachment:3g664l9r][attachment=1:3g664l9r]Bucket_Algae_Scrubber_015.JPG[/attachment:3g664l9r][attachment=0:3g664l9r]Bucket_Algae_Scrubber_016_2_.JPG[/attachment:3g664l9r]

Inoneear
01-12-2010, 04:02 PM
First attempt at the screen[attachment=2:1k2xdmvm]Bucket_Algae_Scrubber_017_2_.JPG[/attachment:1k2xdmvm]

I wanted an easy way of removing a screen without removing the bucket or other screens,so I came up with this[attachment=1:1k2xdmvm]Bucket_Algae_Scrubber_019.JPG[/attachment:1k2xdmvm][attachment=0:1k2xdmvm]Bucket_Algae_Scrubber_020_2_.JPG[/attachment:1k2xdmvm]

Inoneear
01-12-2010, 04:08 PM
Attaching Screen[attachment=2:qrcx1qzc]Bucket_Algae_Scrubber_022.JPG[/attachment:qrcx1qzc][attachment=1:qrcx1qzc]Bucket_Algae_Scrubber_023.JPG[/attachment:qrcx1qzc][attachment=0:qrcx1qzc]Bucket_Algae_Scrubber_024.JPG[/attachment:qrcx1qzc]

Inoneear
01-12-2010, 04:15 PM
On the "rack"[attachment=2:1hl9j63a]Bucket_Algae_Scrubber_025.JPG[/attachment:1hl9j63a][attachment=1:1hl9j63a]Bucket_Algae_Scrubber_026.JPG[/attachment:1hl9j63a][attachment=0:1hl9j63a]Bucket_Algae_Scrubber_027.JPG[/attachment:1hl9j63a]

Inoneear
01-12-2010, 04:23 PM
This design forms a "sock"



When the sock is full.....[attachment=1:iyr490yy]Bucket_Algae_Scrubber_028.JPG[/attachment:iyr490yy][attachment=0:iyr490yy]Bucket_Algae_Scrubber_029.JPG[/attachment:iyr490yy]


I quickly learned that I did not like this running!

Inoneear
01-12-2010, 04:30 PM
This is the second screen idea[attachment=2:13ee8vg9]Bucket_Algae_Scrubber_031.JPG[/attachment:13ee8vg9][attachment=1:13ee8vg9]Bucket_Algae_Scrubber_033.JPG[/attachment:13ee8vg9][attachment=0:13ee8vg9]Bucket_Algae_Scrubber_035.JPG[/attachment:13ee8vg9]

Inoneear
01-12-2010, 04:35 PM
And now this[attachment=2:3gl2ones]Bucket_Algae_Scrubber_036.JPG[/attachment:3gl2ones][attachment=1:3gl2ones]Bucket_Algae_Scrubber_037.JPG[/attachment:3gl2ones][attachment=0:3gl2ones]Bucket_Algae_Scrubber_038.JPG[/attachment:3gl2ones]

Inoneear
01-12-2010, 04:46 PM
The front[attachment=2:3uypfafc]Bucket_Algae_Scrubber_050.JPG[/attachment:3uypfafc][attachment=1:3uypfafc]Bucket_Algae_Scrubber_051.JPG[/attachment:3uypfafc]



And the back....with no water flow you get no green....[attachment=0:3uypfafc]Bucket_Algae_Scrubber_059.JPG[/attachment:3uypfafc]



On the next "Rack" I build , I'm going to move the bolts further out to the edge.

karlhh
01-12-2010, 04:55 PM
How long running to get the green?

Inoneear
01-12-2010, 05:19 PM
karlhh this has been running with the new screens since the 26 of December and the picture was taken on the 8th of Jan.

karlhh
01-12-2010, 05:26 PM
What light you useing? Looks great....

Inoneear
01-12-2010, 05:57 PM
karlhh, I'm using a 42 watt 2700k light.

karlhh
01-12-2010, 06:04 PM
How many gallon tank you scrubbing?

Inoneear
01-12-2010, 06:16 PM
Its on a 90 gal. test tank.

Inoneear
01-12-2010, 06:19 PM
With this system, I can remove and clean a screen every 1 to 2 days if I like, without affecting the filtration or shocking the tank[s].
I can adjust the light /flow ratio on any screen and can compare different screens against each other. Also I can have from 5.5 inches to 22 inches of width of filtration depending on tank/pump flow and needs.

SantaMonica
01-12-2010, 06:38 PM
I like it. On your first attempt, the water would probably have evened out after growth filled in, but like you said, you now can adjust each one for experimentation. You can also move the light by just shifting the lid.

I do see a self-limitation. The water is currently flowing down between two screens, and tries to go through the front screen. When growth fills in the front screen, the water has a harder and harder time getting through to the front of the growth, where it is needed the most (by the light). That is the reason that you don't have thick hair growing; you need high flow and bright light at the same spot. How about if you changed to just one screen, and made it the one that goes behind the slot. That way, all flow would be on the front of the remaining screen (the bulb side), because it would not have to go through the screen. The flow would simply go over the new growth (instead of being blocked by it), thus allowing thick hair to grow.

Inoneear
01-12-2010, 06:57 PM
Thanks for the comment!
I guess its hard to see ,but the flow is only on the front of the screen.The mesh [3 layers front #10 middle #7 and back #14] bends behind the pipe.The slot is about 1/4 inch away from the screen. No real flow touches the back of the screen.[attachment=2:2zszti2c]Bucket_Algae_Scrubber_054.JPG[/attachment:2zszti2c][attachment=1:2zszti2c]Bucket_Algae_Scrubber_053.JPG[/attachment:2zszti2c][attachment=0:2zszti2c]Bucket_Algae_Scrubber_057.JPG[/attachment:2zszti2c]

SantaMonica
01-12-2010, 07:34 PM
So all layers bend behind the pipe? If so that's great.

Inoneear
01-12-2010, 08:04 PM
Yes
The first "sock " version did not work.

kcress
01-12-2010, 11:12 PM
Very nice!

Inoneear
01-14-2010, 06:16 PM
Thanks kcress!

Inoneear
01-14-2010, 06:45 PM
Remember this is on a freshwater tank.

I am using tank water from my other tanks, as well as Marisa aka. Giant Columbian Ramshorn snails that are well fed on everything from banana leaves to halibut skin and all.[attachment=2:ify6twhy]Bucket_Algae_Scrubber_064[1].JPG[/attachment:ify6twhy]



This is the algae that is now growing on the screens.[attachment=1:ify6twhy]Bucket_Algae_Scrubber_069[1].JPG[/attachment:ify6twhy][attachment=0:ify6twhy]Bucket_Algae_Scrubber_072[1].JPG[/attachment:ify6twhy]

Inoneear
01-14-2010, 07:04 PM
More pics of the algae.[attachment=2:39nxkf17]Bucket_Algae_Scrubber_075_B[1].JPG[/attachment:39nxkf17]

Inoneear
01-14-2010, 07:07 PM
More algae.[attachment=2:3l24wl2f]Bucket_Algae_Scrubber_089[1].JPG[/attachment:3l24wl2f][attachment=1:3l24wl2f]Bucket_Algae_Scrubber_090[1].JPG[/attachment:3l24wl2f][attachment=0:3l24wl2f]Bucket_Algae_Scrubber_092[1].JPG[/attachment:3l24wl2f]

Inoneear
01-14-2010, 07:11 PM
3 more![attachment=2:664s0snl]Bucket_Algae_Scrubber_095[1].JPG[/attachment:664s0snl][attachment=1:664s0snl]Bucket_Algae_Scrubber_096[1].JPG[/attachment:664s0snl][attachment=0:664s0snl]Bucket_Algae_Scrubber_100[1].JPG[/attachment:664s0snl]

SantaMonica
01-14-2010, 11:38 PM
Got to clean that thing pronto...

kcress
01-15-2010, 08:53 PM
Andromeda Strain.

That is a most lurid bright green!