Bucket Algae Scrubber #2

[Inoneear]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

How long running to get the green?

[Inoneear]

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]

What light you useing? Looks great....

[Inoneear]

karlhh, I'm using a 42 watt 2700k light.

[karlhh]

How many gallon tank you scrubbing?

[Inoneear]

Its on a 90 gal. test tank.

[Inoneear]

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]

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]

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]

So all layers bend behind the pipe? If so that's great.

[Inoneear]

Yes
The first "sock " version did not work.

[kcress]

Very nice!

[Inoneear]

Thanks kcress!

[Inoneear]

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]

More pics of the algae.[attachment=2:39nxkf17]Bucket_Algae_Scrubber_075_B[1].JPG[/attachment:39nxkf17]

[Inoneear]

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]

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]

Got to clean that thing pronto...

[kcress]

Andromeda Strain.

That is a most lurid bright green!