scrubber questions

[dh2595]

im new hear and learning i have built a scrubber its in the sump 14 wide 20 tall reo pump 1700 the flow is about 490 witch it calls for it has two spot lights may need more they are 90 watts and rated as 26 watts 1200 lumes 6500k about 4 inchs away been on 24-7 for week nothing growing yet the material was ruffed up hole saw just try to fighure out if need more light or flow thanks

[SantaMonica]

18 hour lights on

6 hours lights off

[dh2595]

should i do that now do you think i need more light thanks

[SantaMonica]

Do it first. If not enough filtering after a month, add two more bulbs.

[dh2595]

thanks seems to working its turning all brown now thanks

[ocean rock]

if the brown get to look oily clean it off straight away

[dh2595]

its turning green when should i clean it and whats the best way to clean and how clean should it bee also seems like the waters not flowing as well should the slot be a little bigger thanks

[SantaMonica]

Leave the slot for now.

There are three reasons a screen needs weekly cleanings: 1) The FW in the sink kills the pods that will eat the algae, 2) The algae you clean off is nitrate and phosphate that you just removed from your tank, and 3) As the algae gets thicker on the screen, the outer layers start shading the inner layers, causing the inner layers to die and flow back into the tank, re-introducing nitrate and phosphate, and also clouding the water.

After 7 days, it's time for cleaning. Take the screen out and put it in the sink, and while lightly running tap water on it, very very lightly give it a soft rub with your fingers (not fingernails). Don't force it, or remove it all the way to the screen. All the green algae you removed is nitrate and phosphate from your tank.

Now wait another 7 days and do it again. If the growth is real dark like oil, then clean more often, like every 5 days, or 3 days, until it starts going green. When it's green you can go back to 7 days. Here is a cleaning video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6PGUMJNvEU


----------


After several months, you may start getting some thick brown algae that feels like clumps, which won't come off. That's turf algae. It's not good or bad, it's just different. You'll need to cut it off once a month or so, using a razor blade. I personally don't like it; I like lots of green hair algae better.

[dh2595]

thank you for your help

[dh2595]

got some more questions seem to be working some what it does not get that green like my friends its green in spots and brownish green not sure what i need to do thanks

[ocean rock]

check you lighting you need 1w per gallon a good flow clean ever 7 days , if it get black or brown oily alage clean off straight away .

[SantaMonica]

If you have brown, it may go to green after a few weeks. To make it go green now, use more light.

[dh2595]

should i in crease the wattage or more bulbs i have 2 on one side and 1 on the other it will be tight to fit more the bulbs on it now are listed as 90 watts rated at 26 watts and 6500 k flood lights thanks

[SantaMonica]

Go to 33 watts. That's about as high as floodlights will go before burning the algae in the center.

[dh2595]

thanks ill try it on one side first

[dh2595]

ok still haveing problems seem to grow green where the light is pointing but other spots brownish lights off for 6 two floods 90 watts rated at 26 on one side and one on the other side clean once a week not sure where to go more light more flow or move the lights back more there about 6 inchs away now help please

[SantaMonica]

You need more light on the brown areas.

[ocean rock]

the kelvin on the bulbs are high at 6500k try them at 2700k might help

[dh2595]

ok ill try that im tight for space on lights any other ideas for lights not sure i can get more down there might be able to put ffour on one side the other not sure what other kind of lighting is there to yous my screen is one and a half sheets two thick thanks

[SantaMonica]

Just run it the way it is for a while. As long as you are getting some green you are ok.

[dh2595]

ok its green in spots and not in some i have 6500 k should i find less or just leave it for now thanks

[SantaMonica]

Leave for now

[dh2595]

i will leave it alone for now and ill be back thanks