My bucket v1.0

[chip]

This is my entrance into the scrubber world in a 5 gal bucket

any ideas or thoughts appreciated, this is for my gf's 75 gal med stocked reef tank, the screen is 7" x 10" with approx 240 gal/hour, lighting is 2x 23w CFL, 3300K
I am going to move the lights closer to the screen and make reflectors instead of relying on the aluminum foil currently in place, currently the lights are ~2.5 inches away
screen is a nice plastic type suggested here on ebay, roughed up nicely using the back side of a bread knife


http://www.nicesqueeze.com/imu/uploads/888


http://www.nicesqueeze.com/imu/uploads/889

24 hours
http://www.nicesqueeze.com/imu/uploads/890

48 hours
http://www.nicesqueeze.com/imu/uploads/891

72 hours
http://www.nicesqueeze.com/imu/uploads/892

[SantaMonica]

That's going to be a good scrubber.

[Gigaah]

Well constructed.

My suggestion is if your making a reflector.

Make it so the light from the end of the bulb is reflected forward towards the screen. A substantial portion of the bulbs output comes from the end of the bulb.
If you just shield the end of the bulb go with a higher wattage bulb. If you leave the end of the bulb unshielded significant algae growth will happen in the bottom of the bucket.
This has it pro's and cons. It creates a breeding ground for amphipods, but also I've had problems with green water because of it if I didn't clean the bucket every couple weeks.

If you don't start to grow green don't be shy about upgrading to 32w bulbs as long as its not rubbery yellow growth.

[criskamote]

nice scrubber!

function before fashion. bucket designs are never pretty, but serves its purpose well.

about those reflectors though, how about using mylar sheets or something similar?

[rygh]

Yes, aluminum and saltwater might be an issue. Best to use mylar.
I know there is a fun science experiment in using aluminum foil and salt water to create a battery.
Not really sure of the aquarium reaction, but probably not a good thing.

[chip]

Am def making reflectors this weekend, I have a design that will reflect light from bottom of lamps quite nicely using a couple of king cans, some cuts, tape, silicone and mylar (arizona ice tea too, was pretty good ;)

Thanks for the tip on aluminum foil, can I use the backside of the gift baloons, aren't those mylar? also, those brackets are aluminum, should I remove anything close to water, tape it up maybe? I can prolly cut that bracket higher and bend more and get a similar holding effect, it seems to want to turn easily so I need something to hold it level.

Also forgot to mention, one big thing I found was there's a difference between pvc 90 degree elbows.. some are quite restricting and some are wide open inside, this turned out to be the difference maker in the drainage issue i had, which allowed me to keep the bucket lower to run even drainage and run the pump more efficiently.

Here's an updated photo, 6 days of growth, can def see where reflectors would greatly assist, there's a bunch of green forming on the bottom, but looks promising overall....

thanks again for input, great help!

http://www.nicesqueeze.com/imu/uploads/896

[chip]

Thought I'd better stop in and say thanks!

June 5 2010
http://www.nicesqueeze.com/imu/uploads/1018

today

http://www.nicesqueeze.com/imu/uploads/1019

success!

[SantaMonica]

Awesome!

[spazthecat]

Hi,

I'm currently using a bucket design for my ats and was looking for ways to get the lighting down into the bucket and closer to the screen.

I was wondering where you got those light fixtures/sockets? Is that all one piece?

Do you have issues with the bulbs and sockets corroding or getting coated with salt from splashing or spray?

Thanks,

Andy

[mikepao13]

Hi

Nice results. Do you have a picture of the growth u get? Is the foil helping the light reflect on the screen?