making my first scrubber to replace skimmer!

[new2scrub]

ok i have a 45 gallon oceanic cube tank with a standard 10 gallon sump. here is my idea for my scrubber... it will be made from plastic canvas measuring aprox. 8" wide and 11" tall ,,basicly one full sheet suspended from a length of 3/4" pvc pipe with a 1/8" slot in it. i would like to run it off my return pump witch is a mag 9.5 (950gph) and is to much flow for my overflow anyhow.so i will just install a "T" and a valve. my overflow can only handle about 600gph so i have 350gph to spare for the ATS. i will light it with 2 clip-on droplights containing 34 watt cfl bulbs. sound good enough to replace my stupid skimmer???? please let me know if there are any issues with my design !!

[SantaMonica]

Sounds good

[new2scrub]

well after buying parts and taking a good look at my tiny sump it looks like the only way i can mount the scrubber is perpendicular to the length of the sump (like a baffle) . my sump is only 9.25" wide. so it looks like my algal mat can only be about 7" wide and 12" tall ,is this ok? and it will only be lit on one side with a 43 watt cfl,,is that ok? if not i can add a second light but it wont be easy due to lack of space. please inform me !

[new2scrub]

p.s. the scrubber will be hung in free air just above the sump with the bottom hanging into the water about an inch or 2 ,,will splashing /dripping be an issue? or should all the water fall straight down?

[new2scrub]

o yea! sry! lookws like i will be using a seperate pump as well , i can use the pump that was on my skimmer its a mag 5

[SantaMonica]

45 gal needs 45 square inches two-sided. One-sided needs twice this. 7 X 12 = 84 square inches, so this is good.

Strong filtering needs 1 watt per gallon, which you have.

As long as the screen touches the water below, it won't splash.

[new2scrub]

ok thanks just making sure. have you found a screw-in spot/flood cfl bulb that works best for my type of scrubber? right now i am using a year old cfl from my old fuge....

[SantaMonica]

Get a new bulb, 2700 or 3000K, and add a reflector.

[new2scrub]

k will do thanks,,,will keep you up 2 date on tank/scrubber

[srusso]

I am in the process of building mine as well. I got some "trouble lights" or utility lights... like the ones used in a auto shop that have a hook on top. I found these will require a lot less space then clip lights would. Because the light is mounted sideways I will have more room. This may help here... just going to be a little more work to get them to hang properly...

[new2scrub]

i had the room for the clip on drop light ,,but great idea!