Building an algae scrubber

[Partsman41953]

HI all,

I have been having a problem with algae in my 30 gallon fish with live rock and coral tank ever since it has been up and running, about 6 years now. I found this website and I am curious about how to build an algae scrubber. I do not have a sump on my tank. I am running a Rena Filstar XP1 filter and a Aqueon hang on filter. I am pretty handy with building things but cannot figure out how to go about building an algae scrubber without a sump.

If anyone has the step-by-step instructions to do so I would appreciate that information so I do not lose any more coral in my tank.

Thanks,

Glenn

[SantaMonica]

Simple fix. You just need to build a scrubber and set it above the tank:

http://www.radio-media.com/fish/SumplessFeed.jpg




The simplest and fairly effective is a horizontal screen. A smaller version of this:

http://www.radio-media.com/fish/UserSantaMonicaOnAS-1.jpg




....using a single CFL bulb on top, would work. A little more complex design would be a vertical:
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=523&start=10 (http://www.algaescrubber.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=523&start=10)

Look here for ideas:
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=26 (http://www.algaescrubber.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=26)

After you get it running, you can remove your other filters.

[Partsman41953]

Hi Santa Monica,

I am finally going to take the plunge and build an algae scrubber for my 28 gallon bow-style marine tank. Since I do not have a sump on this tank (1) where would you suggest I place the scrubber...above the tank or below it and my second question is what size scrubber should I build... size screen, pump size, and bulbs?

Thanks,

Glenn.

[SantaMonica]

Best is above it. See here for everything else: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=68 (http://www.algaescrubber.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=68)

[Partsman41953]

To make sure that I have all the info correct for my algae scrubber on my 30 gallon tank, which I plan to put above my tank since I do not have a sump, I would need the following:

(1) 6 x6 screen (plastic canvas or tank divider)
(2) Two 23 watt, 2700K bulbs
(3) pump with at least 210 gph flow

Please let me know if this is correct.

Thanks,

Glenn

[SantaMonica]

For a vertical, yes. That's a lot of light, though. two 13 watts bulbs would be fine.

[Partsman41953]

Hello,

I am looking for suggestions on how or actually where to put an algae scrubber on my 30 gallon, bow style, tank. Since I do not have a sump I understand I have to put it on top of the tank but with the Nova Extreme light which I have on top of the tank I really do not have room to put it on top of the tank unless it is hung on the side but what size screen and scrubber would I need to build? I really need to get this done as my tank is killing all the coral I have and I am not going to put any more coral in the tank unless the algae is under control.

I am open to any suggestions on what I can use to build this scrubber.

Thanks,

Glenn

[SantaMonica]

http://www.radio-media.com/fish/SumplessFeed.jpg