Yep. If the slot does not help, the pump is only running about 1/3 speed.
So pretty easy fix. But as usual - lots of endless fiddling.
Type: Posts; User: rygh
Yep. If the slot does not help, the pump is only running about 1/3 speed.
So pretty easy fix. But as usual - lots of endless fiddling.
Growing fairly well now.
But still a lot of brown algae. The nice hair algae is rather slowly taking over.
One issue is the the clips to hold the screen to the pipe seem to mess up the flow more...
Fun spreadsheet!
An interesting addition would be to add a few driver current selections into LEDs.
For example, 700 mA driver and 350 mA drivers.
Also, a "3 watt" LED is not particularly...
Well, it was tricky, since the LEDs are down inside the box. So I figured just make it big.
And those were cheap surplus anyway.
screen after 2 days.
It was seeded though, from rubbing it with scrapings from old scrubber.
pictures 2
Pictures 1
Ok, all done. :-)
Special kudos to Bud (Floyd R Turbo).
I ended up buying his LED boards, and they work great !!!!
Saved a ton of time, and a good deal.
Quick summary:
Normal waterfall...
The thread is a bit old, but I was wondering how you liked those LED modules??
I have been thinking of using them for my new scrubber.
Yes, both Mouser and Cutter sell them, with no minimums.
Mouser is currently $12.60 for F1 type, qty 1.
Cutter is slightly cheaper, but international shipping.
I am having trouble making a decision. Any advice???
Option 1 gives the cleanest and best spectrum, but is really overkill for algae.
Option 2 is very powerful and efficient, especially with the...
Found it. Nice!!
Cool.
No, I have not seen details on it. Link? You have a ton of threads (and multiple sites).
Anyone have any experience with these LEDs????
http://www.illumitex.com/led-horticulture-fixtures/eclipse/
Seems really good. Nice mix of spectra. Would save a lot of wiring.
Also very nice...
The main box is done.
And painted. To keep light spill down a bit.
LED CHOICE (always a fun topic)
As reference, the screen is 11" x 11", so 121 sq inches.
Double sided old fashioned waterfall type.
Lighting planned:
Driver = Meanwell LPC-60-1050...
Just thought I would post a picture of my main tank, to go with the thread.
It is about 240G, mixed reef, but more emphasis on softies, less SPS.
Hardly a spec of green algae in it! Although I have...
Design drawing, side view.
This shows the box, and how it fits down in the sump.
Central box for screen. Screen just touches water in sump, so less splash.
Side boxes, sealed at bottom, open at...
Thanks.
It is amazing how much of an annoyance it is to try to work on equipment, sumps, and such when you cannot kneel down.
Yes.
The concept is to reduce the pump flow a bit if the lights are off.
It needs enough flow to keep algae wet, but not that much more.
Perhaps cutting the pump rate in half.
That would result...
I am back.
Knee injury, then some big plumbing problems in the tank. A new scrubber was much lower priority.
Some quick pictures of the new build.
First, most of the box, taped together.
Then...
A few months ago, my scrubber pump jammed without me noticing, and scrubber died.
So my tank went from good scrubber, to no scrubber, to recovering scrubber, and eventually back to good scrubber.
I...
Yes, you really have to wonder. I wish I had time for more experimentation like before.
(For discussion I included the old chlorophyll spectrum that includes the various cartinoids)
Those extra...
Good to know!
Never thought about simply removing them later.
Ideal might be to have lots of LEDs running at a lower current. But that is a royal pain to build, and gets expensive.
Just an FYI...
I have been using diamond diffuser panels on my LED system to spread out the light.
Those panels are to diffuse flourescent lights. They are flat on one side, and have a rough diamond like pattern...
Looking like a lot better mix of screen area/lighting! I think it will work a lot better.
Ideal would be to cut the middle out of that tank, and glue the sides back together.
So your new tank...
Once I started drawing everything, it quickly turned into a big mess.
Violating the old "Keep It Simple Stupid" principle.
So the latest plan is to just have a separate pump, internal to sump,...
Very interesting data about the bubbles showing better growth. I had been thinking of experimenting with that a while back,
but never had the time.
Two smaller scrubbers is an interesting...
Yeah, I probably will.
Otherwise the plumbing becomes an endless mess. And risking tank overflow inside the house is really bad.
Plus a dedicated pump means I can have pressure in the slot, like...
This build has really stalled.
The problem is the plumbing. Very frustrating.
My main tank is in the family room, and sump is in the garage, so drains have a long distance.
Before, the drains...
I just figured out what you meant by Steve's LEDs. I had assumed it was a thread on these forums.
Glad I have not ordered the electronics yet.
So here is the latest plan.
A few tweaks. One less white.
I really want to try passive cooling.
Each side is 20 Watts, but probably less than 10 of that is thermal.
The idea is to mount...
Digi-Key has the Nuventix cooling thingamajigs. About $20.
Intriguing.
Oops : Actually no, my lighting based on feed rate is about right.
My lighting based on screen size is off.
Basically - screen is too large.
But of course it works.
I get 1/3 inch or so per week,...
Wow, that is a very different number from what I have. But you did say max.
So 6W total for 4 sq in. = 420W for 280 sq in.
I have 1/9 that, with diffusion grid.
I realized I calculated the...
Good to hear.
The size change is mostly to make it fit in the sump. But from pictures, my growth is not as long,
so pretty clearly over-sized.
I do hope to eliminate the diffusion grid. I am...
So what size to make it??
* My estimate of peak feeding:
Roughly 4 cubes per day.
Plus roughly 8 pinches of flake per day.
Plus about 6 inches of dried seaweed per day.
* From the new sizing...
Very good idea. I had not thought of a remote fan on a hose, That solves they key issue.
To take it further : I need standoff supports in the LED box, so that the box does not collapse if it ends...
I definitely need something.
But fans are out.
I will probably mount all the LEDs on a flat aluminum plate like the previous ones.
I may then extend the plate up, and put some big heat sinks on...
Anything brand new in LEDs these days???
My current leaning:
I will have a single Mean Well LPC-60-1050 constant current driver.
It will drive two strings in parallel. One string for each side...
Here is the basic idea. Side view.
Water comes in from main tank, down into sump, up through scrubber, to main pipe with slot.
Screens are just touching the water.
LEDs on each side.
The LEDS...
Time to upgrade again.
I am actually pretty happy with my current one, but after a few years now,
there are a couple of things I want to change.
1) Use the water coming from main tank to sump,...
I use that tester, and like it.
Results vary a bit, but not badly. No surprise, reading such a low value.
Note that for the normal phosphate PO4 values, you need to take the phosphorous pbb, and...
Hope so.
I might replace one of the screens.
I have been thinking of doing that anyway, since it broke a bit on the top at the attachment point.
I am still having phosphate issues after the pump-failure-death I had. (mentioned above)
The screen is growing strong, but phosphates just will not go down.
They are not horrible. (around 25 ppb...
Well, a bit of a setback a couple of weeks ago.
My pump died and I did not notice.
So the screen really dried out. Probably only 2 days, so not all dead, but mostly.
Cleaned it off pretty well....
Yeah O2 might not make sense.
The thing is - other than a gas, little else makes sense for a 5 minute reaction.
But thinking more, those symptoms really match carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide...
My guess : You are very low on oxygen in the tank to begin with, and when you remove the scrubber,
you stop all flow of O2 into the tank. (both from scrubber, and possibly skimmer)
Plus, various...
Decided not to bother.
Growth is really not an issue. With nitrates + phosphates at zero, and no algae, not sure what it would help.
It is pretty over-sized.
Pretty sure it is nutrient limited....
Well, it has been over two years since I started this thread.
I am now happy to say - Scrubbers are boring.
They simply work. Yawn.
It is interesting about all the new goings-on on the forums...