Light source suggestions

[kentth]

Other pictures
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Kent

[SantaMonica]

Nice acrylic build. You can see how much better growth is when light are near the screen.

You need to get the flow up; the algae is burned. Add some iron too.

Yes, lumens are important. The more the better, until you burn the algae.

[kentth]

SM thanks for the response.

I am planning on getting a larger pump tomorrow. Also ordering bulbs.
On http://www.1000bulbs.com/search/?filter[category]=3174&filter[color+temperature]=3000K
There are 4 possibilities at 3000K 2800, 2850, and 2 2900 lumens to choose from. I looks like they offer the same ones at 3500K. It is my understanding that the 3000K are the optimal. Which of the lumens would you suggest?

Kent

[SantaMonica]

Lowest K is best

[kentth]

total system has been up and running for one week now. Have both sides light using 37W U shaped CFL on both sides. Have re-plumbed system and gone from a Mag 3 to a Mag 9 pump. With head loss should put me with an outlook of about 660 GPH, problem I have is that my overflow box is only 7" wide, has 2-1" returns with full siphon on one and partial drain on other. Calculations tell me that the max GPH the overflow will handle is about 495 GPH. I am still tweaking the return to the ATS, so as to maximize the flow through it. Need to get another gate value so I can tweak the return flow to the tank, and there for the potential return flow.

Here are my first full weeks results:
Algad production 2 oz. did have some 3D growth on one side but not both.
NH3 .25
Nitrate 0
Nitrite 0
Calcium 440
Phosphate .5
Salinity 1.0225
PH 8.3
Temp 86

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Since adding the Mag 9, I have been having temperature problems, have added a fan to the system, which is helping. Turned it off today, which caused the raise in temp. This is first raise in NH3 since 5/28, Phosphate teeters between 0 and .5.

I may be able to tweak the flow a little greater, I could boost the iron. If I boost the iron how much do I had and at what level should the iron be at in the system. My LFS does not have an iron test kit, really would like to have a level to shot for or not to exceed.

Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Kent

[SantaMonica]

In SW I don't think you'll be able to measure any iron; it gets eaten right away.

Start with the recommended dose, and slowly increase until any yellow growth goes away. If you have no yellow growth, you probably don't need the iron.

[Floyd R Turbo]

Do you have crosscuts in the pipe? No crosscuts!!!

[kentth]

I added crosscuts the first of August. My original scrubber had them but I built this one I did not initially have them. When I added them I made them to large and had to reduce them.

Kent

[Floyd R Turbo]

What I was saying is that crosscuts are not recommended anymore, they don't allow pressure to build up in the pipe. Pressure prevents algae from growing into the slot. Crosscuts allow algae to grow into the slot resulting in sideways spray/squirting

[kentth]

Without the crosscuts, i had more flow at the water entry end of the pipe and a lot less at the end. The cross cuts helped to even it out. I am not having any issues with algae growing up in the slots, since the top section of the pipe is shaded from the light source.

Kent