just built my scrubber, comments please

[jdl]

About right. You might want to seal up those bulbs so salt does not get inside.

Electrical Safety: Be sure to seal your bulbs and connections with aquarium-safe silicone or sealant, especially if the bulb is down inside the sump. You can't see it, but there will be tiny amounts of salt spray that will build up where you screw the bulb in, and also where you made electrical connections. When the buildup gets thick enough, it will short out and blow a fuse. So each time you replace a bulb, re-seal it. You should be able to pour water over it without it causing a problem.

then just cut it out to unscrew the bulb every 3 months for new bulbs and reseal?

[SantaMonica]

Yep. Or use that expanding-foam sealant that is used for windows. You can unscrew the bulb right out of it.

[jdl]

minor update with pics

[SantaMonica]

Are you not turning the light off for 6 hours a day? The bald spot in the center is caused by going 24 hours.

[jdl]

yes it is on a timer. on from 12am to 2pm

[SantaMonica]

Can you get more flow then?

[jdl]

possibly. I am using one of two overflows. I can get more flow a few ways.

1. have 2 return pumps instead of 1
2. plumb in another pump just into the scrubber section.


will play with option #2 first sometime this week

[SantaMonica]

Maybe the screen is not bald in the middle... can you post pics with the light off?

[jdl]

i cleaned it off since the pics. I'll post again in a few days without the lights on.

plus i am getting new lights this week.


the good news is my tank has no algae anywhere in the tank. My front glass never has anything on it. So i do believe the scrubber is working. Since my tank is somewhat new i didnt have any hair algae issues to cleanup so i cant say it cleaned up my issues since i never had any issues.

[worley]

Not sure if you meant "a few days with the lights off", but make sure they're not off all the time! They should be off for 6 hours a day and on for 18.