Scrubbers that did NOT work thread?

[Expressions-LTD]

I was just suggesting a forum category just for what not to do with a scrubber, and I could post some of these things there, along with anyone else's failed attempts.

For the CO2, that's a thought. I was thinking about adding some fart valves (air traps and release vents) on the return before it gets to the scrubber to reduce the air, and then supply the scrubber with the air bubblers again. If it works, then I'd say its very likely you are right about that possibility of low CO2 in the return air.

Question: If low CO2 limits the growth, then a typical waterfall style scrubber box that is mostly sealed (not air tight though)... Is a few small gaps in the box enough to move the necessary air (with CO2) through for the algae?

[RkyRickstr]

Scrubbers that did not work for me:

My first scrubber I was running the lights 24/7. Fail

My second scrubber the screen was 28" x 14". Yup.. sized for like 10,000 cubes.. Fail

My third scrubber I was running only like 10gph per inch of screen.. fail.

Then I got it to start working and the only fail that I've had since then is the UAS which did not work for me.

[SantaMonica]

Could also try a venturi in the overflow.

A "sealed" waterfall box is not sealed at all, when it comes to vapor pressure.

[Expressions-LTD]

Found a video of the previous build that did work well. Perhaps you can see from it the difference in the air bubbles. The bubble wall tubes made very even, large bubbles. The current scrubber that's not growing has lots of much smaller air and a lot of turbulence.

[SantaMonica]

I do think that larger bubbles will generally work better.

[Expressions-LTD]

Although not necessarily in line with the subject I started this thread with... it appears that having a moving screen that can pass through the air, or closer to the lights, is a way to fix a failed scrubber (at least the way this one is configured). This is after a week of it being allowed to move (from the above vids).

[WannaRace]

What exactly do you mean and how did you have a moving screen?

Ah, UAS version..