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Thread: Moving Bed & Algae Scrubber combo filter

  1. #11

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    Here I am, one week in:

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    Looks like the first cable tie at the input end is causing a water diversion. If this continues to be a bare area next weekend, I'll either replace it with a small tie or remove it entirely. After taking the above photos, I toothbrushed the screen on both sides.

  2. #12

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    Don't worry about it. It will eventually fill in. Just leave it be, if it's still a problem 2-3 months down the road, then you can modify it. Also be careful not to cinch the zip ties too tight which can cause the slot to pinch closed

  3. #13

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    Bacon

    Thanks! OK, I'll leave for now and see how it develops. I'm pretty happy there's as much growth over the first week.

  4. #14

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    2 weeks in:

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    Looks like Bacon was correct, the algae is spreading into the previously empty areas. Again, after making the photos I toothbrushed both sides of the screen. I think I'll let it grow for a couple weeks now without disturbing it.

  5. #15

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    3 weeks in:

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    I did nothing other than pull the screen for the photos.

    I noticed this past week that algae is showing up in the sponge pre-filter and its cover bag. I presume this is minute bits of algae that breaks off from the screen and ends up in the water tank. Is that something normal/usual? Thanks.

  6. #16

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    Aug01/15 water test results:

    pH: 7.0
    NH3/4: 0.0
    NO2: ~0.1 - 0.2
    NO3: ~80+
    PO3/4: 0.0

    I suspect a bit of nitrite is showing because I had the filter offline yesterday for several hours for some plumbing maintenance. Very interesting that the phosphate is 0.0. Hopefully, the algae will start eating the nitrates now!

  7. #17

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    4 weeks in, two weeks of growth:

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    I took a small harvest and will find out later if my turtles will eat it. Then I cleaned the screen thoroughly with a toothbrush. I brushed between the screen and the sides of the slot in the spray bar to make sure that is clear.

    Anyone know what's the yellow stuff?

  8. #18

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    You should never really "scrub" the screen with a brush, this just sets you back. I don't see anything yellow, or at least, not significant enough to be of concern.

    At this point you should scrape and rinse lightly, maybe rub with your palm or fingertips gently, and that's it.

    I never scrub a screen with a brush except where it is inserted into the slot.

  9. #19

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    Thank you very much. I'll follow you[r] instructions!
    Last edited by amwassil; 08-14-2015 at 03:38 PM.

  10. #20

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    5 weeks (minus a day), six days of growth. I've got a major plumbing project planned for tomorrow, so I checked/cleaned my scrubbers today instead.

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    Following Bacon's above advice, I cleaned both sides of the screen with a soft rubber spatula which worked well and left a nice layer of pale green on the screen. I also cleaned the spray bar slot with a toothbrush.

    It looks to me like this scrubber is well established. So I'm not going to post any more weekly photos unless someone thinks it's worthwhile doing so. I will post photos if anything unusual appears. I WILL post first-of-month water test results each month. I am very curious how long it will take for nitrates to get down to readable levels on the API test card!

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