New attempt - Version 3

[SantaMonica]

The foil would line the inside of the wall and lid. Or you could just get reflectors.

[mikepao13]

Thanks i will try that.

I will leave it as is for a couple of weeks, make two cleanings and see the progress.

Is it always necessary to add iron for the algae?

[SantaMonica]

Only if yellow, and if you can't increase flow.

[mikepao13]

Thanks.

Today its the 4th day and ill keep you upadated.

[Floyd R Turbo]

+1 on iron if yellow and low flow. Here's mine at the end of week 3 (ready for 3rd cleaning) I have to redo the slot tube, I have a flow issue with the pump related to the return hose so right now I have to deal with it and do iron dosing until I have time to fix the problem.



Yours looks pretty powerful. Make sure that clear box is watertight. On mine

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=743

I only have 2" of 'reservoir' at the bottom and had to add a 2nd drain or else it would have probably overflowed by now. Today I noticed that the algae is growing under the water line in the box and slowing the flow - like the 3D growth SM gets in his after 2 weeks! Pretty sweet, so I know it's working but probably not a 'full strength'. If my pump fix doesn't work I'll have to scale the screen size back.

This was my first attempt too. It's a little more complicated than I thought. But we're all learning!

[mikepao13]

Hi guys,

since the first day of my ats, 28/10/2010, i have made four cleanings

pics below only from first two cleanings, but on other two algae coloure and grow was almast the same

this is week one
[attachment=1:bl7j9rtb]1st.jpg[/attachment:bl7j9rtb]

below second cleaning
[attachment=0:bl7j9rtb]2nd.jpg[/attachment:bl7j9rtb]

now the screen is due for the 5th cleaning. The algae is too dark, is anything i need to change?
i'm thinking to wide the slot cos is not even 3mm wide, even smaller in some spots.
Another problem is that the inside "clear" acrylic box, cannot be removed from the big black one because the acrylic bend from the heat!!!!! and i have issues cleaning the inside. Not because is small, but because the water level remains to 1cm and if i try and clean/rub the dirty slimy stuff, everything will end up in the sump below, except if i use a womens tightsox around the drain pipe to collect all the s%^&.

Please comment and advise.

Thanks.

[SantaMonica]

You could put a steel bar across the black box, to keep it spread apart. Then you can remove the clear inside box to clean the bottom.

Otherwise it seems fine. Don't worry about the slot. After another few cleanings it should start turning green.

[mikepao13]

Thanks for your comments and advice.

So, not to worry much for the cleaning of the box, i can clean inside with a spoon and kitchen towel.

As for the slot, shall i leave as is for a couple of more cleanings and see the progress? Do you think i will need a iron supplement?

[SantaMonica]

Iron is only needed if it is yellow and you cannot increase flow.

Leave it.

[mikepao13]

Thanks SM

i will update soon.