Speed drain-fed scrubber

[MorganAtlanta]

Put a screen over your intake in the overflow box. Also, if you use the "no slot alternative" method for hanging the screen, there is less chance of getting a clog that backs up flow. The main reason I started using the "no slot alternative" is that growth would get in the slot and slow the flow. That wasn't really a problem, except that it threw off the balance of my 'herbie" drain set up and I would get too much water going through the emergency drain. I had no problems with the "no slot alternative".

[Amphiprion]

Here is how I do it to avoid clogging/overflowing of the tank using an ATS fed via the overflow. Nice to see my 'mentor' over here.

Good to see you here, too. I can pick your brain, since you've now been using scrubbers longer than I have (and done much more with them, at that).

So in the video, you've basically set up a loop to bleed off any excess water? If so, that's the elegantly simple answer I was looking for.

I read the no slot alternative thread, but I'm trying to get a better grasp of what exactly it entails. Could either you or morgan elaborate on that, please?

[Ace25]

The pipe for the screen/overflow on my setup is 1-1/2". At the end of the pipe I use a 1-1/2 to 1" reducer. Since it is a baffle in the sump I have a bulkhead on it, but that isn't needed. I then use 1" PVC, go up 6" and back down to the sump. When I hear gurgling coming from the pipe, I know my screen slot is clogged. It has worked perfect for me and I have zero concern about my overflow/ATS combo causing any issues. Having it go up 6" puts pressure on the slot as well which helps clean the slot some, and since it is well below the overflow box it still drains fine if the slot gets clogged.

I will let Morgan explain the no slot as that is his own idea that we have dubbed the 'MorganAtlanta method'.

[wspepsilon]

So I've got a question. Looks like this is a new build but you're going with a waterfall design? I was under the impression that the newer upflow algae scrubber (UAS) types were now the way to go as they are cheap, easier to build, easier to incorporate into your flow, and just as effective. Are these all true assumptions? If so what are the benefits of going with this slot waterfall method over a UAS?

[wspepsilon]

Should be easier to clean too if built right...

[Ace25]

My opinion, those are false on ALL accounts. UAS are not cheaper, easier, and they don't work as well as the waterfall method. Waterfall method has years of testing/tweaking to make them work as well as they do, the UAS doesn't have that, and in turn it is my belief (from my own testing and others) that at this time they don't function nearly as well. That could change in the future with more people testing/fixing the issues with them but for today I wouldn't recommend one unless you want to experiment and work out the bugs.

[Devs]

That sounds like a bit of a dig at the UAS's so here's my 2 penneth in favour of the UAS bearing in mind I'm no expert, it's just my opinion...

Just the theory/science behind the UAS suggest to me that a well designed and well built one will perform better.

The UAS I am building at the moment suggests that it will be considerably cheaper than a waterfall.

The one I am building as far as I can see will also be a lot simpler in its operation (Screen Cleaning).

It will only take up a small amount of room in the sump as opposed to needing more external space.

Yes it is going to need testing, but I don't see any flaws in my design as yet.

[Devs]

Also...

Hasn't someone on here already started to feed bubbles into their waterfall scrubber, a downflow upflow scrubber

I think it may be Garf ?

[Ace25]

Well, you see my video above. It is just a few pieces of PVC and a screen. 33 cents for the screen at my local fabric store and $2 worth of PVC parts, so less than $3 total. 2 small pieces of velcro to remove the screen to clean it.. couldn't be easier or cheaper.

[Garf]

Also...

Hasn't someone on here already started to feed bubbles into their waterfall scrubber, a downflow upflow scrubber

I think it may be Garf ?

Guilty, as charged