Algae Scrubber

xxjt2oxx · 02/09/2014, 11:36 PM

Hey all,

New to the forum, and only 1 week into my first saltwater tank - currently going through my cycle. Coming from almost 10 years in the freshwater community, I don't have any sump equipment, I'm not too anxious to get into it and I understand what that means.

That being said, I still want some of the benefitsI can get out of a sump. I've designed this hang on back algae scrubber as a start, what do you guys think in terms of effectiveness/design? Would I be better off just going bigger and doing a full refugium? Either way it will be a hang on unit, similar to the CPR Aquafuge. I attached pictures which are kind of my notes, definitely not finalized.

Couple Notes

In terms of lighting, how hot do LEDs generally run? Can I put strips directly on the acrylic?
Both pipes will be threaded going into the container, so that all plumbing is removable/replaceable.
Pump is a Hydor Centrifical 100
Looking for suggestions for an air pump.

Thanks,
Justin

Blown 346 · 02/09/2014, 11:45 PM

I would think that would work great. A fuge is basically used as a sort of algae scrubber, as the algae will grow in there as well as any chaeto etc.

By having light on the algae scrubber itself that will collect 90% of the nutrients, the scrubber might take away the nutrients to grow macro algae like Chaeto etc. If you are only going to use the fuge for your scrubber than your golden.

LEDs dont run hot. They can be warm, but not hot enough to burn you for the wattage needed to grow algae. I dont see why you wouldnt be able to put the LED strips on the acrylic.

Honestly any old air pump will work as long as the air bubble are being dispersed evenly throughout the scrubber. I have always found it best to not go crazy with the air pressure, but use a medium bubble rate with it to get the best results.

BCool · 02/10/2014, 12:26 AM

I run a scrubber on my overflow without a sump. It is my sole filtration and it works great.

BigCountry74 · 02/10/2014, 09:48 AM

They are fun/cheap/easy to make. You do not need LED unless you just want to spend the money. A cheap clip on light and flood bulb work just fine.

02/10/2014, 12:26 AM	#3
BCool Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Lincoln, CA Posts: 274	I run a scrubber on my overflow without a sump. It is my sole filtration and it works great. __________________ Brian Cooley Current Tank Info: 26"x26"x18" BB Cube w\ats and led, 12g Nano Cube

02/10/2014, 09:48 AM	#4
BigCountry74 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 1,761	They are fun/cheap/easy to make. You do not need LED unless you just want to spend the money. A cheap clip on light and flood bulb work just fine. __________________ 135g mixed reef (retired) http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2132815 Current 40g reef http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2483250 Current Tank Info: 40g bare bottom reef

02/09/2014, 11:45 PM	#2
Blown 346 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Rockford, Illinois Posts: 6,596	I would think that would work great. A fuge is basically used as a sort of algae scrubber, as the algae will grow in there as well as any chaeto etc. By having light on the algae scrubber itself that will collect 90% of the nutrients, the scrubber might take away the nutrients to grow macro algae like Chaeto etc. If you are only going to use the fuge for your scrubber than your golden. LEDs dont run hot. They can be warm, but not hot enough to burn you for the wattage needed to grow algae. I dont see why you wouldnt be able to put the LED strips on the acrylic. Honestly any old air pump will work as long as the air bubble are being dispersed evenly throughout the scrubber. I have always found it best to not go crazy with the air pressure, but use a medium bubble rate with it to get the best results.