algae scrubber alternative?

FraggledRock · 02/09/2015, 12:14 PM

So about 3 weeks ago i was just doing maintenance on my sumop and i saw that my drain lines has a lot of bubbles flowing in which i presume is normal drainage operation.

I didn't think of this as nuissance, however i tried utilizing it to my advantage.

I went and bought the typical mesh screens that people use in their scrubbers and zip tied it to a pvc pipe and let is hang in the way of the drain flow where the bubbles would interact with the mesh screen.

its been about 3 weeks and I am starting to get some coloration on the mesh.

albeit I DON'T have direct light on it since it was a simple experiement but it seems to be starting to what we know as "ALGAE SCRUBBING"

I am thinking of getting a nice light directed on to it and see if that helps make the algae take off on the screen.

I figured I would share this experiment and see if anyone has any ideas on how to make it better?

thanks!

02/09/2015, 12:14 PM	#1
FraggledRock Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: New York, New York Posts: 2,185	algae scrubber alternative? So about 3 weeks ago i was just doing maintenance on my sumop and i saw that my drain lines has a lot of bubbles flowing in which i presume is normal drainage operation. I didn't think of this as nuissance, however i tried utilizing it to my advantage. I went and bought the typical mesh screens that people use in their scrubbers and zip tied it to a pvc pipe and let is hang in the way of the drain flow where the bubbles would interact with the mesh screen. its been about 3 weeks and I am starting to get some coloration on the mesh. albeit I DON'T have direct light on it since it was a simple experiement but it seems to be starting to what we know as "ALGAE SCRUBBING" I am thinking of getting a nice light directed on to it and see if that helps make the algae take off on the screen. I figured I would share this experiment and see if anyone has any ideas on how to make it better? thanks! __________________ “For most of history, man has had to fight nature to survive; in this century he is beginning to realize that, in order to survive, he must protect it.”― Jacques-Yves Cousteau MarineBio.org Current Tank Info: 40 Gallon Breeder w/ Bean Animal Overflow 20G Sump, Mixed Reef.