Looking For Algae Scrubber

[stellarfly]

Hi fellow reefers,

I am currently looking for the Santa Monica Algae Scrubber (SM100) I love the idea of using a scrubber for filtration. Does anyone in Edmonton have that product. I know that they are currently working on a new model. Looking for the original model made of acrylic with t5's clamped to either side.

Let me know if anyone even has one in Edmonton.

[reefme]

I have two halfway built. If you interested I can sell it to you.
Please pm.

[Rusty dog]

I built my own scrubber and it works great

[warriorcookie]

The new design got released a few days ago. Supposed to be more effective, cheaper and easier to build...

[troni]

does anybody use a skimmer with it?
does it stink?

[warriorcookie]

does anybody use a skimmer with it?
does it stink?

Probably the 2 most common questions. Most start using both skimmer and scrubber, but end up shutting the skimmer down when they realize how well the scrubber works.

The scrubber smells a little the first few weeks while growing brown. Once they start growing green they smell fresh, like the ocean.

[troni]

good news! how come more people dont use them?

[reefwars]

good news! how come more people dont use them?



most people dont have the patience to set one up properly and let it mature.people expect it to work within the first week when fact of the matter is it takes time for it to fully mature.

if you dont have nutrients to begin with then the scrubber will take along time to maure, if you have too much nutrients it will need a bit more cleaning.

it also needs to be cleaned every week or 2 or its purpose is useless as you need to remove some of the nutrients it aquires same as cheato:)


once it starts to mature you really need to feed it ive upped my feedings by more than double and it grows a sheet weekly.

i also run 2 skimmers and gfo through a reactor and it does not inhibit my growth.

[Edmonton newbie]

i took a blind faith leap when i set mine up and took my skimmer offline as i set up the scrubber, works great and i dont miss the skimmer at all. i have perfect water quality now just have to dial in my dosing pump to lower my alk as i only do water changes now every couple months

[Rusty dog]

I still run my skimmer as well as my scrubber

[Ginu]

I have to apologize but can anyone post a link to something like this? It sounds interesting and I'm always for the DIY things.

[reefwars]

I have to apologize but can anyone post a link to something like this? It sounds interesting and I'm always for the DIY things.


http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=82248&highlight=algae+scrubber



http://algaescrubber.net/forums/


http://www.livingreefs.com/build-algae-scrubber-t32422.html


here ya go lots of good reading there, the last one is a step by step diy:)

[troni]

most people dont have the patience to set one up properly and let it mature.people expect it to work within the first week when fact of the matter is it takes time for it to fully mature.

if you dont have nutrients to begin with then the scrubber will take along time to maure, if you have too much nutrients it will need a bit more cleaning.

it also needs to be cleaned every week or 2 or its purpose is useless as you need to remove some of the nutrients it aquires same as cheato:)


once it starts to mature you really need to feed it ive upped my feedings by more than double and it grows a sheet weekly.

i also run 2 skimmers and gfo through a reactor and it does not inhibit my growth.

how do you clean it? ive seen someone remove 1/4 every week.

[reefwars]

how do you clean it? ive seen someone remove 1/4 every week.


i take it out and rinse in the bathtub with the shower nozzle i just brush my hands across the screen , i leave a bit for re-groth:) its very simple:)

[troni]

So you don't actually remove any

[reefwars]

So you don't actually remove any


sure you do , the algae is held on to the hooks kinda like velcro is, if you rub your hand across it under water you can remove some, some of it is on there better and needs a good scraping or shaking of the mat.ditrius and other particles also get absorbed into the mats so cleaning it also removes this.

when i clean it im not looking to make it spotless just remove the bulk and keep it growing at the same time:)

[RuGlu6]

Here is one i dont know how good it will work but idea is the same
It has a tube for easy water supply so nothing special needs to be build
http://www.reefshops.com/images/detailed/T1c3qoXgleXXab2DQ9_104702.jpg
Has a bracket and it is adjustable lengthwise
http://www.reefshops.com/images/detailed/T2gtRYXd8XXXXXXXXX_!!52583448.jpg
.
http://www.reefshops.com/images/detailed/113202971834eb222df23800.jpg
.
http://www.reefshops.com/images/detailed/T2l.0YXcVcXXXXXXXX_!!52583448.jpg

it is $30 plus shipping ($?) from China.
http://www.reefshops.com/algae-turf-scrubbers-ats-filter.html

[tang daddy]

I have to apologize but can anyone post a link to something like this? It sounds interesting and I'm always for the DIY things.

I built an algae scrubber from stuff at the dollar store, michaels, industrial plastics and home depot. Easy but abit of running around, you're welcome to stop by and see it if interested. It pulls 1.5" mats of hair algae every 3weeks....

[warriorcookie]

http://algaescrubber.net

Check out the new one that just got released a week ago. You don't need a fancy box anymore or even a water pump. Now all you need is an air pump, air stone, some zip ties, white mesh screen (from Michael's) and a light.


Reefwars, how old is the one you built? They re-did the sizing guidelines. The size was changed to being based on how much you feed, not the size of the tank. In the end, most scrubbers are a lot smaller now.

Ruglu6, that looks like a horizontal scrubber. They work ok... A vertical scrubber is much more effective though.

[troni]

i have all material for upflow scrubber so i think im going to try it but my only concern is im going to get alot of salt creep with all the bubbles

[reefwars]

Reefwars, how old is the one you built? They re-did the sizing guidelines. The size was changed to being based on how much you feed, not the size of the tank. In the end, most scrubbers are a lot smaller now.




mines about 2 mths old, built it my self from home depot cost was around 50-70$ for everything.

i have a fairly large sheet, but since adding the scrubber i feed the equivelent of 4 cubes of frozen food, a coffee mug of liquid food and some pellets throughout the day......couldnt do that before the scrubber.

also my nitrates used to be huge because of the feedings, and now they sit at 10ppm(tested last night for the first time in a month)

[mess7777]

The most expensive part is the lighting, everything else costs very little. And by expensive I mean relative to the other equipment for the build.

$20 each for the light fixture+reflector. Maybe $20 for everything else(PVC, screen).

I installed one about 5 weeks ago, POD growth exploded and although I haven't seen significant nutrient decreases yet, the screen continues to mature each week. I suspect within a few more weeks I will see my N and P start to come down.

As for the new design, there are a lot of kinks to work out in my opinion, and the waterfall design is actually easier(again in my opinion).


Here is a video to show the crazy amount of PODS as well as the ATS running.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/_Z1Pr8dWurQ

[reefme]

I have a few light fixtures+reflectors. If you interested please PM. Local only please.