DIY algae scrubber/reactor

@Armydog

 

Heres mine works great. I messed up putting the lights on but the macro doesn't care about it

 

I got it off of a facebook ad. But I heard you can get them at home depot. Its just a led strip lights with a remote

I did it this way because I didnt have room in my sump and It seems to be growing pretty fast.

I left the sponges in the reactor so the macro doesn't get into the sump

 

This is an interesting concept, and if nothing else it looks cool under the tank, i think i might have to try it

 

Has anybody ever used those lights on an algae scrubber?


Sent from my iPad via App

 

I changed the leds yesterday at about 2am to all on to see if what difference it would make with having all of the lights on before I left to work

Took this when I turned them all on

This was today about an hour ago

Im seeing good growth .

I would totally do the algae scrubber but it pulls out to much for zoas from what I have read and I like zoas, sps, and lps

If I saw a tank thread of a person with an algae scrubber and lots of zoas then I might consider that.

I personally did this cause I like making stuff and experimenting with new things. Also with my huge Skimz skimmer and avast large spyglass reactor I didnt have a place for an in sump fuge plus its cleaner in the sump

 

I used to have tons of zoos and lps with my algae scrubbed tank, they grew really well until I added a regal angel. It was so long ago the pics aren't on my device anymore.





Sent from my iPad via App

 

Do any of you think this would work using a BRS reactor (their single deluxe reactor which I used to use for GFO)? It's the only extra reactor I have laying around. Also, using the instructed maxijet 1200 pump to power the reactor with an attached ball valve, is it suggested to run it entirely open with optimal flow, or is it preferred to use medium or little flow? And lastly, do those strip led lights contain all red leds? Or are whites and/or blues advised? Thanks for the help! - Dustin

 

The led lights are all different colors you just choose which color you want with the remote you can see in the last picture I posted that its white.

You can try it with that reactor Im sure it would work but you may have to trim it more.

 

Are these for growing algae or time travel?

 

lol, dangerj. As far as which is more effecient, an algae scrubber has a larger surface area and can process more in a smaller space than macroalgae. The lights they recommend are red 660 nm and an occasional blue can be thrown in (420 nm?). You can find out more about these at algaescrubber.net. I don't know how they compare to turbo's but santa monica sells them or you can make one.

 

First pic August 13th

Second pic September 14th I decided to turn on all the lights a couple weeks ago and seeing better growth

 

Was planning on taking some out this weekend. Figured take it down to the golf ball size that I put in there.

This is my first time trimming it and I think with the change of lights I'll have to trim it sooner next time