Algae Scrubber

[Drdavis]

I have been running a large algae scrubber for about three weeks now and a friend of mine asked me if I could post the details so here it goes.  

 

I have a major hair algae problem in my DT and in the past I have had great luck in running a small algae scrubber on my tank so I thought I would try it on a much larger scale in my 500 gallon system.  

 

I purchased a piece of craft fabric from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Darice-27093252-Plastic-Canvas-12x18-Clear/dp/B0018N26NC/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1489360445&sr=8-13&keywords=plastic+mesh

 

I threw this sheet of canvas where I knew it would start gathering some algae on it so as you see it come together that is why it already has algae on it.  

 

 

 

I also purchased a hydroponic LED that would promote the growth of the Algae: https://www.amazon.com/BEAMNOVA-Spectrum-Greenhouse-Hydroponic-Flowering/dp/B01FHDCT94/ref=sr_1_18?ie=UTF8&qid=1489360738&sr=8-18&keywords=hydroponic+led

 

I teed off a part of the water coming from my return pump and have a portion of the water going to the 50 gallon refugium to feed the algae scrubber.  In the first picture you can see the union used to connect it in the lower right.  

 

Here is everything in the sump. 

 

 

For my 60 gallon tank I built a smaller version of an Algae Scrubber from the King of DIY design:

 

Here are my pictures:

 

I hope this post will help someone start a DIY project of their own.  I have many more that I have worked on it just takes a while to trim all of my pictures to post here. 

 

 

 

 

[WheresTheReef]

Have you considered mounting the LED long ways up/down to get more vertical lighting on the screen?

[Drdavis]

I just made that adjustment yesterday. I am also considering adding plexi or some form of plastic to keep the side spray down plus it would let me move the light closer.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[marshallannie]

I have been looking into more natural ways to deal with algae and I found this guide that includes the right type of lighting and even extracts to combat/control algae  (attached as well)

How to get rid of algae in hydroponics.pdf