Bored today and made an turf Algae scrubber

Mechano

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Mar 3, 2023
Messages
381
Reaction score
289
Location
London
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Was bored today and decided to clean up the fish room and figured today was a good day to finally make one of these turf algae scrubbers to try out.
Nothing pretty, but gets the job done. Didn’t spend no money on this, it’s just stuff I’ve had kicking around for years (plumbing, fittings, pumps, light etc.

Interested to see how it performs

IMG_2772.jpeg IMG_2773.jpeg IMG_2774.jpeg
 
OP
OP
Mechano

Mechano

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Mar 3, 2023
Messages
381
Reaction score
289
Location
London
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Checked up on the scrubber today diatoms growing so far so it is starting to grow stuff. No turf algae yet though
 

Rp8

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
May 24, 2020
Messages
1,423
Reaction score
2,303
Location
Cajun country
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Was bored today and decided to clean up the fish room and figured today was a good day to finally make one of these turf algae scrubbers to try out.
Nothing pretty, but gets the job done. Didn’t spend no money on this, it’s just stuff I’ve had kicking around for years (plumbing, fittings, pumps, light etc.

Interested to see how it performs

IMG_2772.jpeg IMG_2773.jpeg IMG_2774.jpeg

What kinda box did you use? Got any drawings or plans you can share? I picked up this light to diy one
IMG_1911.png
 

kdx7214

Well-Known Member
View Badges
Joined
Jan 5, 2020
Messages
830
Reaction score
725
Location
Columbia, MO, US
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I've been looking into this for a couple of days now as well. Thinking of using a cheap black trash can from Walmart for the box. Just turn it upside down so water flows into the sump, cut out a square for a light, and drill some holes for the pipes. Not 100% sure about it though as that would make cleaning a PITA.
 
OP
OP
Mechano

Mechano

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Mar 3, 2023
Messages
381
Reaction score
289
Location
London
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
What kinda box did you use? Got any drawings or plans you can share? I picked up this light to diy one
IMG_1911.png
That’s the exact light actually. Completely forgot the brand, you just refreshed my memory haha.

I used a 2.5L dosing container I had kicking around to make the box.
 
OP
OP
Mechano

Mechano

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Mar 3, 2023
Messages
381
Reaction score
289
Location
London
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I've been looking into this for a couple of days now as well. Thinking of using a cheap black trash can from Walmart for the box. Just turn it upside down so water flows into the sump, cut out a square for a light, and drill some holes for the pipes. Not 100% sure about it though as that would make cleaning a PITA.
Seems like it would be too large that way.
I would just look for a small tote or acrylic box or even a small aquarium and paint it black maybe ?
 

kdx7214

Well-Known Member
View Badges
Joined
Jan 5, 2020
Messages
830
Reaction score
725
Location
Columbia, MO, US
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Seems like it would be too large that way.
I would just look for a small tote or acrylic box or even a small aquarium and paint it black maybe ?

I found a 2 gallon black trash can at WalMart that is rectangular and looks like it would work quite well. Just not sure how to go about making cleaning easier. Alas I'm working on a tight budget and the acrylic boxes I've found were just too expensive--at least the ones around here. I didn't check online places as you never know what you are actually getting until it's too late.

I've got a 75g tank and a 40g sump (with maybe 20g of that in use). If the calculations I've seen online are correct I need about a 12" x 12" screen. Still not quite sure how I'm going to fit something that large in the sump. Might have to make a separate unit outside the tank.
 
OP
OP
Mechano

Mechano

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Mar 3, 2023
Messages
381
Reaction score
289
Location
London
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I found a 2 gallon black trash can at WalMart that is rectangular and looks like it would work quite well. Just not sure how to go about making cleaning easier. Alas I'm working on a tight budget and the acrylic boxes I've found were just too expensive--at least the ones around here. I didn't check online places as you never know what you are actually getting until it's too late.

I've got a 75g tank and a 40g sump (with maybe 20g of that in use). If the calculations I've seen online are correct I need about a 12" x 12" screen. Still not quite sure how I'm going to fit something that large in the sump. Might have to make a separate unit outside the tank.
Yeah that’s the kicker. They do take up room for sure
 
OP
OP
Mechano

Mechano

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Mar 3, 2023
Messages
381
Reaction score
289
Location
London
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
There is growth….imagine what my Tangs are thinking not being able to eat it haha

Sorry for the crappy pic but you guys get the idea
 

Attachments

  • IMG_2902.jpeg
    IMG_2902.jpeg
    281.8 KB · Views: 37

Rappa

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Feb 14, 2023
Messages
323
Reaction score
361
Location
Tewksbury, MA
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I use the same lights on my diy ATS
451426086_451187507874857_868991763918814529_n.jpg


451495710_1914583865630458_4550982130773876546_n.jpg

Nice job I really like what you did here! Did you design that yourself or follow a drawing/plan? How much $ do you have into it? Have you harvested yet? I'm interested in building something just like this.
 

brooksdw

Community Member
View Badges
Joined
Nov 23, 2020
Messages
38
Reaction score
43
Location
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I designed it on solidworks and cut all parts on a laser cutter. all the acrylic I used was scrap cutoffs from a sign company my wife works for. anyone wants the dxf files send me a message .
 
OP
OP
Mechano

Mechano

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Mar 3, 2023
Messages
381
Reaction score
289
Location
London
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Let there be algae… updated version. Used an old EVO 5 g tank as the scrubber system. Works better than the acrylic ones dimensions.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_3456.jpeg
    IMG_3456.jpeg
    204.8 KB · Views: 29
Back
Top