Bored today and made an turf Algae scrubber

Mechano

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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
 
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Mechano

Mechano

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Checked up on the scrubber today diatoms growing so far so it is starting to grow stuff. No turf algae yet though
 

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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

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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.
 
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Mechano

Mechano

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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.
 
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Mechano

Mechano

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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

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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.
 
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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
 
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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
 

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Rappa

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I use the same lights on my diy ATS
451426086_451187507874857_868991763918814529_n.jpg


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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.
 

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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 .
 
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Let there be algae… updated version. Used an old EVO 5 g tank as the scrubber system. Works better than the acrylic ones dimensions.
 

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