Snow Day Project: DIY Turf Scrubber

Neil Cohen · Jan 29, 2022

After reading a million posts here, I am trying my hand at a turf scrubber. Cobbling together ideas from other reefers, I decided to convert the skimmer sock area and try to maximize surface area. Using waterproof LEDs and boat load of hot glue, I came up with the following design. I post every few days, successes and failures. Let me know if you see anything disastrous looming. Thanks

Cut knitting mesh to make 6 of these “t” shaped grow areas. Hot glued the bottom to the top. I also ran a strip of glue along the long sides of the top pieces, which allowed a channel to form with the water. This helped to fill the top piece and make the flow down the mat better distributed.

For the lighting, I bought 16 feet of AveyLum Plant Grow Light Strip 5050 (Red Blue 4:1) Amazon product , which was recommended in another post. To light the area, I created “fingers” that are double sided. This was, in part, to avoid cutting the strip that would be in the water. Waterproofed or not, any cuts are potential problems. I reinforced the structure with knitting plastic.

Here’s the assembly. I had to cut notches for the lights to drop through. If it works, I have a few enhancements that will make it a little more aesthetically pleasing and longer lasting. Try to take better pictures later.

Top down in the sock holes

Sideview of the turf mats and lights

KrisReef · Jan 29, 2022

won't the algae grow directy on the lights and shade the rest of the plastic mat? (Just trying to help. Cool diy. I'm too lazy)

Neil Cohen · Jan 29, 2022

Guess we’ll see. The surface of the lights is smooth, so harder to grow algae on Not that different from designs that have the light outside the sump or hang on basket, the algae could crow on the glass, right. But I guess thats the idea, growing it.