Quick, simple turf scrubber

aquaknight

aquaknight

Active Member
Found a pump laying around yesterday, so decided to try a simple turf scrubber.
Pictures explain most of it. Drilled out a slot in the PVC with a dremel, then fishing line woven in the scrubber then pinched the extra line in the end cap, and slip-to-threaded adapter, it actually goes inside the PVC tube, then back out at the end caps. Did that so I could remove the screen if need be. Flow isn't high enough to warrant using PVC cement, so I can break it completely down. Using a snap-in broom holder to hold it in place. Lighting is supplied by a 25watt (equal to 100watt) spiral CF on one side only.
Supplies:
3/4" PVC tube, 15" or so
3/4" PVC end cap
3/4" PVC slip-to-threaded adapter
3/4" threaded-to-barbed adapter
5/8" tubing (bit of give and take here, because 3/4" is to big for my pump, 5/8" can be forced onto a 3/4" barb if slit and heated a touch)
Screen or whatever mat you plan on using (mine is a hard plastic,used for knitting of some kind)
Broom clip
Lighting (whatever you plan on using, one side, PC, spiral CF, MH, etc)



 
aquaknight

aquaknight

Active Member
Alright. I have a reflector too. Just got tired of griding my arm on the sump to get the clip where it was. I'll toss it on and see where I can clamp it closer tomorrow...
 
santamonica

santamonica

Member
The pipe looks great! The light does need to be within 4", however, and with a reflector. Flow seems to be fine, although a bit hard to tell from the video. If you want super power, put a light on the other side too.
 
posiden

posiden

Active Member
Agreed, the light needs to be closer w/reflector.
I hope those screws holding up the scrubber aren't very long.LOL.
How big a pump are you using?
What are the dimensions of your scrubber?
How big a tank is this for?
Also on the slot for the screen, you might want to cut some additional slots going adjacent for better flow once the algae starts to grow on there. Just a thought. Good luck on it.
I think you will enjoy watching the changes your tank is going to go through. It is very interesting.
 
culp

culp

Active Member
i kinda feel of like making one myself. just to give me some thing to build. i don't think i would use it much if any but i just enjoy building things.
 
aquaknight

aquaknight

Active Member
Some update pics. Scrubber is building very, very quickly. PO4 has always been undetectable and NO3 has always been about .1ppm. Nuisance algae in the display has stopped growing, though not close to being eliminated. I suspect that will take much more time.

 
aquaknight

aquaknight

Active Member
Originally Posted by Culp
http:///forum/post/3001557
i kinda feel of like making one myself. just to give me some thing to build. i don't think i would use it much if any but i just enjoy building things.

That is exactly why I built mine. Another toy/something else to try and add to the tank. A UV, phosban reactor, and 29gal ref weren't cutting it for me (at least in PO4/nusiance algae elimination). So I am giving the scrubber a shot.
 
locoyo386

locoyo386

Member
Hi there,
I would like to know how your scrubber performs over time. I am interested in doing this when I get my bigger tank in the future. Are you seeing any differences in your pH or AT?
 
aquaknight

aquaknight

Active Member
pH has always been 8.3. I don't really get much of a drop overnight. 8.1 if the skimmers off for the day's cleaning.
AT, is an ambient temperature?
 
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