turf scrubbers

[santamonica]

You might want to switch to spirals and reflectors:

....or, add another spotlight on each side. The lights should be pointed at the middle of the screen
Second, get bigger bulbs... 33 or 42 watts.
However as long as algae is going away in the display, it's moving in the right direction.
Test again in another week.

 

[deejeff442]

i went through 4 spirals burning out.so i switched to the flood lights.but i put them in the reflectors and no more problems.
the scrubber sure hasnt helped with algae .i have alot og groth on the screen but the same algae on the glass.

 

[mproctor4]

Thanks SantaMontica!! I had read the spirals burned out easier which is why I didn't start out with them. You can't see it in my picture but my bulb are spiral inside of the flood light casing. I can't remember what wattage they are but they were the highest that store sold. Until I get new bulbs should I put the flood lights inside of my reflector? I was just afraid of the heat so I took the reflectors off. I really don't have room to add another spot light, it is packed in my cabinet with my dyi sump/filter and my QT tank.
deejeff442--I noticed the algea going away in that one part of the tank at week 2, wish I would have taken pictures because it is dramatic. It was a different algea than I have in other areas of my tank. I have not noticed a difference anywhere else yet, especially the front of my glass. I didn't really expect to see any difference in 4 weeks, but certainly didn't expect my levels to go up that dramatically.

 

[desertdawg]

Quote:
Quote:
Was thinking I could cut 1 sheet in 1/2. Then double them up.
If you mean double-layer like a pancake, don't. Single layers are much easier for the average person to use.
I'm still using my triple layer screen with good results, I can scrape both sides and still have plenty of color in between the sheets to regrow
I plan on redesigning my scrubber soon, I need to change it's orientation in the tub so the lights fit better, I planned of making a double layer this time since I think triple is a little overkill!

 

[mproctor4]

I just pulled my lights out and the bulb says 75w. Are the sprial bulbs stronger even with the lower wattage? You can tell I am clueless about lightbulbs---I know how to change them, that is about it.

 

[santamonica]

It ti's really 75 watts then it's too big, unless it means "equivalent".
Burning-out can be stopped by drilling bigger holes in the base of the reflector.
A few more weeks of growth and the display algae will start going away.

 

[mproctor4]

Quote:
Originally Posted by SantaMonica http:///forum/thread/382073/turf-scrubbers/280#post_3358062
Burning-out can be stopped by drilling bigger holes in the base of the reflector.
A few more weeks of growth and the display algae will start going away.
You seriously will have to talk down to me on this--what the heck does "drilling bigger holes in the base of the reflector" mean??
Honestly, the area of algea I didn't like has gone away, there is minimal everywhere else that doesn't bother me. I truely want the scrubber to just reduce my nitrates (I know decreased algea is the benefit) because I am adding corals and don't want to being doing massive, frequent water changes. I like a high bioload and I like to feed alot, so I was hoping the scrubber would help. I am still clueless why my nitrates went up so dramatically this week but will try not to be too upset for a few more weeks. I really do appreciate the help.

 

[jstdv8]

Quote:
Originally Posted by mproctor4 http:///forum/thread/382073/turf-scrubbers/280#post_3358156
Quote:
Originally Posted by SantaMonica http:///forum/thread/382073/turf-scrubbers/280#post_3358062
Burning-out can be stopped by drilling bigger holes in the base of the reflector.
A few more weeks of growth and the display algae will start going away.
You seriously will have to talk down to me on this--what the heck does "drilling bigger holes in the base of the reflector" mean??
Honestly, the area of algea I didn't like has gone away, there is minimal everywhere else that doesn't bother me. I truely want the scrubber to just reduce my nitrates (I know decreased algea is the benefit) because I am adding corals and don't want to being doing massive, frequent water changes. I like a high bioload and I like to feed alot, so I was hoping the scrubber would help. I am still clueless why my nitrates went up so dramatically this week but will try not to be too upset for a few more weeks. I really do appreciate the help.
Proctor,
He posted a picture abopve of what he's talking about.
when he says drill holes int he reflector he is refering tot he big metal silver reflector behind the curly bulbs. The curly bulbs had an electronic base that gets really hot. so if you got rid of some metal and allowed more air in and heat out right near where the electronic part of the bulb sits then it will lengthen the lifespan of the bulb.
Really good idea, I went to the outdoor CFL because I was having this same problem. good to know.
Also I saw 2packs of 3000k curly 27 wat bulbs at home depot for 5.98 last week. they are coming down in price alot, last time I bougth bulbs I paid 10.00 a piece for them.

 

[mproctor4]

Got it

Sounds like I need to make a trip to Home Depot this week. Thanks

 

[santamonica]

 

[al&burke]

Quote:
Originally Posted by SantaMonica http:///forum/thread/382073/turf-scrubbers/280#post_3358391

I made these reflectors with stainless steel bowls 5$ each

 

[santamonica]

Yes those are very good.

 

[deejeff442]

i was getting alot of green growth.now i am getting even more growth but its green,brown and yellow.it this good ,bad or just right?

 

[santamonica]

Yellow rubber or yellow slime: It's not getting enough iron, compared to how much light it's getting. The more light it gets, the more iron it needs. The best way to give it more iron is to increase flow, which also delivers more of all the other nutrients to it; this will increase overall filtering too. But at some point your screen will not be able to hold on to the heavy algae. Or, maybe you cannot increase flow any more. In this case, add iron, such as Ken't Iron+Manganese, according to the instructions. This will help the algae grow green without slowing filtering. If you can't get iron, then turn the lights off an extra 2 hours per day. Don't move the lights farther away; just turn them off 2 more hours per day (weak light is not good; it's better to have strong light for a shorter time). This reduced lighing time will also allow the algae to grow green, but it does slow down the filtering because the amount of filtering is proportional to the amount of light.

 

[sparty059]

I'm really interested in building one. However, my sump doesn't allow the room for the size of the turf scrubber I would need. Which made me think today, would it work if I were to break it down into two? For example I have a 150gallon which leads me to think I'd need close to 2'x2'. Would I be able to make two 1'x1' screens and place them in my sump? Or would that not work effectively? I'd really like to have one of these, plus the build threads look like a bit of fun. Any thoughts?
I have a 150 gallon and under it I have two 20 gallon tanks (one sump, one refugium).

 

[2quills]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sparty059 http:///forum/thread/382073/turf-scrubbers/280#post_3384346
I'm really interested in building one. However, my sump doesn't allow the room for the size of the turf scrubber I would need. Which made me think today, would it work if I were to break it down into two? For example I have a 150gallon which leads me to think I'd need close to 2'x2'. Would I be able to make two 1'x1' screens and place them in my sump? Or would that not work effectively? I'd really like to have one of these, plus the build threads look like a bit of fun. Any thoughts?
I have a 150 gallon and under it I have two 20 gallon tanks (one sump, one refugium).
Sparty you should be able to do it with one screen approximately 12"x14" or 11"x15" if you light it on both sides. I'd build it in or over your fuge and get rid of the chaeto.

 

[sweatervest13]

Oh man!! Now I think I want one of these ATS things. It would take the place of any macro I would grow in a fuge right? How often do you need to clean the screens? I think Sparty is right, it would be kind of fun to build. Good thread.

 

[sparty059]

Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///forum/thread/382073/turf-scrubbers/280#post_3384359
Sparty you should be able to do it with one screen approximately 12"x14" or 11"x15" if you light it on both sides. I'd build it in or over your fuge and get rid of the chaeto.
Ok. So I remove the chaeto and replace with the turf scrubber. However, I have a mandarin in the fuge... it won't kill him or anything will it? I'm not going to place him in the DT until he gets a bit bigger... but even then I don't know if his permanent home will ever be in the DT as I plan to get a FuManChu Lionfish once I get this move done and over with. So the turf scrubber and a mandarin fish + copepod condo's and rock ruble. Shouldn't pose any problems? I'll tell you what... that'll be a jam packed refugium! haha.

 

[deejeff442]

no the scrubber wont hurt the mandarin.i scrapped my scrubber a couple weeks ago.it worked great for the purpose it was for .but,once the algae really started growing it kept clogging the slot and parts and was squirting all over.i got tired of it and went back to macro.i plan to get a big skimmer this week to make up for it.they do work great but the maintenance is too much for me.plus all the extra light they want compared to macro was making alot of bubble algae and green algae in the sump.

 

[2quills]

Quote:
Originally Posted by sweatervest13 http:///forum/thread/382073/turf-scrubbers/280#post_3384368
Oh man!! Now I think I want one of these ATS things. It would take the place of any macro I would grow in a fuge right? How often do you need to clean the screens? I think Sparty is right, it would be kind of fun to build. Good thread.
I'm going to send you guys the link for the FAQ page on the scrubber site. It has all of the infor for screen sizing, flow and light recommendations. Also you can check out lots of different designs that guys have done. SantaMonica is over there all of the time I'm sure he won't mind.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sparty059 http:///forum/thread/382073/turf-scrubbers/280#post_3384374
Ok. So I remove the chaeto and replace with the turf scrubber. However, I have a mandarin in the fuge... it won't kill him or anything will it? I'm not going to place him in the DT until he gets a bit bigger... but even then I don't know if his permanent home will ever be in the DT as I plan to get a FuManChu Lionfish once I get this move done and over with. So the turf scrubber and a mandarin fish + copepod condo's and rock ruble. Shouldn't pose any problems? I'll tell you what... that'll be a jam packed refugium! haha.
Sparty I don't know much about those lionfish but if it's going to be a problem with the mandarin than I'd maybe think about taking him back. A fuge is no place to keep a beautifull fish like that in permanently imo. But people report that running the scrubber negates the need for their skimmer and end up with many more pods as a result.