how to start up a turf algae scrubber?

[Moonstream]

just discovered these, and since I am looking to setup a cheaper phosphate/nitrate reactor, I was thinking that this would be a good start. I am planning to place gutter guard onto the last baffle of my sump, the one that goes into my return section. I will eventually make a better one, but for now this should work (right?).

I was wondering how to start this up? I was thinking that maybe I should rub some of my rocks onto gutter guard in hopes of transfering the algae to it... any help s greatly appreciated!

 

[NYreefNoob]

http://www.myfishtank.net/forum/sal...a-powerful-nitrate-phosphate-remover-diy.html

 

[ILikeFish]

Just read this guys posts. This is very interesting. Does any one have any experience with these?

 

[Sumbub]

I built that system after I read the article. I'll be honest. I probably didn't build a big enough plate to support my system, but I didn't have to clean the glass as much when it was running. Only problems I had was that it blocked my access to my water change valve and salt creep everywhere. The nitrate and phosphate never went down, but it wasn't that high anyway.

 

[mray]

Have you tried lowering the "mesh" so that water won't splash?

 

[Adamc1303]

Looks pretty cool. I would love to setup one of these but unless you have a tank room it looks like you are asking for problems.

 

[DrGonzo]

This is fascinating. It's too bad it's so cold outside. I would set one of these up outside on my fire escape.

 

[nanoreefer22]

I've had one of these for the longest time, I call it my back glass

 

[Sumbub]

Have you tried lowering the "mesh" so that water won't splash?

That wasn't the problem. It was the splashing as the water was exiting the pipe onto the mesh. It is a very light spray that you won't notice until a couple months later and you'll see tiny specks of salt everywhere. I may restart it again, but it'll be built in another way that I'll have to figure out into my current set up.

 

[jimidalock]

Giving it a try!

It looks like a great project so I ordered some materials yesterday and I'll post pics of the build as I go. Looks like fun.

 

[hijinks]

the only bad thing i've heard about these is you need to run carbon or your water will turn a yellow color.

This is an old concept.. 20+ years ago from what I know.. I was thinking about doing it also just haven't got around to it. I'd love to see someone in this forum give it a try and post a running thread of their progress.

 

[reefs4life]

what about if you take the tube out of your overflow so the overflow space is empty and it just drains at the bottom where it's drilled and just put a light in your overflow...i have my overflow like that and it makes a nice thin waterfall on the plastic of the overflow