DIY, intergrated upflow algae scrubber

[homegrowncichlid]

Using an adjustable 60-100W (set around 80W) full spectrum LED grow panel, I have been harvesting massive amounts of ulva sea lettuce. Also a lesson learned is not to remove all the algae every week, but to leave 1/3 of it in there (shown pic #1). I seeded the tank with chaeto, which is held down with lead wire, along the bottom of the scrubber, which itself was promptly overgrown by ulva. I'm assuming ulva requires more light and out competed the chaeto. I have been leaving the chaeto mass on the bottom and harvesting the upper portion. The chaeto provides a 3D matrix/structure for the ulva, as they both grow (or is pushed) upwards by the current, exposing it to more horizontal light.
The scrubber is fed directly from the overflow box, flowing upwards and over the baffle to the left. As a concept, seems to be working well. No need for the entire sump to be used as a refugium anymore, the side light panel has reduced the refugium area from 36" of linear tank space to 4" (left to right). This frees up a lot of space for other things. The entire 4"w x 12"h x 12"d grows into a thick mass of ulva.
This could also be built into the main tank also, on a side, both sides or even the back side. The only restriction would the access for scraping the glass.
Empty tank pics (#3 and 4) posted below for reference. The original 20W red LED panel did not provide enough light to grow more than turf hair algae, which my tangs did not want to eat.

View attachment 275744View attachment 275744

 

[rwells]

Great idea, looks awesome

 

[SIReefer]

Nice design

 

[Jamesmost]

Good job, interesting, algae much different then in my Cw scrubber, did u seed it?

 

[rwells]

Has a CW to buy space consuming, have to be over the Sump for safety.

 

[rwells]

I eventually did a diy hang in the sump with light and works great. I run it off/on because nutrients too low. Just clean.

 

[homegrowncichlid]

One weak later, have harvested and removed about a cantaloupe size mass, about a 6" diameter ball. and kept about a cup of cheato on the lead wires weights to restart it up again. I could harvest it after 2 weeks instead, it just grows denser, but I feel would be beyond the growth peak, due to shelf shading.
Yes, my tank has been seeded with seaweed I collected from Jamaica Bay last fall. There are about 5 major macro algae species growing there. Green is ulva, both the wide and thin leaf, red and yellow gracilaria, a thin brown kelp species, plus a fine (thin) branching red algae, that's a bit on the tougher side, fish didn't like eating this species or kelp. Back then, I had gracilaria growing in the scrubber, but once I scraped it off, I couldn't reseed this, since it didn't anchor anywhere. I could probably redo that now that I have lead wire weights to hold it down. I have some gracilaria growing in hard to reach corners.
As for the main tank itself, just growing hair algae, and letting the hermits/snails take care of that. Anything macro growing in there have long been eaten off by tangs.

 

[homegrowncichlid]

Rwells, what kind of algae are you scrapping off your screen there under the blue lighting? would you say it was dark green hair/bush algae? I had that when I was using the 20W, but the current 80W is much more photosynthetic, promoting the ulva, which out grew the hair algae. Jamesmost's algae looks like it is also growing under better lighting than yours, he's got a zone of inhibition in the center and is collecting a bright green, fast growing species.

 

[5thChorseman]

homegrowncichlid would it be possible for me to get some of the thin leaf ulva from the next time you havest. I would like to seed my scrubber with it. Thanks.

 

[rwells]

Rwells, what kind of algae are you scrapping off your screen there under the blue lighting? would you say it was dark green hair/bush algae? I had that when I was using the 20W, but the current 80W is much more photosynthetic, promoting the ulva, which out grew the hair algae. Jamesmost's algae looks like it is also growing under better lighting than yours, he's got a zone of inhibition in the center and is collecting a bright green, fast growing species.

Yes it’s the dark green hair type algae.
Let me know the next time you harvest, I grab some from you and try.

 

[homegrowncichlid]

Yes, should be plenty to dump out next weekend, and in another month or so, the Jamaica Bay will be full of it too. I'm located in Rego Park. Which ever is more convenient for you guys, evenings after work, or weekend. If you have chaeto,please bring some. The ulva grows in a sheet/mass on the glass, which when I scrape off, will be much easier for you guys to anchor down. I'll let it grow in till then.