OP
OP
I haven't seen that recommendation anywhere, though it sounds like it makes sense to me. I'll go searching to see what I can find.
Steve's L2 Algae Scrubber (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter data_loss
- Start date
I haven't seen that recommendation anywhere, though it sounds like it makes sense to me. I'll go searching to see what I can find.
If your getting bald spots or very yellow algae then you may want to address it. However if your seeing algae growing farily consistantly on the whole screen then just keep your schedule as is.
OP
OP
It's only been running 3 days :beerchug:
Skip
Senior Member
This is grabbing my interest. Ats or a new big sro? Hmmm
OP
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Screen growth from first week. Have had a lot more algae growth in display since taking GFO offline. Will post water test results some time today.
Hey David - as you said above:
So a more on/off schedule should address this type of situation? (such as the 2 hours on, 2 hours off mentioned previously? Is 12 hours enough in this situation?)
So a more on/off schedule should address this type of situation? (such as the 2 hours on, 2 hours off mentioned previously? Is 12 hours enough in this situation?)
OP
OP
I don't know farnzi this is pretty much exactly what I would have expected to see from a week one screen. I don't think any lighting changes are necessary yet. I do think I need to get a bigger pump so that I get more flow going to the whole screen.
deneed4spd
Senior Member
My screen looked like that doing a up flow scrubber in my sump but i couldnt get it anything beyond that.
I agree that what you're seeing on your screen is pretty solid for week one, and probably should have just PM'd David with that question. I am just curious if what he mentioned solves this issue seen in other scrubbers where light placement was too intense/too close to the screen. I had one tank that had that problem and never thought to adjust the lighting period like was described.
OP
OP
Six days growth I think. Need to get on a Sunday cleaning schedule. Did a 30 gallon water change today to keep the nitrates and phosphates tolerable till this thing kicks in. Substantial algae growth in display tank since turning off GFO. Nothing that concerns me though, I have practiced algae cultivation for over a year now :beerchug:
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OP
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Just to compare, week 1 and week 2, looks like it is filling in a bit.
I've learned on both of mine that I under estimated the flow. Can't have too much really other than literally shooting out the sides.
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Yeah I'm pretty sure I'm going to want to really increase flow in the near future. It just barely seems to cover the screen with a trickle. Spread seems nice and even though at least.
OP
OP
Well, yes, I had GFO running in a BRS reactor before installing the scrubber. I took this offline when I installed the scrubber knowing that phosphates would go up until the scrubber matures. The rise in phosphates has resulted in an algae outbreak in the display tank. I expect that as the scrubber matures it will eat up the phosphates and the display tank will clean up again. From what I've read it takes at least a month for the screen to mature.
OP
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Scrubber picture before cleaning today.
It wasn't a full weeks growth because I wanted to get on a Sunday cleaning schedule. I'm still not happy with it regardless. The only place I'm seeing anything remotely green is where the flow is at the very highest in the two top corners.
I tore everything apart today and moved the scrubber. It is now hooked up to a manifold fed from a reeflo tarpon return pump so I can tweak the water flow as high as I want. I set the flow much higher hoping it will help this week.
I haven't been feeding two cubes a day. Partly because I've been lazy this week, partly because I figured my nitrates are over 10ppm right now and there is phosphate already present in the system. Is it correct to assume I don't need to feed as long as tests show I have higher phosphate and nitrate levels?
If things don't start filling in with the higher flow should I consider supplementing with iron (or anything else)?
Thanks for any tips :beerchug:
It wasn't a full weeks growth because I wanted to get on a Sunday cleaning schedule. I'm still not happy with it regardless. The only place I'm seeing anything remotely green is where the flow is at the very highest in the two top corners.
I tore everything apart today and moved the scrubber. It is now hooked up to a manifold fed from a reeflo tarpon return pump so I can tweak the water flow as high as I want. I set the flow much higher hoping it will help this week.
I haven't been feeding two cubes a day. Partly because I've been lazy this week, partly because I figured my nitrates are over 10ppm right now and there is phosphate already present in the system. Is it correct to assume I don't need to feed as long as tests show I have higher phosphate and nitrate levels?
If things don't start filling in with the higher flow should I consider supplementing with iron (or anything else)?
Thanks for any tips :beerchug:
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What is your LED combination? Just red and blue?
I'd go with the increased flow and see what happens after a week. May also need to increase the slot size alittle to accomidate via a dremel.
OP
OP
There are six red and one blue led on each side.