Mega Powerful Nitrate and Phosphate Remover - DIY!

[SantaMonica]

New Screen Material

Well after months of figuring out what are the best attributes are for a scrubber screen, and also after getting reports from hundreds of people as to what screen material worked best for them, I think I've come up with a material that is perfect for the job. I'm offering this screen for free to anyone who wants to try it (just pay shipping). Here are some pics, and some advantages, to this material:

It's Clear Plastic: This allows light from one side of the screen to shine through to the other side. For a (new) two-sided screen, this means both sides of the screen get light from both bulbs; for one-sided screens, it means the dark side will still get some light from the bulb on the other side.

It's Thick: 1/4 inch (6mm). This allows much more room for algae to grip to, so washings/cleanings will not strip all the algae (no matter how hard you scrub). For total algae removal, you can just use a hair brush to push all the algae completely out. If you already have a pipe that is cut for canvas (usually a 1/8" or 3mm slot), you'll need to widen it to 5/16" (8mm).

It Flows Through: Since the screen is not solid, it allows algae from both sides to attach to each other in the middle, thus giving the algae even greater holding-power during cleanings and high flow.

It's Semi-Rigid: This gives a small screen enough strength to hold up a pipe by itself, and gives large screens the ability to prevent waviness, and from flopping out of position.

It's Bendable: You can put a large screen in a small sink for cleaning; it also is possible to bend the screen into a circular-screen configuration (i.e., inside a bucket.)

It Holds Roughness (after you rough it up). Attack it with 30 grit sandpaper, wire brushes, power sanders, etc, and the roughness will stay. Give yourself about one hour to rough up both sides.

It's Sturdy: It resists hard cleanings, even if you use fingernails, credit cards, or razors.

It's Reef Safe: Is made of standard hard-plastic material.

It can be used as-is for vertical screens, or it can be glued to a solid plastic sheet for horizontal screens (the sheet keeps water from flowing through the screen.)

So if anyone wants to try it, the screens I'm starting out with are a little smaller than a square foot; they are about 11.5" X 11.5" (29cm X 29cm). If you need two of these sheets to fit your scrubber, let me know. I'll keep the packing and shipping cost the same for everyone, $10 USD, including international. Paypal is easiest, but whatever works. PM me.

[bobiegoh]

Bro SantaMonica,

1/ What is the best way to introduce this when the sump is having others media?

2/ Should I replace all the media by Turf at once or part by part?

3/ Should I continue to run my skimmer and other equipments when the turf is just kick in?

4/ What is the min light power source required in term of Watt (commercial bulb)?

5/ What is the pump size for a 12" x 12" filter screen?

Thanks.

[SantaMonica]

What is the best way to introduce this when the sump is having others media?

You can remove everything at the beginning if you want. But to be safe, let the scrubber grow a few weeks (and clean every 7 days no matter what) first.

What is the min light power source required in term of Watt (commercial bulb)?

Minimum 23 watt CFL 2700K floodlight.

What is the pump size for a 12" x 12" filter screen?

12 X 35 = 420 gph.

[SantaMonica]

I'm going to be posting new example designs soon, so if you have not already posted your pics, do so now and I'll include it for others to see.

[SantaMonica]

.

Time for 66 new examples of scrubber designs:

MudShark on the MASA site:

[SantaMonica]

[SantaMonica]

Captevo on the Algae Scrubber site, with a nano setup:

Jarhead80 on the UR site, with a nano setup:

Chris003 on the 3R site:

[SantaMonica]

AcuarioOceanic on the AR site:

AdolfoRuiz on the AR site:

Calunga on the AR site:

CesarRosh on the AR site:

Emperador on the AR site:

JJavier1976 on the AR site:

Labperck on the AR site:

[SantaMonica]

Mario_Mendoza on the AR site:

Saulhs on the AR site:

Renman303 on the ARC site:

Aaarr on the Algae Scrubber site:

[SantaMonica]

Gasha on the Algae Scrubber site, with a top-of-tank setup:

Hobogato on the Algae Scrubber site:

JDlon on the Algae Scrubber site:

Kbaker on the Algae Scrubber site, with a solar powered turtle tank:

[SantaMonica]

Ktsdad on the Algae Scrubber site, with a bio-ball container design:

Mystic.Bertie on the Algae Scrubber site:

Natapa on the Algae Scrubber site, with an outdoor SW aquaculture pond:

OceanRock on the Algae Scrubber site:

[SantaMonica]

RumpyPumpy on the Algae Scrubber site:

Worley on the Algae Scrubber site:

MT1071 on the FF site:

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Slick_Fish on the FF site:

Darb on the FL site:

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Jrunyon210 on the FL site:

Imdaring on the LR site:

Amalick on the MASA site:

Halogen on the MB site:

Huhhhhh on the MB site did a fantastic build. This type of scrubber is the most powerful you can fit in a small space, because all of the light is strong and near to the screen:

[SantaMonica]

[SantaMonica]

Here are the water resistant end caps for the bulbs:

http://www.customaquatic.com/estore/contro...duct=LT-VA72613

Here is the ballast (powers up to 6 bulbs):

http://www.1000bulbs.com/Fulham-Ballast-Workhorse-8/6189/

Here is the wiring diragram:

www.fulham.com/images/WDgifs/wire29.gif

Chelsey on the RC site:

Tige21 on the MD site:

[SantaMonica]

SimonSKL on the MD site also did a nice build that lets you remove the screen while the water is still flowing:

And here is a video of the screen removal:

MyFishEatYourFish on the MFK site:

[SantaMonica]

CardBoardBoxProcessor on the MFT site:

Mudcrab on the MFT site, with a great design that slides in and out:

[SantaMonica]

Craig on the NZ site:

[SantaMonica]

Sl1me on the NZ site:

Birador on the RP site:

Boom_Smashers on the RP site:

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GrAhF11 on the RP site:

Rav888 on the RP site:

Ronron on the RP site:

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Kiwiman456 on the RS site:

Markm3 on the RS site:

Ender on the SARK site:

Punk on the SARK site:

[SantaMonica]

Milburnr on the SC site:

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Creetin on the SRC site:

Darasy on the TCMAS site:

[SantaMonica]

FiveSmallWorlds on the TCMAS site:

Craigg on the UR site:

Wormside on the UR site: