-
Folks, if you've recently upgraded or renewed your annual club membership but it's still not active, please reach out to the BOD or a moderator. The PayPal system has a slight bug which it doesn't allow it to activate the account on it's own.
WTB Santa Monica Algae Scrubber Surf or Hog Model
- Thread starter Justin
- Start date
Yeah diy was another option I was considering, and really ? That sucks, there not cheap units either. I've seen other reviews about the drop not being worth it as well
The biggest thing is that you cant silence them, so with the bubbler they become super loud, almost like a freshwater bubbler filter.
They also lack a power and airline disconnect. So when you need to service the unit, you need to remove the whole thing.
You can easily DIY any of the models for a fraction of the price, especially the HOG units.
They also lack a power and airline disconnect. So when you need to service the unit, you need to remove the whole thing.
You can easily DIY any of the models for a fraction of the price, especially the HOG units.
I may actually DIY it, I might make a build thread for a DIY upflow scrubber. Only thing is lighting it, the rest of the build seems pretty easy. Santa monica sells GEM lights that come UL listed which I may use, unless I can find a cheaper and still safe option.
Link to gem lights - GEM5 underwater submersible plant-grow and algae-grow light for refugiums, algae scrubbers, reactors, hydroponics and aquaponics
DangerDave
NJRC Member
Easy peasy. It’s the cost of the light, acrylic, time and effort.
this one is a couple weeks in....
this one is a couple weeks in....
What light are you using ? And any heat issues from it ? Also are you seeing a reduction in no3 and po4? It looks good tho!
DangerDave
NJRC Member
I’m using a chaetomax 18 watt light on each side. Heat worried me, I used a 1/8 thick acrylic display box as the base for it. The lights are mounted with hard Velcro (like the kind they give you for ezpass). It keeps the light about 1/4 or so off the box which keeps it pretty cool. I’ve had a little bowing, but not enough to care.
I’ve run one of these for over a decade before, it’s very effective. I have to dose nitrates, but it’s smoothed out the phosphate drops and spikes I was getting. Everything in the reef is much, much happier.
it doesn’t have to be fancy, google algae scrubbers and find a design you like and adjust it for your situation. You need a rough clear screen (plastic canvas), water and light on a timer 18 on 6 off.
Dave
I’ve run one of these for over a decade before, it’s very effective. I have to dose nitrates, but it’s smoothed out the phosphate drops and spikes I was getting. Everything in the reef is much, much happier.
it doesn’t have to be fancy, google algae scrubbers and find a design you like and adjust it for your situation. You need a rough clear screen (plastic canvas), water and light on a timer 18 on 6 off.
Dave
DangerDave
NJRC Member
In all reality, the lights and acrylic aren’t cheap, and when you add the labor to build the commercial ones, some of them aren’t so badly priced. If I was going to buy one, it would be A Clearwater or apis unit.
I think @Steven Simon has a Clearwater unit he might be able to tell you about.
I think @Steven Simon has a Clearwater unit he might be able to tell you about.
I think im going to use the same light as you but I'm going to run an upflow instead of a waterfall just because of size constraints under my tank, I'll probably start a thread to keep people updated once I get all the parts and everything going
DangerDave
NJRC Member
I can’t see how they would be as effective as the waterfall scrubbers, but I dont have any experience with an up flow.