Nuturally lit Algea Scrubber

FransSny

FransSny

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Hi guys, with my tank standing close to an external wall receiving sun for most of the day I had this "brainwave ;)"

I was thinking a long rectangular "tank" against the wall. Water from the sump will then be pumped to the top and tricle down the screen and return to the sump via gravity. No need for lighting then

Could this work ?
 
Can't see why not:thumbup: - plus you can leave it longer without cleaning the algae off without worry about it being unsightly - just hope you dont inquisitive neighbours ajnd their pet cats trying to get inside looking for goodies to eat :lol:
 
Yes, just check other stuff like dirt and leaves falling into the scrubber.
And check the water temperature, especially winter night time as I know Valhalla area can be very cold. Did some army days there.
 
Would the temp be affected much as its not a quantity of water just flowing - surely before the temp should drop too much if its getting back to sump quick enough?
 
RiaanP said:
Yes, just check other stuff like dirt and leaves falling into the scrubber.
And check the water temperature, especially winter night time as I know Valhalla area can be very cold. Did some army days there.
Click to expand...

Very valid point Riaan..Thanx:thumbup:. Youve seen where my tanks are standing, I am thinking of putting it right against the wall behind my sump so the length the water would have to travel would be minimal ?

chikaboo said:
Would the temp be affected much as its not a quantity of water just flowing - surely before the temp should drop too much if its getting back to sump quick enough?
Click to expand...

Mmm also thinking of that chicka as only a small portion of water would actually leave the sump to go outside. Would probably put the heaters under a bit more stress
 
Good idea...
Just check you temp (act's as a radiator (heat exchanger)), and you evaporation would increase...
 
Believe me, My tank is outside in my enclosed Lapa. And it is out of any draughts.
Only a 230L system. And one 300w and another 100w heater could not keep the water temp stable. Worst morning this winter the temp dropped to 18.
Had to change to 2 * 300W. That worked
Also with an open scrubber you will do a lot of top-ups. I do 10L per day or even more. That is about 5% per day. Even now, with this morning minimum temp at 15 you can clearly see how much water evaporated last night.

My opinion, if you have heat problems because of MH lights. Get yourself an nice big open scrubber, and auto tup-up with big enough reservior. And you can switch your chiller off. At worst put a fan blowing over the scrubber but switch the fan off with the lights.
 
Only problem in South Africa is that a glass box most likely will be cheaper than Acrylic.
Acrylic should be the more safe option. Especially with kids, stones, toys, sticks....
 
I am afraid Riaan is 110% correct, the outside scrubber even if only open at the top will cause HUGE evaporation to take place, i recently shut down my scrubber becausee it was not growing turn algae only slime algae ..... well i saw a 2 degree rise in temp.... i put it back on last night and low and belold 2 degree drop in temp...... never under estimate the heat exchange and evaporative potential of an ATS
 
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