Build one for yourself! Get help and read about Best Practices for designing and constructing an Algae Scrubber Fri, 13 Mar 2026 05:18:30 +0000 Fri, 13 Mar 2026 05:18:30 +0000 Algae Scrubbing https://www.algaescrubbing.com/forums/algae-scrubber-diy.6/ Fri, 16 Aug 2024 10:46:43 +0000 https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/rule69-diy-scrubber.1025/ https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/rule69-diy-scrubber.1025/ invalid@example.com (Rule69) Rule69
About a week's to a week and a half growth on my diy algae scrubber after break in time. Screen is 7inx8in. All together about $75 for a one-side lit algae scrubber. Add another $35 if you want it lit on both sides. Just add your pump.

Dropbox - FB_IMG_1695155461561.jpg - Simplify your life...

Rule69 DIY Scrubber.]]> 3 Thu, 14 Oct 2021 22:24:24 +0000 https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/rollermat-waterfall-scrubber.1023/ https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/rollermat-waterfall-scrubber.1023/ invalid@example.com (Mark Rygh) Mark Rygh (Quite a few of those years using two banks of Turbo's LEDs.)
A couple of things though:
1) If I go on vacation, or get lazy, screens do not get cleaned weekly.
2) Algae scrubbers do tend to produce a bit of extra detritus
3) I have considered a rollermat device for normal detritus as well.

So I came up with an idea to make an automated rollermat scrubber.
The "screen" would be fleece, moving about 1" per day.
As water...

RollerMat Waterfall scrubber?]]> 2 Thu, 17 Sep 2020 13:10:38 +0000 https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/new-to-scrubbers-diy.981/ https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/new-to-scrubbers-diy.981/ invalid@example.com (Theo) Theo
I’ve recently set up anew tank, its a 350g. I live in China and bought this scrubber.





I don’t have any fish in yet but theres a fair amount of GHA in the tank. The scrubber I’ve got has red LEDs, but I don’t have any idea what lumens or wattage. The screen size is 35x16cm. The feed pump is a 1000Litre pump. I’m getting slight hair growth but it’s more of a slime algae.

So I’m planning to...

New to scrubbers diy]]> 42 Tue, 14 Jul 2020 19:35:42 +0000 https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/newby-ats-diy.965/ https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/newby-ats-diy.965/ invalid@example.com (Erik737) Erik737


...

Newby ATS DIY]]> 20 Fri, 10 Jul 2020 19:51:36 +0000 https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/diy-led-wiring-current-reduction.1014/ https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/diy-led-wiring-current-reduction.1014/ invalid@example.com (semiroundel) semiroundel The voltages and total wattage are correct for what I need but the current is too high (the led's are 700-800 mah max rating)
I have a Mean Well LDD-700L unit, will this, in series, limit the current allowing me to run the led's?
Thanks in advance.]]> 7 Sun, 24 May 2020 02:57:32 +0000 https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/teeter-totter-or-fix.1012/ https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/teeter-totter-or-fix.1012/ invalid@example.com (MaxE6) MaxE6
I recently purchased a used sump, after a long hiatus from the hobby. Anyway, it was custom built with an algae scrubber teeter totter. Once set up I noticed some splashing, and annoying noise every time the drubber would dump water and smack the acrylic stopper.

I have used some PVC to keep it stabilized for now. My question is, will this scrubber work horizontal? Should I run as a teeter totter?

Do you have any other suggestions?

Thank you in advance!]]> 1 Sun, 17 May 2020 06:35:19 +0000 https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/led-wiring-calculating-current-and-voltage.1009/ https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/led-wiring-calculating-current-and-voltage.1009/ invalid@example.com (semiroundel) semiroundel I am going to use that LED driver for the first 6 deep red LED's.
In the second lot ( a bit of redundancy, plus the other driver was only enough for the six LED's), I haven't decided if I'm going to add two or four deep red in series, plus two violet in parallel.
I have drawn the diagrams out, perhaps you could say how to wire up: 2 reds and 2 violets in drawings 1 or 2?
And if I decide to wire up 4 reds and 2 violets, is it drawing 3 or 4?...

LED wiring calculating current and voltage]]> 4 Sat, 09 May 2020 00:34:31 +0000 https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/trotterstank-diy-ats.1008/ https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/trotterstank-diy-ats.1008/ invalid@example.com (Trotters Tank) Trotters Tank
I am in the process of planning my DIY ATS build and I’m a little stuck on what pipe work to use. I would like to use 21.5mm solvent weld waste pipe. It has an ID of about 18mm (0.7 of an inch!)

Is this big enough?

I am based in the UK.

Many thanks

Toby]]> 1 Wed, 29 Apr 2020 02:03:37 +0000 https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/led-wiring-up-6x3w-leds.1007/ https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/led-wiring-up-6x3w-leds.1007/ invalid@example.com (semiroundel) semiroundel Hi all, I bought these deep red 3w LED's and I have a PLC7034-04 Constant Current LED Driver.
Details:
Sec: 34VDC 700mA constant current
Pout: 1 to 6 X 3W.

Do I need anything else to drive the 6 LED's?.
I was actually thinking of getting 8 red and 2 violet (wired in parallel) would this same driver still do it? Do I need a resistor?
Thanks in advance.]]> 1 Mon, 20 Apr 2020 12:51:25 +0000 https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/mesh.1003/ https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/mesh.1003/ invalid@example.com (semiroundel) semiroundel Many thanks]]> 12 Tue, 31 Mar 2020 23:29:36 +0000 https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/diy-ats.984/ https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/diy-ats.984/ invalid@example.com (slirp87) slirp87

it is made in plexiglass 2mm , 3 x 14mm drains, 12x18cm mesh, 2.4w warm white led for each side , 24/7 , 1/2 cube a day, 400l/h pump.

the tank is 100 liters , 5 fish , sps , lps doft corals.]]> 20 Sat, 17 Aug 2019 16:18:43 +0000 https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/diy-aio-ats.987/ https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/diy-aio-ats.987/ invalid@example.com (dweingar) dweingar
I have the innovative marine red fuge light attached to back of IM 40 tank.

So now just hanging the cross stitch with a bubler under it in back chamber?

Do you leave bubbler on 24/7? I have lights on for 12.

Does this setup sound ok?]]> 1 Tue, 09 Jul 2019 12:44:52 +0000 https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/difference-red-light-and-cold-white.983/ https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/difference-red-light-and-cold-white.983/ invalid@example.com (tony73) tony73
I'm looking to make a DIY WATERFALL Scurbber ATS

In the past I used an algae reactor, 1st time I used Red led 660nm and a lot of Blue 440nm, 2nd time I used only white cold.

My concerns are that with WHITE COLD algae grow is more faster

But my question is: different light, as an example RED or WHITE, can grow different type of algae?

which light do you suggest for ATS?

Best regards
Antonio]]> 1 Sun, 19 May 2019 22:59:28 +0000 https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/santa-monica-rain2.982/ https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/santa-monica-rain2.982/ invalid@example.com (Hagbard) Hagbard 2 Mon, 10 Dec 2018 01:50:46 +0000 https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/new-diy-led-expandable-design-1-side-today-2-side-tomorrow.961/ https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/new-diy-led-expandable-design-1-side-today-2-side-tomorrow.961/ invalid@example.com (Soxedace) Soxedace I have a 90g reef tank, after doing some reading I "planned"
4x6in screen,

4 SemiLED DEEP RED (wired series)
2 SemiLED Royal Blue (wired parallel then series with red)
Steves LED Driver (single)
still working out the heatsink... rather not go with MAKERS.
Meanwell LPC-35-700.

My original idea was to create my acrylic ATS to be lit from one side and later down the road if I upgrade my tank or need more scrubbing...

NEW DIY LED, Expandable design 1 side today 2 side tomorrow,]]> 21 Fri, 05 Oct 2018 19:26:05 +0000 https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/new-to-scrubbing-and-reefing.970/ https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/new-to-scrubbing-and-reefing.970/ invalid@example.com (Green hair) Green hair was just wondering if this looks like it's on the right course. Scrubber being fed by return pump, lit both sides about 12 on 12 off. Feed a fair bit, average day, cube of mysis, cube of brine shrimp, cube of coppods, pinich or two of algea flake and some fine pellets. System water volume in total about 500lt. Any input welcome, oh yes scrubber been on for 3 weeks]]> 7 Sun, 26 Aug 2018 16:25:44 +0000 https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/how-does-this-growth-look.969/ https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/how-does-this-growth-look.969/ invalid@example.com (Reefrock) Reefrock 1 Tue, 24 Jul 2018 01:00:40 +0000 https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/welding-acrylic-for-ato-diy.966/ https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/welding-acrylic-for-ato-diy.966/ invalid@example.com (Soxedace) Soxedace Anybody point me to some good resources for welding acrylic for static pressure vessels... , thinking of making an ATO reservoir. 5.5in thick x 24 in x 20in tall....?
what do you guys think?]]> 1 Fri, 22 Jun 2018 15:41:25 +0000 https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/would-this-work.963/ https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/would-this-work.963/ invalid@example.com (Reefrock) Reefrock I was going to build a diy ats out of acylic. So i raided my fish closet and had this stuff just sitting there . My first ?
Is this to wide or does this put the lights to far from screen?
Which light should i use ?
How many gph? Pipe will have 8in slot. Mesh is going to be 8in wide and 11in long. 280gph?
Can the mesh be to big? 45...

Would this work?]]> Sun, 03 Jun 2018 00:10:54 +0000 https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/blown-leds.958/ https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/blown-leds.958/ invalid@example.com (Eseless) Eseless
I have been using and following the algae scrubber scene for some time now but only recently started using DIY lighting.

I built the lights from information gathered from several threads in the forum and they have been working flawlessly for several months now.

1x Meanwell LPC-35-700 driver
8x Luxeon ES deep red 660 leds (from stevesleds)

The fixtures are wired in parallel 4 leds each.

Well last night.. because of my low stocking...

BLown LEDs]]> 5