Learn about and discuss the basic principles and theories behind the Algae Scrubber Fri, 13 Mar 2026 05:26:54 +0000 Fri, 13 Mar 2026 05:26:54 +0000 Algae Scrubbing https://www.algaescrubbing.com/forums/basic-principles.11/ Mon, 29 Jan 2018 22:09:34 +0000 https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/submerged-mesh-with-powerhead.939/ https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/submerged-mesh-with-powerhead.939/ invalid@example.com (Nstocks) Nstocks
I know that the screen needs a thin layer of water for optimal nutrient uptake amongst other things and I was thinking, what if a powerhead (or two) were placed next to the mesh screen to create laminar flow across it?

It would thin the water so to speak and provide new water constantly.

Has anyone experimented with this?]]> 1 Sat, 04 Feb 2017 19:24:34 +0000 https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/algae-growing-on-glass.865/ https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/algae-growing-on-glass.865/ invalid@example.com (tyrna) tyrna cheers]]> 6 Sun, 17 Jul 2016 02:05:21 +0000 https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/mortar-screen-tutorial.832/ https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/mortar-screen-tutorial.832/ invalid@example.com (Turbo) Turbo
]]> Tue, 29 Sep 2015 14:26:36 +0000 https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/phyto-cube-equivalent.733/ https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/phyto-cube-equivalent.733/ invalid@example.com (Adrian) Adrian 7 Wed, 09 Sep 2015 21:24:41 +0000 https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/scrubber-mounting-options.736/ https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/scrubber-mounting-options.736/ invalid@example.com (tom) tom i began snooping into these algae scrubbers and i must admit, i like what i see!
only thing i haven't really seen is how these are mounted/placed?
i seen the drain tube is on the bottom of the scrubber correct? can these be used as a remote external unit?
if anyone has pictures of how they have it setup, i would love to see!
thanks!]]> 1 Wed, 20 May 2015 20:06:42 +0000 https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/algae-scrubber-basics.264/ https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/algae-scrubber-basics.264/ invalid@example.com (Turbo) Turbo
Algae Scrubber Basics]]> 18 Sun, 11 Jan 2015 16:57:38 +0000 https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/vertical-ss-vs-slope-scrubber.529/ https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/vertical-ss-vs-slope-scrubber.529/ invalid@example.com (Pny) Pny 5 Sat, 13 Dec 2014 22:05:23 +0000 https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/sizing-a-scrubber-based-on-feeding-guideline-review.57/ https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/sizing-a-scrubber-based-on-feeding-guideline-review.57/ invalid@example.com (Allen Repashy) Allen Repashy
I am looking at the math given in the guidelines for sizing the scrubber and it doesn't seem to balance out when comparing dry feed to frozen at all. Maybe I am not visualizing what size a "Frozen Cube" is correctly, so please let me know what you think of these calculations. I manufacture foods, so I am always looking at things on a "dry matter basis" because that is how to compare apples to apples so to speak.

Frozen food cubes are typically 85%-90% moisture. FACT
My gel...

Sizing a scrubber based on feeding (guideline review)]]> 42 Sun, 09 Feb 2014 11:42:38 +0000 https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/freshwater-scrubber-water-chemistry.298/ https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/freshwater-scrubber-water-chemistry.298/ invalid@example.com (comet) comet
I have 2 goldfish and a Pleco in the tank and chemicals I have been testing for are ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. I've heard much about phosphate tests, but I'm not sure if that is applicable to a freshwater setup or not. Should I be testing the levels of other things in the tank?]]> 6 Mon, 16 Dec 2013 15:12:25 +0000 https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/cleaning-your-screen-with-tap-water-vs-saltwater.143/ https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/cleaning-your-screen-with-tap-water-vs-saltwater.143/ invalid@example.com (Turbo) Turbo
In the past, it has been recommended that algae screen cleanings should be done in tap water in order to kill baby copepods which tend to populate the screen, eat the algae, and cause detachment of algae from the screen. This is usually indicated by seeing a telltale circle of bare screen from detached growth. This is certainly still a possibility, but honestly I just don't see it that often anymore, and IMO it is...

Cleaning your screen with Tap Water vs. Saltwater]]> 6 Tue, 10 Dec 2013 04:08:21 +0000 https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/a-question-and-some-chemistry.232/ https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/a-question-and-some-chemistry.232/ invalid@example.com (Jlholimon) Jlholimon I am in the process of putting together a DIY ats for my tank, a new 75 gal mixed reef system that is an upgrade of my old 40. I have been reading here and elsewhere about different methods and results.
My inclination is to use a two sided water fall style with these two plant grow led rigs I found on Amazon. And powering the flow from my t split in my return line.

My question involves understanding salt water algea nutrient consumption. I found that in fresh water there has...

A question and some chemistry]]> 3 Mon, 09 Dec 2013 22:17:52 +0000 https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/flow-more-important-that-the-light.231/ https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/flow-more-important-that-the-light.231/ invalid@example.com (tebo) tebo



This is part of what will be my quarantine, the detail is that I get chaeto algae and had nowhere to put it,...

Flow more important that the light]]> 3 Sun, 27 Oct 2013 19:39:22 +0000 https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/feeding-guidelines-slashed.203/ https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/feeding-guidelines-slashed.203/ invalid@example.com (Garf) Garf http://www.algaescrubber.net/SantaMo...endage-PCT.pdf]]> 12 Thu, 12 Sep 2013 15:53:41 +0000 https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/water-changes-skimmer-and-lr.63/ https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/water-changes-skimmer-and-lr.63/ invalid@example.com (sabbath) sabbath
-Do I have enough live rock for a system with a scrubber?

-Do I need to do water changes now?

-Does running a skimmer put me into the I should do water changes category?

Thanks]]> 75 Thu, 12 Sep 2013 15:07:34 +0000 https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/screen-break-in-and-general-cleaning-procedures.153/ https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/screen-break-in-and-general-cleaning-procedures.153/ invalid@example.com (Turbo) Turbo
How often should I clean?
How much should I clean?
When & how should I clean a new screen?
How long is the break-in period?

So I put this together based on my experience and the interpreted experience of many others. Hopefully this will provide a more general guide to learning the answers to these questions.

When is a screen considered "mature" or "cured"?

In general, a screen is considered...

Screen Break-in and General Cleaning Procedures]]> 2 Sun, 07 Jul 2013 01:50:39 +0000 https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/substrate.155/ https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/substrate.155/ invalid@example.com (Garf) Garf 3 Wed, 26 Jun 2013 18:47:53 +0000 https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/intermediate-screen-cleaning.144/ https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/intermediate-screen-cleaning.144/ invalid@example.com (Turbo) Turbo
Instead of doing weekly full-screen cleanings, performing partial cleaning can help. There are several ways to do this.

The simplest method is to alternate cleaning of each side - clean only one side of the screen at a time, leaving the other side to grow for another week.

This doesn't necessarily mean that the side that does...

Intermediate Screen Cleaning]]> 1 Wed, 13 Mar 2013 19:14:07 +0000 https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/scrubbers-pods-and-the-nutrient-cycle.100/ https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/scrubbers-pods-and-the-nutrient-cycle.100/ invalid@example.com (Turbo) Turbo
Scrubbers, Pods, and the Nutrient Cycle]]> Tue, 29 Jan 2013 17:18:03 +0000 https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/external-standpipe-bypass-for-overflow-fed-scrubbers.82/ https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/external-standpipe-bypass-for-overflow-fed-scrubbers.82/ invalid@example.com (Turbo) Turbo
The question is, if I feed my scrubber directly from the overflow, how do I ensure that I don't cause my tank to overflow if the slot pipe clogs?

If you are running your scrubber from the siphon line of a BeanAnimal 3-pipe system, you already have a 2nd and 3rd pipe, and you have no worries, and can ignore this post. If you are running it from a Herbie, you may or may not be...

External standpipe bypass for overflow-fed scrubbers]]> Sat, 19 Jan 2013 01:23:42 +0000 https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/turkey-baster-to-rocks-might-be-bad.66/ https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/turkey-baster-to-rocks-might-be-bad.66/ invalid@example.com (sabbath) sabbath I used to hit the rocks with a turkey baster and did not hit one area at the back right. Ironically this area is the one area that did not have algae on the rocks. I started to hit this area a while back and now I'm starting to get algae there as well.

What are...

Turkey baster to rocks might be bad]]> 39