Reckon this will work?

Built a similar thing to Garfs BADASS to replace a little waterfall that I've had running for a while. Not convinced it's going to work though.

Vid here https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/59581966/20131110_125932.mp4

The screen is ceramic tile (104 sq inches). The water level in the chamber is 2 inches. The bulbs are 2 x 15w 2700k CFL spots and are approx 4 inches from the water surface (so 6 inches from the screen). Flow is about 800 (175 gals) litres per hour direct from the overflow. The green on the screen has not grown on it's own, I rubbed it in with an old live waterfall screen. Tank size is about 55 gal, feeding 1.5-ish cubes a day

This is day 1

Suspect it will need more light. Thoughts?

 

I've used ceramic tiles before and they worked well, I stopped as I suspected they were leaching silicates into the water and feeding diatroms, but in hindsight I reckon there was another cause.

 

Considering getting a 40 watt version of this for this thing - Thoughts?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12W-40W-6...e_Warmers_Coolers_LE&var=&hash=item3a83d789b3

 

Thanks for that Turbo, I'll contact them and order one with 2 blues.

 

After 3 days - Starting to fill in a little, particularly around the inlet where most of the turbulence is.

 

1 week

 

Had a peek at "the thing" this morning (day 12) and found that the algae was starting to peel off in one place. Decided this was not optimal so took the tiles out for further inspection.




The algae was mostly that jelly like stuff, so scraped it off before it fell off.



The scrapings weighed 24 grams, just over an ounce which is about what I've been getting per week with my most recent waterfall (although this is different algae so it's not comparing like with like filtration wise)

Tested phosphate a few days ago and it read 0.03, up from 0.00 a week before. Will test again in another couple of days.

Have to go away on Wednesday for a week to ten days so it will be interesting to see what it looks like after that.

 

Yes I suspect light is the major limiting factor. Have to make something to reduce splashing too as the underside of the bulbs keep getting covered in salt.

Still waiting for the slow boat from China to deliver that LED floodlight thing.

 

Thanks.

It did occur to me to redirect the flow across the tiles but it wouldn't help with bubbles as there is air already mixed in from the overflow in the DT.

I think I'm going to have to install some sort of splash guard though as the bulbs are getting encrusted with salt.

 

Back from me travels to find very disappointing growth




Course this probably didn't help (both lamps)

 

On the plus side my chinese LED waterproof lamp has arrived.

On the down side they've buggered it up and it looks like this




Was supposed to be two blues and 18 reds

 

The thing appears to be growing again now.

Lamp update. Chinese supplier offered me a 9 dollar refund (less than 20%). Replied that the lamp is no use to me and suggested that they make & send a new LED panel and I'll switch them over myself (took it apart and it's easy enough). That was two days ago and they've ignored me since. Tossers.

Just emailed em again - if no reply I'll reclaim from Paypal.

Shame as the lamp itself is very well made.

 

The thing is starting to fill in with GHA now, after its little setback