DIY Algae Turf Scrubber

[Chris.Reef]

Wondering if anyone here has built a DIY algae turf scrubber. I am thinking about building one out of acrylic but wanted to see if anyone has sourced lights that are in similar design to adaptive reef. I can’t justify spending 800 dollars for something that I can probably build for 200. Thanks!

 

[BiGGiePauls33]

@scavdog

 

[afboundguy]

I built one way back in the day for $50'ish bucks. Stuck a powerhead in the sump and did a u shaped pvc stand and plumbed it into the top vertical piece and cut a strip and put some plastic mesh in there and lights on both sides. Worked really well but I like having a refugium over a turf scrubber so that's what I went with on my new setup...

 

[scavdog]

I employed one on my frag tank only because it had an open weir and a fair amount of room in the overflow compartment. The design warrants pictures, but in short, I mounted a mesh screen to a 1/2 round of pvc pipe. This allowed the screen to mount over the baffle and flush against the back panel of the weir. I then lit that overflow compartment on a reverse light cycle. Clean it once a month and it's good.

 

[Chris.Reef]

I employed one on my frag tank only because it had an open weir and a fair amount of room in the overflow compartment. The design warrants pictures, but in short, I mounted a mesh screen to a 1/2 round of pvc pipe. This allowed the screen to mount over the baffle and flush against the back panel of the weir. I then lit that overflow compartment on a reverse light cycle. Clean it once a month and it's good.

What did you use for a light?

 

[scavdog]

Tunze eco chic 8831

 

[Paul B]

Mine cost me about three bucks and has been working fine for years.

 

[Chris.Reef]

Ended up making one to sit on top of my sump with some extra acrylic that I had lying around. I am lighting it with my Neptune Gro on one side and I’ll wait and see if I need to add another light on the opposite side.

 

[lieberrhl]

It seems you have a lot of space. check this,

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no dripping noise, easy to clean, a storage container with lid (if light matters) from Ikea (juts drill holes)

 

[beantown_reefers]

Acrylic, dc coralbox 300, knitting grid, 3/4" pvc, Neptune refugium light.

 

[Chris.Reef]

Turf scrubber has been working well. I have been using the Neptune GRO for one side but I have decided I need a light on the other side. I picked up a light on Amazon and 3d printed a mount to attach to the ATS.

 

[lieberrhl]

My "energy saving" one. It utilizes sunlight even it has a refugium light.