Algae Scrubber

thingiverse

This is the Algae Scrubber 2000. This simple but proven effective design helps lower and even eliminate nitrates and phosphates from your reef tank. I've designed it to fit in one of the back chambers of your all-in-one (AIO) reef tank and included both, 4" wide and 2" wide models with snug fitting lids. Both models are 8" long and 2" inches tall. Both float at the surface of the water. What you will need: 1. PETG filament in black. Use only PETG as it is food grade and reef tank safe. 2. Air pump (I use an EHEIM) 3. Air tubing 4. Air stone (I use the limewood ones, more bubbles, more O2.) 5. 7" submersible light. (One with some red LEDS is preferred but not required.) This one works great. (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VFPP8RB?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1) 6. Plastic knitting/craft mesh. Assembly: 1. Cut mesh to fit in scrubber box as shown in pictures. Leave enough room to easily pull it out for harvesting algae. 2. Use 80 grit sandpaper and spend some time sanding/roughing up both sides of the mesh. 3. Use zip ties to secure the mesh to the inside of scrubber box. 4. Install air tubing and air stone. Use the tubing loops to secure the tubing. 5. Install submersible light. 6. Install lid. 7. Drop into sump or AIO chamber of your reef tank. Other: This thing brought my nitrates from 20ppm to 0 after just 1 month of operation. Now I can feed my corals more without spiking nitrates in my tank. I'm harvesting algae once a month. It took about two weeks to start growing algae with the light on 24/7. Once algae starts noticeably growing begin checking your nitrates and watch them drop over the next few weeks.