500+ gallon Build

I very much want to hear about your algae scrubber design... I do have plenty of room and I was considering that.... what all do you have going there???

 

Progress report for the day...

1) Pressure tested the supply lines to the display tank and returns.
2) Plumbed the skimmer, GFO/Carbon and Cooler.
3) Drilled the Skimmer tank and Refugium Tank and installed bulkhead connectors.
4) Installed APEX Base Unit with Energy Bar 8, DC8 and DC4HD
5) Installed Wireless connection to APEX base unit.

Here's the APEX Base unit, Energy Bar 8 and Wireless connection before I put the cover plate on. I installed all the switch boxes and controllers in weather proof boxes to keep salt evaporation, water etc. from bothering them. They are all also installed high, above tanks.

 

This is the DC4HD with the cover plate installed. Obviously, I haven't finished with wire bundle management yet.

You also see the skimmer tank on the right and the refugium tank on the left with the new bulkeads installed.

 

This picture shows under my display tank. This DC8 has the lights, and circulation fans inside the tank. Also seen are the supply and return lines. What I LOVE about this set up it that is it for under the tank.... supply/return lines... straight... minimal joints for failure modes for leaks... and a DC8 for only the loads directly associated with the display tank. Wire management not complete yet.... I'll clean that up.

 

Whoa huge day! Love the water proof boxes.

 

Reverse Durso on the outlets. Super quiet.

 

It is an old and simple concept. Set up an area in your system where the conditions are maximized for algae growth. If done properly this area will out-compete the system for nutrients. The rest of the system will not grow algae. I used to live in Nashville, and my system there had a remote deep sand bed an old style algae scrubber. I could buy hair algae covered rock and put in my system. 2-3 weeks late the algae would be gone. When you clean the algae scrubber you export nitrate, phosphate and other trace elements. No need for chemical scrubbers.
Over the last several years there have been technical improvement to the Algae scrubber. The water fall type lighted on both sides with high current flow are much more efficient than the old style, but they require high intensity light.
When I built mine, I decided that I wanted to run it on a different light schedule. It runs from 4 pm to 8 am and I didn't want the lights on in my fish room all night, so I built a cabinet. I oversized mine and have led lighting that can be turned up to increase algae growth. That way I can balance it against my feeding level.
I based my design on data supplied by http://www.reef2reef.com/forums/do-yourself-diy/63113-algae-scrubber-basics.html. Be sure about your light selection. See who else has used them with success.
Need any help, let me know.

 

Sump room is 99% complete. GFO/Carbon scrubber installed on the right. RO/DI unit installed on the back install with ATO. Still waiting on shipment for correct power converter for my booster pump and additional tubing to route the supply line and waste line. New Reef Octopus Class 200 is breaking in. I decided to go with a smaller "interim skimmer" while I am "only running" the 120 gallon display. I will upgrade to a larger skimmer when I upgrade to a larger display tank.

As you can see, I decided to play around with a Deep Sand Bed below the skimmer. I had some extra sand.... all the water depth just sitting there... figured I'd give it a try.

All the plumbing is complete. Since that picture, I've cleaning up all the wiring... so all the wiring is complete.

To Do List...
1) RO/DI.... waiting on shipments for power converter and tubing to complete installation of RO/DI and ATO.
2) Waiting on Shipment of a new chiller... rather bummed that my old chiller crapped out so I had to buy a new one.
3) Refugium lights are my old DT lights... they aren't working too well... may need to replacement.
4) Placed an order yesterday for new test kits and salt and new two chemicals.

Get those four things done... then I will drain the whole system... refill with RO/DI and then the FUN begins...

 

congratulations on the strong progress nasa! I just saw windy's post of his set-up with the algae scrubber - pretty darn impressive!