DIY Algae Turf Scrubber

Cleaner tanks lead to healthier fish.

An algal turf skimmer is an outside filtration skimmer that uses a screen to capture turf algae. The algae are then periodically scraped off, removing excess nitrates from the aquarium system. The algal turf skimmer helps preserve plankton diversity in the tank, which a protein skimmer may remove. Building your own protein skimmer can be completed with a bucket, a pump, a couple of lights and pieces you can find at your local hardware store.

Things You'll Need

• 5-gallon bucket
• Stiff screen
• Lights
• Light clips
• PVC pipe
• Pump
• Moto-tool
• Fittings
• Hose
• Gate valves

Instructions

1. Determine the screen width required for the tank. Each gallon of tank should equal 1 square inch on the screen. If you light the screen on both sides, the calculation will be simple. For example, a 12-gallon tank can use a screen that is 3 inches by 4 inches.

2. Calculate the amount of flow that must cover your screen. Each inch of width only needs to have 35 gallons of water flowing over it per hour. A 4-inch wide screen would require 140 gallons per hour of flow.

3. Adjust the pump to meet the screen's flow requirement. Attach the pump and fill a gallon jug with water. Time how long it takes to fill the jug. Multiply the number of seconds by 360 to get gallons per hour.

4. Cut the PVC pipe down the middle with a 1/8-inch saw. The length of the cut should match the width of your screen. A moto-tool like a Dremel will have a "wheel cutoff tool" that will work. Slide the screen into the cut hole.

5. Cut a hole for a drain in the 5-gallon bucket. The moto-tool will have a circular hole cutting tool. The hole size should be the same as the tubing size coming into the PVC pipe draining into the bucket. Seal with fittings found at hardware stores. Put the drain tube back into the tank.

6. Attach the pump tubing to the PVC pipe. A gate valve should be placed between the pump and the PVC pipe so that the flow can be turned off when needed. Hang the PVC pipe with the screen attached across the bucket at the top. The screen should touch the high water mark in the bucket.

7. Attach the lights using the clips as close to the screen as possible without getting them wet. The lights will encourage algal growth. Turn on the system. Monitor the water levels in the bucket. The water level should remain constant with the influx and draining of the water. If needed, cut a larger hole and tubing if the bucket may overflow.

8. Monitor the scrubber over the next week. Algae should begin growing within the first week. If it does not, adjust the lights or purchase more powerful ones. After the first week, remove algae from one side of the screen only with your hands. Rotate sides each week for algae to be removed. Do not remove all the algae from the screen at anytime or you have to begin the growing process over.

Tips & Warnings

• Select a screen with small holes. The screen needs to be stiff. Good screens may include plastic canvas, rug canvas, gutter guard or a tank-divider.

References

• Wet Web Media: How to Make a Simple Algae Turf Scrubber