HOW TO: Algae scrubber SUPER CHARGED

Рет қаралды 263,539

8 жыл бұрын

Building an algae scrubber for your aquarium is yet another way to battle nitrates in your aquarium while keeping the display nuisance algae free.
Get the ultimate DIY book ► thekingofdiy.com
Follow me ► / uarujoey
Original scrubber ► goo.gl/uPGuQy
No more water changes ► goo.gl/aqIv2S
EASY nitrate removal ► goo.gl/7wKsQg
Supplies to build this algae scrubber:
660nm solderless LED (Photo red) X4
440nm solderless LED(Royal blue) X2
1 Thermal adhesive
1 nano disable driver w/potentiometer
1 Driver jumper
1 End plug
2 containers
Needlepoint plastic mesh
Reflective aluminum tape
"Hagen A955 Elite Air bubbler” (UPC code : 15561109550)
Air pump and airline hose sized to your tank/height of water

Пікірлер: 279

@absentmindedstudios 7 жыл бұрын

Watching your older videos, and recent videos back to back really show how much you've improved over time. I love it. Thanks for providing all of these great videos, even tho I don't plan on doing most of these builds, I still find much enjoyment watching them.

@WhatIsMisophonia 2 жыл бұрын

IDK, I prefer his older videos because: 1. That's where most of his diy stuff is; these days he just buys what he needs, and 2. These are actually set up like instructional videos, where as his newer stuff is him just off the cuff and pointing at stuff like most people do.

@thekingofdiy 8 жыл бұрын

Original scrubber ► goo.gl/uPGuQy No more water changes ► goo.gl/aqIv2S EASY nitrate removal ► goo.gl/7wKsQg Supplies to build this algae scrubber: 660nm solderless LED (Photo red) X4 440nm solderless LED(Royal blue) X2 1 Thermal adhesive 1 nano disable driver w/potentiometer 1 Driver jumper 1 End plug 2 containers Needlepoint plastic mesh Reflective aluminum tape "Hagen A955 Elite Air bubbler” (UPC code : 15561109550) Air pump and airline hose sized to your tank/height of water

@ssj4vrn 8 жыл бұрын

+The king of DIY So if we use this it will oxygenate, remove nitrates ...so we dont need to do any water changes?

@GroinFaceGroin 8 жыл бұрын

+Varun m Always do water changes no matter what.

@tootsiexd8469 8 жыл бұрын

+The king of DIY what is better the algae scrubber or the aquaponics system. I'm just trying to not do as much work on my tank as im struggling for time at the moment. Hope you can help, thanks :)

@theAmdisen391 8 жыл бұрын

+The king of DIY did you read my mind. only way to bio filter the right way :D

@nolanquinn1046 8 жыл бұрын

+The king of DIY I've always wondered here you got that awesome drill bit

@davewoods8717 8 жыл бұрын

Great project Joey! Liked the camera rolling by the build; very professional look! Thanks!

@timdillon3616 8 жыл бұрын

Really great video going to install one on my 80 gallon sump for my 300 gallon fresh water system. I watch all your videos and am a huge fan of your well laid out shows. Keep up the great work.

@eamonnfountain240 3 жыл бұрын

Hi Joey, parts arrived today and I've been busy making my own Algae Scrubber, can't wait for the new Aquarium to set it up.. Thanks again fella Your Videos are AWSEOME !! Thanks Eamonn from the UK

@ph4s3sh1ft6 8 жыл бұрын

Awesome scrubber! I'd love to see an update on this video

@MannyDer 8 жыл бұрын

For all the people wondering about heat... I built this last week with small trash can bottoms, that way it was black. I used the Rapidled lights & dimmer, same everything as far as that goes. I ended up putting a bunch of computer heat sinks on my light side, even fully cranked these light don't put off much heat, I don't feel that I needed the heat sinks, but it does look kinda cool. I used a couple Xbox 360 heat sinks with the separate part coming off the top. I dubbed it the Franken-scrubber, I'm going to try to get a video up of it today. Great design, thanks so much

@nathanhull4472 4 жыл бұрын

Did it work well?

@canasman11 8 жыл бұрын

Awesome video Joey. You make it look so simple. This is so cost effective, I will try this in my Clownfish growout setup. Thanks again for great videos!!

@LowTechTank 8 жыл бұрын

wow even building the lights! great work this is definitely an upgrade from the last one.

@PaulBlaney 7 жыл бұрын

thanks for sharing this Joey. I'm in need of one and can't see paying what they're asking it's cray cray lol. happy new years !!

@jrenee1040 7 жыл бұрын

And somehow I'm the only one that assumed this would be a pointless video on a algae scrubber for cleaning off aquarium glass. LOL its 3am, maybe it's time to go to bed.

@skillz_311 7 жыл бұрын

don't feel bad, the name is deceiving! i asked someone how to lower nitrates and they said algae scrubber.....i also thought this meant to scrub algae. lol

@eamonnfountain240 3 жыл бұрын

Just spent a hour on Amazon sourcing all the bits, I'm waiting for a new aquarium to be delivered, so i'll have it all made and ready when it arrives Thanks Joey Loving your videos, apart from your Rays video, my wife saw me watching and is now saying we need rays in our home, I better start saving lol..

@dablu3sid3 6 жыл бұрын

This is freakin epic, you were way ahead of your time Joey.

@Brandon240Kelly 8 жыл бұрын

How well would this work for a saltwater tank? Love the videos. Thanks

@pershop4950 5 жыл бұрын

wow those were some nice and powerful LED lights. Thanks for the helpful video!

@MrRvbrown 8 жыл бұрын

Super Charged for sure!! Very nice and clean scrubber!!

@thekingofdiy 8 жыл бұрын

+MrRvbrown :)

@mellewedin8221 6 жыл бұрын

For real I love your channel man. Thank you so much for sharing all this info. You have helped me out so much man.

@robxmccarthy 8 жыл бұрын

Nice work, that looks like a great compact scrubber.

@murissun9849 8 жыл бұрын

so happy you did this is have been looking up ideas but thanks for making easy this video help so mush that's why your the really DIY KING thanks hey from Toronto

@joshgranstrom4689 8 жыл бұрын

another awsome video joey!

@danielnelson5142 8 жыл бұрын

Love the vids man! It has helped me out tons. Do you have any thoughts on which algae scrubber style, up flow or waterfall, is better for nutrient export. I'm thinking of building a scrubber soon. Thanks.

@MixedReefChannel 7 жыл бұрын

Your a Godsend to the hobbyist world!!!

@jad1217 7 жыл бұрын

Always look watching your videos! Can you do a update on this algae scrubber? How it worked with the Red and Blue LEDs?

@ramukmacias 8 жыл бұрын

Damn Joey! Back at it again with the DIY.

@SahilKhan-bp7ei 3 жыл бұрын

man! you're knowledge in fish tanks are unmatched

@anthonypope7611 8 жыл бұрын

I love your DIY stuff keep up the good work and good videos as well I just want to ask the algae scrubber is that put in your tank so the algae does not go in your tank and keeps of your plants and glass is that who it works cheers happy fish keeping

@jonathancarroll4536 8 жыл бұрын

you are the best...easy to follow...question for you...most of these are built outside the water with the water trickling over them...yours is inside the tank...which is better and what are the pros ans cons to both

@haibach7054 8 жыл бұрын

Awesome Joey.

@treffryraxter 8 жыл бұрын

Looking forward to an update video when it's going on a live tank, maybe do a few progress clips as it seed then gets to really working and mesh them together?

@mynameismattbaum 7 жыл бұрын

Love your videos Joey. I'm curious though. I have an internal overflow in my 90g tank that I'm considering turning into a giant Algae scrubber. It seems like the flow from the overflow is good enough that I wouldn't need an air pump. Just the red and blue LEDs in a box I'm building and a long piece of needlepoint mesh. The overflow is made of black acrylic so it wouldn't affect my tank to have the scrubber LED's running on a night schedule. Any thoughts?

@jamdiversified9698 5 жыл бұрын

7:43 Well at least we can grow algae on the space station now, just stick this thing outside and point it up!

@jeremydowdy1034 8 жыл бұрын

NEEDED THIS. Thanks Joey!

@thekingofdiy 8 жыл бұрын

+Jeremy Dowdy Your welcome!

@CarlosGarcia-mm5pv 4 жыл бұрын

Hey Joey, love the videos! Can I get specifics on light parts and wiring? TY

@anthonyjaimes3648 8 жыл бұрын

thanks! i needed this. i have a question. do you know if it is is possible to paint my canopy a comepletely whole different color or no.

@abc-coleaks-info3180 8 жыл бұрын

Cool video Joey, thank you!

@kirkboon861 7 жыл бұрын

Hey Joey, love your channel, and subbed to your FaceBook channel. I learn a lot. Question for you though, do you need blue lights in a scrubber, or can you just go with the red? Thanks again for the help!

@BType13X2 6 жыл бұрын

due to my gardening hobby I have a bunch of Blue/Red LED grow lights I am going to make one of these for my tank but put one of my grow lights in the shroud instead. That way I won't have to tinker with getting the color spectrum correct and I already have the lights and timers for it. I really like this skimmer solution.

@trig 8 жыл бұрын

Smart! I wonder if k1's increased surface area would be of an advantage?

@samdhoss 3 жыл бұрын

Wow. I have much to learn. Nice vid.

@nicolem376 5 жыл бұрын

I love your videos and I’ve been watching for years. I really want to make this and tho I’m pretty handy at doing my own builds I have never worked with DIY led strips. It seems like everyone just shows it in high speed or with no detailed explanation (as if it’s common knowledge) so maybe I’m the only one not in the loop 🤔 Is there a chance you could do a video focused on how that works and how to assemble it? Like “for dummies” who don’t know what the different parts are that you’re talking about. If you’ve already made a video like that can you link it in case I am not finding it? I have made several of your DIY’s in the past and I’m hoping to make this one too! I appreciate all the time and effort you put into this channel. It has greatly improved my fish keeping. Thank you!!!

@FishBehindGlass 8 жыл бұрын

Nice compact design.

@jasonredman839 7 жыл бұрын

So to add an algae scrubber to the overhead sump, do you need to use an air pump? or do you lay the knitting mesh on top of the media so the water just passes over it? will that be sufficient?

@michalp.4975 5 жыл бұрын

Do you have to use air pump to create the flow? Why can't you use small water pump (quieter) any cons? Cheers! Great tutorial !

@MJSGHK 3 жыл бұрын

Great video man. Just a quick question. If you were to incorporate magnets instead of using the suction cup to hold the inside and outside parts what sort of magnets would you use? What about the effect of saltwater on the magnets and vice versa? Will the magnets exposed to saltwater harm the fish?

@gsnake911 7 жыл бұрын

I really like your video, and I'm researching products for this products. So, why didn't you add the reflective tape to the algae side? Also, how long would you recommend the drive wire to be and wire length between the LED's?

@9jfd1 Жыл бұрын

You dont want aluminum tape in the water......

@jeffcarreiro8766 8 жыл бұрын

Algae scrubber on steroids big thumbs up.

@AquaDesignHK 8 жыл бұрын

Is that aluminium tapes provide enough cooling for power leds?

@el3g3le 7 жыл бұрын

I am going to do similar, but use 6.5k cree led on a cut up cookie pan. Thanks for the tut

@CarstenDittrich2014 7 жыл бұрын

Woud you add one of these to a sump?

@ethanmay4535 6 жыл бұрын

Awesome! Sorry, I'm a newb. Can i put this in my sump for a reef aquarium?? Thanks!

@zainhaider8362 8 жыл бұрын

You should use a tin foil tray for the light holder...then you don't need extra tape and the heat sink will be more efficient. Doing the same on the inter container is double the light the algae gets.

@huckilt 3 жыл бұрын

Isn’t aluminum bad for fish?

@JFerguson777 3 жыл бұрын

@@huckilt The aluminum is outside the water column.

@huckilt 3 жыл бұрын

@@JFerguson777 he said a tin foil tray for the light holder and doing the same on the inner container doubles the light the algae gets. If you have a tin foil tray in the water it’s in the water column wether you think so or not. Water +metal+ oxygen= no good. It’s gonna leach into the water over time. Had the same problem using a brass fitting on my scrubber.

@ArtyMars 2 жыл бұрын

@@huckilt You could also put a sheet of reflective perspex or a mirror with a coat of epoxy or silicone on the back to help reflect light without exposing the tank to any metals etc :D

@9jfd1 Жыл бұрын

No tape in the water

@coffield1961 8 жыл бұрын

My 110 gallon aquarium is built into the wall in my foyer and I am having a small problem with algae I think from the morning sun. Will a algae scrubber help with this?Or should I put some UV film on the window?

@nachosinmay 7 жыл бұрын

should i use this one or the original one for a 75 gallon with a 15 gallon sump

@christopherhall130 7 жыл бұрын

Does this have to go in the main tank or can it go in a sump tank? If it goes into the sump should it go before the bio filter or can it be placed after the bio filter?

@PandiTheBear 5 жыл бұрын

If this is going into a sump that already has a refugium and plant LED light, could you use a clear plastic thing to hold it and avoid an external cover? Maybe cover it with a white background to reflect as much light (if any) as possible back at the knitting thing?

@spoiledfish6643 6 жыл бұрын

great video

@ashtee5837 8 жыл бұрын

How hot would those LED's get? An what camera do you use to shoot?

@ekong85 8 жыл бұрын

i like the dimmer option!

@iantheinventor8151 2 жыл бұрын

Does it need an air pump or could the return water from the external filter be used?

@finnaquarium6388 8 жыл бұрын

Very nice. Can you maybe make a short vid on how you make your videos.

@That0Homeless0Guy 5 жыл бұрын

You could easily place this into your sump right? And it should compete with the tank algae still or am I mistaken?

@calv83 8 жыл бұрын

Any chance of making a drop in (submersible) algae scrubber?

@Cheetorblz 4 жыл бұрын

Exactly like Santa Monica filters Hog. Which was first yours out theirs?

@MJ0U812 3 жыл бұрын

Man that's bright great job.

@julianortega24 7 жыл бұрын

If the tank is in a highly lit room and gets a lot of algae growth would this still outcompete the regular growth throughout the tank?

@RobMakowski 8 жыл бұрын

How does the performance of this compare to the waterfall type?

@nocinaus 8 жыл бұрын

Been wanting to do this since I saw the last video on it. Might do it this week. Hate the algae in my tank. Just need to figure out how big for a 60 gallon.

@dianeewing2918 3 жыл бұрын

I built the original scrubber. A little bit of algae grew but it didn't continue to grow and was black. I used a grow light both red and blue spectrum. I'm wondering if the light is too strong?

@reefjunkies6197 7 жыл бұрын

Have you noticed the change in algae in your tank after adding the Ellie scrubber because I'm thinking of making my own LED algae scrubber with the parts you posted on your webpage

@Tanktanium Жыл бұрын

It seems as though the hardline bubbler from Hagen/Marina is no longer available anywhere. Are there any good alternatives?

@thomaswhudson 8 жыл бұрын

Will this also help with pods?

@herschslawnspray1453 8 жыл бұрын

If you were to scrape it off into a tropheus tank would they eat it all? If they didn't eat it all would it die and screw up the water or just continue to grow at the bottom of a bare bottom tank?

@erick6102 8 жыл бұрын

Very happy with the algae scrubber I built based on the old video. They totally work!

@DrzBrah 7 жыл бұрын

How long did it take to start growing algae? Did you go with rapid led?

@erick6102 7 жыл бұрын

I have a chamber in my sump dedicated to algae growing. I just used a lower kelvin rated bulb (2700, LED, 6 watts) that I picked up on Amazon for 5 bucks. I started getting algae after about a week. Once it started showing up, it exploded. I have to clean it out once every 90 days or so (it's a big chamber in comparison- fits two sheets of knitting mesh).

@mjinxed7754 6 жыл бұрын

How long should it take to start building algae? I've had mine running for a week now 9 hours a day and so far zero algae buildup.

@kevintmckay 3 жыл бұрын

Is the airpump just to move the water or does the oxygen increase the algae growth? If I just used a power head to move the water would the algea still grow as well?

@wedoba 8 жыл бұрын

I'm really gonna have to give this a go , maybe in a few days. thanks again for the great project. ^_^

@thekingofdiy 8 жыл бұрын

+wedoba Your welcome

@timmlombardo9267 8 жыл бұрын

Just what I've been looking for! Thanks Joey!

@thekingofdiy 8 жыл бұрын

+Timm Lombardo Perfect!

@ormandgibson6681 8 жыл бұрын

+The king of DIY can a fish be shipped to the bahamas

@thekingofdiy 8 жыл бұрын

+Ormand Gibson No clue, I live in Canada. Never shipped a fish outside of my country.

@ormandgibson6681 8 жыл бұрын

@yuvabalan3900 3 жыл бұрын

Hi Joey, love from Malaysia. I think you mixed up the Blue and red LED nm at 6:09. I think Blue is at 440nm and Red at 660 nm ?

@TaeSlash 8 жыл бұрын

Hi, without cooling how will the leds not burn quickly? As I can see, they have only an aluminium sheet, they're in a box of plastic, I think they will get too warn and loose quickly their efficiency, no?

@thepenicillindeath 7 жыл бұрын

i have a betta that had fin rot in my aquarium how long will it take to grow back on the fins

@pluschowstr 3 жыл бұрын

What color is best for the led's? I have a bunch of red ones...

@kaldenkyulo4100 Жыл бұрын

Do I need a case if I’m using in the back of a AIO tank ?

@renedudoussat8821 5 жыл бұрын

Would those LED tape strip lights be good enough? They come in waterproof versions so I wouldn’t need to worry about splash :)

@Mitrasto22 3 жыл бұрын

What type or what colors have you used the LEDs?

@tedfisher1396 4 жыл бұрын

Where can I find the exact led driver that was used in this porject?

@Karneallota 7 жыл бұрын

Wouldn't adhesive LED strips be a lot easier and cheaper?

@leonardoalcantara1491 5 жыл бұрын

this algae scrubber is for freshwater or saltwater?

@TheDoogie321 8 жыл бұрын

Do you happen to know if saltwater algae would use the same light wavelengths as the freshwater algae?

@CJSAQUARIUMS 8 жыл бұрын

Nice video man... The LED part seems a little intimidating for the avg. hobbyist .. I have a couple questions. How many LEDs would u recommend for a 4x10inch space... I'm interested in trying this on my all in one reef... Would be a nano version of this. Also do you think the benefits of having the pump pull air from outside to go through the scrubber would make it more productive? Main Benifit I'm looking for is reduced algae in my reef and more importantly trying to help my CO2 and ph problems.. Naturally without having to open windows and all the other tricks we know...

@thekingofdiy 8 жыл бұрын

+CJ'S AQUARIUMS The solderless leds make this EASY. Just clip them together and glue them in place. Entirely fool proof! trust me. You really only need a couple LEDs for something that size. I used twice as much as i needed in this project. I did because the driver could handle that many, plus the price increase is only a few dollars. I figured i would leave myself a lot of room for upgrades without having to buy more supplies. One of the most efficient ways to run a scrubber is to have it out of the water... have water pumped over it like a water fall. Not everyone can accommodate something like that though, so the air driven method is one i like to advocate as anyone can build it and install it on any system. It doesnt really matter where the air is pulled from, all we want is the water to be forced over the mesh. We use air as a cheap and easy way to do this. Like any air lift.

@CJSAQUARIUMS 8 жыл бұрын

+The king of DIY sounds good... I'll have to look into the LEDs and the appropriate driver for it.. If you ever have time maybe you can have a complete series on DYI nano or all on one reef projects lol... I'd be happy to try them on my tank or even pay u to make me something 👍🏾👍🏾. Appreciate the feed back. Be easy!

@thekingofdiy 8 жыл бұрын

+CJ'S AQUARIUMS I actually have a small tank build that MIGHT get turned into a reef! We'll see though.

@CJSAQUARIUMS 8 жыл бұрын

+The king of DIY I'll have my 🍿 & 🍻 ready for that day... The saltwater market Is waiting for you. Prob double your subscribers over night

@thekingofdiy 8 жыл бұрын

+CJ'S AQUARIUMS haha don't know about that!! Cube tank or drop off tank? I could do either.

@edozexofiano8096 6 жыл бұрын

Hi, i have a problem green water on my goldfish tank. Its possible to remove green water with install this? Need your help :)

@joegonzalez7704 7 жыл бұрын

Were did you order leds and ballest from thanks

@quinbecker6785 4 жыл бұрын

I know I'm way late on this video but I have a question. Any real benefit to having the two sides different depths or can a person use 2 of the same thing just as well?

@PoPo-li2cf 4 жыл бұрын

I think that this is so the lights have more place to reflect off. So more surface will be hit by the light. Making the inner side thinner just leaves more space in the sump i guess

@evaneversole8546 7 жыл бұрын

what tank did you put it in

@chefroger84 6 жыл бұрын

Did you ever do an update video on this scrubber?

@ThePolishedball 3 жыл бұрын

I know this is an old video but did your call the red LEDs 440 and the Blues 660? it is opposite of that iirc

@MrEye4get 4 жыл бұрын

Algae is growing on the glass in my sump and not inside the scrubber (green grabber) Monica HOG 2.0. What can I do?

@mikemosley77 7 жыл бұрын

Would this be a bad idea for a planted tank? I want to build one right now, but I'm wondering if it will do the same robbing of resources to my plants as it does to the tank algae. Hope someone can chime in even though this is an older video. Thanks in advance if you do! :)

@EduardoDiaz-co6is 7 жыл бұрын

Just got done building the setup with a few modification. Thanks for the video!

@damianuadamus 2 жыл бұрын

I'm just wondering how ur algae scrubber works?

@eugeniovazquez7444 8 жыл бұрын

Excellent video Joey , like I said you're an engineer, 👍 The LEDs will not get hot that it will melt the plastic right?

@thekingofdiy 8 жыл бұрын

+Eugenio Vazquez The tape will help diffuse the heat. Leave those LEDs on long enough though and your in for some trouble no matter how they are installed. Put them on a timer. test running times. See what works best for your set up.