HOW TO: Algae scrubber SUPER CHARGED

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
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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

[@absentmindedstudios]

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]

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.

[@MannyDer]

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]

Did it work well?

[@eamonnfountain240]

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

[@eamonnfountain240]

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..

[@davewoods8717]

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

[@dablu3sid3]

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

[@SahilKhan-bp7ei]

man! you're knowledge in fish tanks are unmatched

[@ph4s3sh1ft6]

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

[@Brandon240Kelly]

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

[@timdillon3616]

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.

[@treffryraxter]

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?

[@BType13X2]

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.

[@MixedReefChannel]

Your a Godsend to the hobbyist world!!!

[@canasman11]

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!!

[@MrRvbrown]

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

[@thekingofdiy]

+MrRvbrown :)

[@zainhaider8362]

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]

Isn’t aluminum bad for fish?

[@JFerguson777]

@@huckilt The aluminum is outside the water column.

[@huckilt]

@@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]

@@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]

No tape in the water

[@erick6102]

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

[@DrzBrah]

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

[@erick6102]

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).

[@pershop4950]

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

[@jrenee1040]

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]

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

[@LowTechTank]

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

[@jamdiversified9698]

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

[@jonathancarroll4536]

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

[@robxmccarthy]

Nice work, that looks like a great compact scrubber.

[@nicolem376]

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!!!

[@el3g3le]

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

[@PaulBlaney]

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 !!

[@EduardoDiaz-co6is]

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

[@jad1217]

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

[@finnaquarium6388]

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

[@gsnake911]

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]

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

[@MJSGHK]

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?

[@anthonypope7611]

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

[@trig]

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

[@LukeAlm]

Are you ever concerned about the plastic or rubber being aquarium or food safe? bpa, chemicals, etc... Thanks for your videos!

[@TheOpelkoenjas]

That's why you have beneficial bacteria in your tank and filter system. I do get what you're saying tho. Eventually - after a very long time tho, years even - to much harmful chemicals might start to leak into your water. Plastic does get brittle after a while. But I guess by that time a new has replaced the old one (overabundance of algae). ;)

[@aznyoyo1883]

making this for one of my ray tanks. buying everything from his videos from rapid led is about 60$ and 12$ shipping. so about 72$. gonna try to find one that fits a 55 gallon. it will actually fit in a moving bed filter chamber. just need to find the aluminum tape and some containers and suction cups. total cost rounds about 100$

[@MJ0U812]

Man that's bright great job.

[@mellewedin8221]

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

[@samdhoss]

Wow. I have much to learn. Nice vid.

[@murissun9849]

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

[@bigproper3438]

red is in the 660 range and blue is in the 440 range not other way around

[@nocinaus]

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.

[@ethanmay4535]

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

[@eugeniovazquez7444]

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

[@thekingofdiy]

+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.

[@ekong85]

i like the dimmer option!

[@Cjx0r]

If you found yourself with some free time in the future, I'd like to request a video of like a flow comparison from a pump to using a bubbler. A lot of your projects you use air bubbles to generate flow, and it obviously works but every time I see you use it in a project, I always just kinda went "ehh". It's probably because the air bubbles move water indirectly versus a pump that directly moves the water that makes me think it can't be as efficient, but I'm sure a lot of projects it's just right for. I feel like maybe if I had some data to go off of, it would get rid of that little nacking in the back of my head that thinks it's not very efficient. You obviously know what you're doing and it obviously does work, it would just be assuring to see the comparison and it might be an easy enough topic to make a video of.

[@FishBehindGlass]

Nice compact design.

[@michalp.4975]

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 !

[@LostSoulCorner]

Nice Project. Is there a follow-up video? How did it work-out? Your not going to leave us "hanging'", are you?

[@williamtasker7882]

Are you still planning on doing a follow up video to show how the scrubber has been working?

[@jeffcarreiro8766]

Algae scrubber on steroids big thumbs up.

[@quinbecker6785]

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]

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

[@ramukmacias]

Damn Joey! Back at it again with the DIY.

[@CarlosGarcia-mm5pv]

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

[@danielnelson5142]

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.

[@PandiTheBear]

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?

[@ericj1500]

So my question is whether or not you would actually use a scrubber on a freshwater tank, I've seen them on reef tanks but not really on freshwater? Great video thanks for sharing.

[@thekingofdiy]

+Eric Jeffries Of course!

[@yuvabalan3900]

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 ?

[@reefjunkies6197]

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

[@iantheinventor8151]

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

[@kevintmckay]

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?

[@TheDoogie321]

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

[@ThePolishedball]

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

[@CJSAQUARIUMS]

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]

+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]

+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]

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

[@CJSAQUARIUMS]

+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]

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

[@jackhouchin2100]

will algae creep out of the container sides into the tank? top video by the way./

[@Tanktanium]

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

[@evaneversole8546]

blues are 440 reds are 660 roughly I THINK (key word) that was backwards

[@ZoeyR86]

your correct (I design Lighting systems) the lack of a real heat sink on the LED's scares me other then that like the vid

[@nekkocooper5132]

Stop thinking. You're a moron

[@jeremydowdy1034]

NEEDED THIS. Thanks Joey!

[@thekingofdiy]

+Jeremy Dowdy Your welcome!

[@julianortega24]

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?

[@dianeewing2918]

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?

[@herschslawnspray1453]

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?

[@unknowncuyler5449]

hey Joey just a thought for improvement. do you think you could improve the efficiency by increasing the number of mesh screens? I would think if it had a couple layers of surfaces to grow on might improve the chances of nitrate removal. keep up the great work!

[@madeacake]

I'm wondering the same, would adding multiple layers of mesh make this more efficient

[@unknowncuyler5449]

+Itzy Klein exactly for another dollar get another mesh screen and it would effectively double the effectiveness without increasing size.

[@ashrafghanem9415]

+unknown cuyler the second mesh screen might not allow enough light to the first particularly with algae, perhaps aligning 1 inch mesh strips perpendicular to the container might allow enough light for all and increase surface area

[@unknowncuyler5449]

+Ashraf Ghanem no way! I grow weed with LED lights. they have so much penetration it will penetrate up to 3 feet with enough power. he has a very weak light. maybe just adding twice as much lights if you are worried about not enough light.

[@kirkboon861]

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!

[@Andreas-gh6is]

Did you try to measure if this actually increases the nitrate clearing rate of an aquarium?

[@RobMakowski]

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

[@That0Homeless0Guy]

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

[@Cheetorblz]

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

[@huckilt]

If the power goes out and you run a battery powered air pump how will you light it?

[@CarstenDittrich2014]

Woud you add one of these to a sump?

[@Desolator777]

You got the wavelengths reversed. Royal blue is around 440nm range while red is 660nm range. Still, great video and I look forward to seeing your new videos every week! :)

[@thekingofdiy]

+Raphael Loh Yes, i know. I have the description correct and there is a pop up. I know the difference, I simply did the voice over for this at 3am in the morning... was just tired.

[@abc-coleaks-info3180]

Cool video Joey, thank you!

[@Mitrasto22]

What type or what colors have you used the LEDs?

[@mynameismattbaum]

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?

[@Karneallota]

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

[@damianuadamus]

I'm just wondering how ur algae scrubber works?

[@GrowLLLTigeRRR]

I would like to see one inline from a canister filter.

[@kaldenkyulo4100]

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

[@renedudoussat8821]

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

[@AquaDesignHK]

Is that aluminium tapes provide enough cooling for power leds?

[@samiam9059]

Some plastic's that are not made to be saltwater can leach chemicals out of it.

[@TaeSlash]

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?

[@coffield1961]

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?

[@timmlombardo9267]

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

[@thekingofdiy]

+Timm Lombardo Perfect!

[@ormandgibson6681]

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

[@thekingofdiy]

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

[@ormandgibson6681]

Ok

[@leonardoalcantara1491]

this algae scrubber is for freshwater or saltwater?

[@thepenicillindeath]

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

[@chefroger84]

Did you ever do an update video on this scrubber?

[@joshgranstrom4689]

another awsome video joey!

[@mikemosley77]

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! :)

[@haibach7054]

Awesome Joey.

[@jasonredman839]

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?

[@pluschowstr]

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