HOW TO: DIY algae scrubber - No more nitrates

The SUPER CHARGED version: • HOW TO: Algae scrubber... 
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In this video, i show you how to build a do it yourself algae scrubber. This will be beneficial to your aquarium in that it will eliminate high nitrates and phosphates. In turn, giving your fish better water and combating algae in the main aquarium.

[@Nirabulator]

Golly, I' d never heard of algae scrubbers before I watched this video, with 15 or so years in aquaristics. Maybe Sweden is behind in such matters, or maybe I don't read enough magazines or books about the hobby. Anyway, I'm impressed by the simple, effective design. You do us all a great service by sharing your DIY ideas. Will now go have a look at this book you e selling!

[@thekingofdiy]

The SUPER CHARGED version: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qIHGonR3rp1sZrs

[@Drogrant]

Love your passion for the hobby! I'm making this tonight and definitely subscribing! Thanks so much for posting such helpful videos. This hobby is expensive and being able to DIY is perfect! Thanks Joey!!

[@kurtism9040]

Thanks! This is the best advice about aquariums I've gotten to date. I'll be building one this week. Count me, Subscribed!

[@justwannaseehisface1]

Algae is the base of the food chain and at the base of my breeding operation. - When the water in my unused backyard pool turned into Pea Soup I added an 8¢ Goldfish/Comet. A year later the fishes scales looked like goldleaf. Only then did I realize how the "goldfish" got its name. In a 20,000 gallon green water pond, I had Discus that survived temps from 95F to 58F and ph swings from 5.4 to 9.0. My prettiest plant: a lawn of brilliant green hair algae on the backside of a 29 gallon tank

[@summerz7810]

I read 20-25 pages on reef central on ATS. Came here and see that this is by far the best way to go without messing with my plumbing. Thanks!

[@brandonmays7345]

This is around the time i subscribed to the channel. Fun looking back at these years later

[@BoY860]

You really are king of DIY. Can't wait to see the progression of the new Tank/office.

[@davidmiller7065]

I know this is a 9 year old vidio but I am attempting a different style algae scrubber on the out flow of my HOB refugium with plastic grid. Your last vidio motivated me

[@winstonlarry1796]

You are truly the King of DIY in the Fish Keeping business buddy.

[@pershop4950]

That's funny. @1:47 Joey says, "Each basket is $1, so they were $2 each." Great idea and very nice and cheap DIY project for the fish tank.

[@SmittyKat]

I try to work with my algae rather than against it. I think it's a great thing and this video just proves that. I think it also looks nice if you cultivate it. I like to leave algae on the back of my aquarium so that it covers up the cords and stuff, and it looks really nice on driftwood. Also if you can get the green hair algae to grow on the back and set a powerhead to blow against it, it makes a really pretty effect of the undulating algae blowing in the water current.

[@pwilliams98]

I made a quick (and ugly) test version of this last month, and it works great. Will be making a more presentable one this week. Great idea!

[@therick2325]

Love how clean the design is, great work joey

[@user-te7zz8mv3x]

absolutely fabulous! many thanks … recently found your channel and your diy filter just blew me away . all the diy videos are clear and easy to follow your step by step instructions.

[@TehLogician]

Wow very cool idea. Will definitely add one of these to my next non planted tank. I had a 55 with a mating pair of jaquar cichlids and left the algae in the tank do to the benefits of the algae. Wish I would have thought of this.. Very cool stuff.

[@danmackinnon2113]

I used a 6" LED light, this is an excellent idea. thanks dude

[@jwtelt]

How did it work for you and was it a plain white LED light?

[@Berbs73]

Oh, how Joey has changed. lol 2017.

[@InfamousFPV]

He swole up lol 2020

[@nairsreehari96]

he definitely changed lol 2021

[@watchercrab0792]

I'm from the future he's still going 2090

[@tomelbourn4872]

Awesome. So much easier than any other DIY algae scrubber I have seen. I have some ideas for this. Video to come when I get around to it.

[@evangangle3192]

I adapted your idea and cut a slot in my hang on back filter for the media, i got a decent colonie after about 6 weeks i found that of you stay on top of removing algae from the rest of your tank you will develpoe a stronger colonie faster.

[@TheCajun25]

Love the videos. I've recently purchased a 55 gallon freshwater aquarium and I'm loving it. Keep up the good work.

[@rossellis6484]

Joe has done it again very nice.

[@Soulrider2012]

You could probably do that but the case or basket provides some other benefits. The dark color of the case will help block the light being shined on the mesh/scrubber from being seen in the tank (although hiding it behind something will help). Also, the case provides another surface on which the algae will grow. In addition, the case provides a path to help to cause the bubbles from the airstone & fresh water to rise up uniformly through the mesh/algae & not get disturbed by a power head, etc.

[@HAPKAH]

Thank you very much for the idea Joey! Kind of was just floating around you in the air, but never thought about that myself for over 20 years that I've had an aquarium. Will definitely try that once done with room redecoration and relocation of my 110l and 200l aquarium tanks.

[@mikevla8097]

Hey bud, ive never built aquarium myself, and i wont for a long time (no private space) but i found your channel pretty cool. I subscribed to you and ur doing great work. One thing id be really curious to see is your BEST aquarium that you keep at home and you are the most proud of. Thanks!

[@Joy1957K]

Wow .. can't believe I only just found this super idea. Will watch the Super Charged version next. Thanx Joey xox

[@jwtelt]

Hi, I'm going to build one of these and wondered if you could use a cheap RGB LED strip light from eBay to light it and grow the algae? Like the ones you can buy to go inside your tank. They're normally available in either white, white and blue or RGB colours and I thought the RGB version would be best. They're so much cheaper than the LED's you use in you upgraded algae scrubber.

[@TheAxolotlWhiperer]

Thanks for the quick response! That makes sense. I'll definitely still be picking it up then!

[@dyldavis123]

Joey you are the bomb. Not just for this but for all of your DIYs. I sure hope you don't plan on quitting these videos, lol im sure you won't anytime soon :) keep it up man!

[@bbf0ab08cb44becfec]

"hi everybody joey here again and welcome back"

[@classychandu5090]

I feel like I'm watching a childrens show with that voice 😂

[@sp1a773r]

Great video and I like how you explained the benefits of the algae scrubber so well!

[@centarbob9563]

I just want to thank you for all the new videos

[@piercer4882]

awesome videos! I just binge watched a ton of them.. you do a great job making the demo's and its awesome how you always do it as cheap as possible. thanks!

[@JuanPeron007]

You're a genius bro.. thanks

[@unknowncuyler5449]

dude, really. there is no way you just found all these ideas somewhere. you must be very creative.

[@unknowncuyler5449]

also would it be a good idea to double up or more on the mesh inside to give algae more space to grow.

[@justwannaseehisface1]

That's the size bulb Joey uses in the algae scrubber above (a 20 watt CFL). In the video he says it will consume all the nitrates in a normally stocked 55 gallon tank. I can't confirm that either way but it would be an interesting subject to take up with him. Thanks for the reply.

[@mrt1296]

Man U smart lil dude I like watching some of your videos very well explained thank you for the inspiration

[@carfree123]

Your next upload will be your 100th. Congrats, bud. Thanks for all your help.

[@dippy1257]

New subscriber! Like that you have done this for inside your tank. I'm going to give this a go once I've installed my juwel protein skimmer. I've had a problem with Cyanobacteria so I'm hoping this & the skimmer might help. Thanks. I'll post a video when I've out both in.

[@yeeboi5545]

I really appreciate these videos Joey.

[@jamesconrey]

Good video bro. Typically the use of macro algae like chaeto is used for sw aquariums. I can see this working in a cichlid aquarium or simple substrate aquarium

[@muhonzen]

Thanks for this great vid Joey! I think this may be useful to cultivate of algae to feed a culture of brine shrimp.

[@paul5276]

I made something like that several years ago using a hang on the back filter and putting mesh inside it I just rolled it up and put it in with it smooth I used a small hoppi lamp with a cone to shore the light into the filter it worked ok but I still had Algiers growing all offer my plants too.

[@JanetDiaz6152]

Cool idea. I bought one n it works great. After watching ur vid I building one for my other tank.

[@BigLungzMusic]

Awesome vid Joey. Could one of these be put in an aquaclear 70 HOB? I was going to do a diy Aquaclear refugium but I like this idea just can't have that ugly box in my 37 gal display

[@garethvand]

Hey man, u are such a legend. I love your channel and i would love to see the updates on how your tanks are doing. In two weeks i am starting to build my own DIY aquarium (as per your series on how to build an acrylic aquarium and stand), similar size as yours but glass. Acrylic is really expensive in my country. Thanks for all the help and VIDS, keep them coming!

[@reptileboy76]

Can you do a video off all your tanks? Would love to see your whole collection.

[@leeforsythe163]

Altair’s scrubbers

[@donaldlooker8653]

How do you combat the Salt Creep on a SW system??

[@DamonGaskin]

Nice and informative vid as always. As I have built and used my own, this is the cheapest and most interesting scrubber design I have ever seen. Very clever in concept and space also. Is it possible Joey for you to think of and do a video on a recirculating media reactor? That is a fairly new concept(so to speak) to most people, but it works extremly well with pellets on salt(I run them) and from what I hear on fresh systems also.

[@benclarkson4205]

LOVE LOVE LOVEEE... the spinning drill bit

[@jenniferlong5144]

Wow! That was great information! Thank you so much Joey!

[@jakecarpenter8209]

OK This is awesome! though this isn't the prettiest ways of doing it, who cares if it's places in a sump. Great job! I like this a lot!

[@alexroast]

I never scrub off the algae on my aquarium unless it's on the front glass or getting excessive. I find moderate amounts nice and natural looking, plus the fish I keep enjoy it as a snack.

[@Helveteshit]

The case is there to make a suction possibility. Without it you won't have a suction which in turn wont make the water flow through THAT algae. You want it to work like... any other natural filter. It sucks water and pushes it out the other end. Basically, the case causes the airstone to work as a water vacuum. Sucking in water, pushing it out with the bubbles on the top, feeding the algae on the scrubber the nitrates and such.

[@osbaldolara5615]

Thank u joey u r awesome . What im thinking of doing in my aquaryum is diguise it eith pomess stona and growing plants . And i wanted to ask u or anyone who knows if it b a good idea to put an led inside a pvc canester system with a mesh and make it an inline type deal ?

[@sumnerbob2254]

I love your vids. and can you tell me why the sides of my tank is sometimes slimy is it normal if yes tell me how to solve the problem it would be great help.

[@hskstreams6273]

do u have a degree in fish keeping ??? ur the best man i must say

[@avasquez6140]

Great video, I have a request... maybe you've done it already but can you give me an idea on how to make a diy gfo reactor. Pls tnx

[@birdbrain5381]

Great idea! I love your channel. Maybe you could put something like this on top of an air powered filter or on an output of a power head? That way the water would already be mechanically filtered so your mesh would stay cleaner of gunk, and hold more algae? Isn't the mesh in danger of getting gunky if the water isn't pre-filtered?

[@nicolacacioppo4811]

Thanks helped me out again

[@AQUANUT]

Great video I will have to try this one out

[@amantoske]

Great video. I use fertilizers in my tank. Won't algae absorve these great nutrients as well?

[@annamariewallace2071]

Thanks! This is so helpful!

[@JayWho_8]

Could you place the plastic mesh in between the baffles of a sump (for water flow without using an air pump)? This would probably promote just as much algae growth on the glass/acrylic though unless it was angled and the light placed above somehow? (just throwing out ideas)

[@MauriceMccomie]

This is a great idea, however, I'm worried that my plecos would use this like an all you can eat salad bar. Have you ever tried it in a tank with plecos? If so how would I stop them from eating my good algae?

[@woodshop2300]

I think this could be modified a bit more and compined with the last video ( over head sump ) and a 2' floriesent under cabinet light to create an over head alge scrubber that keeps almost everything out of the display tank.

[@Tiger-bp1jk]

Nice . Informative Joey best wishes on your book launch

[@RobertMaz]

Hey, thinking of starting my first tank, low tech planted... Do think that this would be useful in my tank... It's a 20 long. Thank you and great work on your videos!

[@deano72]

Just made one too. this is a Great idea indeed

[@cwj3rd]

Excellent vid... I wonder if its possible to integrate this into your above the tank sump idea?

[@reyramirez2443]

Would this work in a marine set up! I know they use algae scrubbers as well

[@dodgybishop1479]

Not only are CFL and some LED's (Depending on how they are manufactured) low wattage, but normal incandescent, halogen lights etc have little to no usable light to plants, thus, photosynthesis cannot run its course properly.

[@justwannaseehisface1]

A 20 watt bulb consumes about 2¢ per day in electricity or 50¢ a month. The air pump consumes about 10¢ per month and is probably needed in the aquarium anyway.

[@jesusfraire4900]

Hey you should make a video on how to modify hob filters that would be great awsome videos helped me alot thanks

[@NCmike1969]

Great video. Got to try this one, thanks Joey!

[@steveglasser8753]

where can i find led's for the scrubber?

[@bryantpribadi]

Just want to share another thought, perhaps this could be combined with an overflow and using the water flow over a sponge with an intense lighting.

[@aleksandarlazio]

Hi from Bulgaria. Thank you for your videos, they are very helpful. What do you think about the same setup without the air pump? Just putting the blue box where the water is flowing fast from the canister filter? Is it going to work or the idea is the bubbles, not the water flow.

[@dianadiehl]

Thanks for a great idea! Did I miss it or did you show a picture of a thriving, mature algae scrubber in place in a tank? I'd love to see what a healthy algae bed looks like.

[@amilliner147]

You can use red LEDs and it will make it grow like crazy

[@kjohnson8901]

maybe a later more developed scrubber? I don't even own an aquarium I just like the engineering of this project.

[@raul31081989]

ohh yeah...i was waiting for this vid since you put it on facebook...thanx bro

[@timdobert6711]

Very cool idea. Making my own.

[@briansohl4772]

can you place this in your refugium or in the over flow where the filter sock and skimmer are at?

[@polarisraven5613]

I'm wondering, I have a 60 gallon acrylic tank, and the back is 1.5x4 feet or 18x48 inches, all solid black. If I just let the algae grow on that part of the aquarium, would anyone know how effective it is compared to this DIY algae scrubber? I also have a Biomax filter insert in use (it claims each ceramic bead provides around 100 square feet for beneficial bacteria to grow on). Anyone know or can guess about how effective this is compared to the above Algae Scrubber?

[@FerretDude]

Could this work with a net as the mesh a clear cup as the casing and a window as the light source?

[@Haigotron]

Great DIY :) Very informative. I am thinking about adding that plastic mesh in one of the back chambers of my Nanocube. The flow of the backchamber is already bottom to top, so dunno if I'll need the airstone? I also have a light that I can use. Thanks

[@TGPcounseling]

You could consider on demand publishing for a printed book, then when you make changes the new orders would get the updates and you don't have to deal with any of the warehousing and storage issues. Just upload the new PDF to the publisher.

[@thedirtyburger1485]

Oh lil jo I'm glad he came out of his shell

[@MrSk8andie]

could you do a video of a waterfall algae scrubber? I've been working on one but can't seem to get the water to flow over the screen in a consistent sheet. Thank you videos are awesome! keep up the good work.

[@Mostlyharmless1985]

Colin a thought on that, a reservoir on the top that overflows onto the sheet should give a pretty uniform flow. I have no idea how to make one, just tossing ideas for you to try.

[@DuilioBiccari]

Why to use the air pump? For me it works just with normal water movement.

[@adzyhany]

would this system be beneficial while running a drip system? I'm in the planning stages of a big tank similar to your large tank. different dimensions but same amount of gallons. I'm planning a filter a lot like your fluidized bed only have the second stage (heater barrel) a glass tank apposed to a second barrel. would it be a good idea to do an 8"x16" algae scrubber in the heater tank? also, I was reading somewhere that using hot water with the drip system and dropping some heaters is cheaper monthly then running cold water with more heaters. what do you think?

[@MrToday2000]

I keep a few brisle noses catfish never had a problem with agle

[@winstonlarry1796]

Hi Joey I need some advice man my tank my trickle filter my pvc overflow everything I done through watching your videos I live in South Africa we don't have the varieties of stuff that you guys have bro but I made due I am just struggling with one thing man my water would be clear one moment than cloudy the next what can I do buddy.

[@Jimsmith656]

Thanks for the vid. Just made one hopefully will be all good

[@marcinp9769]

Joey, again thanks for the copy of the book.. Now I got a question.. it's off the topic.. my heater just broke.. I had a Fluval E series heater and the digital screen is hardly to read hence difficult to set the temperature... I need your help.. what heater do you recommend? Eheim Jager? or should I give it a second try with Fluval? or any other brands? I have a 55 gallon tank.. planning of upgrading to a 125g. Thanks!!!!

[@user-xf2tq3mj6w]

Hi! thanks for the video. how can i add this to a sump? if i already grow plants in my sump i need this scrubber? Thanks!

[@ASHISHKUMAR-5576]

Sir many neon tetra can I kept in a 40 gallon tank of size 36*12*24 inches length breath height respectively

[@curtismaximus123]

Awesome vid Joey thanks! What is the best flow to produce algae the fastest? Slow or fast? Thanks again!

[@RaffleReefer10]

Another benefit is that micro-organisms will inhabit the protected area, and feed on detritus that could've created more nitrate.