Description
Fight Algae with Algae with a HOB Turf Scrubber
IceCap PRO Hang On Back (HOB) Turf Scrubbers use algae as a natural water filter to remove nitrate, phosphate, and other pollutants from your aquarium water. Rather than having algae grow uncontrolled inside your display tank, an algae scrubber allows you to grow algae in a controlled setting where it can be easily removed—thereby removing contaminants from your tank in the process. This all-natural form of water filtration can reduce and even eliminate the need for water changes. Best of all, the scrubber hangs right on the back of the aquarium, no sump or plumbing is required! Plug-and-play even comes with its own IceCap EVO feed pump.
Hang-On Back 50 PRO Specifications
Dimensions (LxWxH): 11.3 x 5.3 x6.7in
Screen Size: 7.4 x 3.5in
LED Wattage: 6w / DC24V
Feed Pump: EVO-400 (6w)
Fits Tank Rims: 1/4-1 3/8in
Max Flowrate: 105gph
Aquariums up to: 80gal
How It Works
IceCap HOB Turf Scrubber is designed to be placed directly rim of the aquarium with the included EVO 400 pump placed within the aquarium. The water going into the scrubber is trickled down onto a screen that is illuminated on both sides by a powerful field of LED lights. As algae begin to grow on the screen, it “scrubs” the aquarium water of excess nutrients, resulting in fewer algae growing inside the actual display tank. Once the screen is covered in algae, it can be “harvested” by removing a sizable portion, thereby removing the contaminants from the system.
How to Harvest Algae
Remove the top and loosen the quick-release union on the side. Lift the pipe and algae screen out and run them underwater in the sink. Use a credit card or similar scraper to remove the buildup. Be careful not to remove all of the algae from the screen as this will slow growth when placed back into the system. Leave some algae behind to seed the next batch so that it can grow faster. Under normal circumstances, expect to harvest algae every 1-3 weeks.
When to Run Your Scrubber
Many hobbyists prefer to run their algae scrubbers on a reverse daylight schedule to help stabilize the pH in their aquarium water. This can be accomplished by plugging the LED lights into a timer or aquarium controller and programming it for a 12-hour daily photoperiod that runs opposite of the daylight schedule of the display tank lighting.