Algae Scrubber - IceCap

IceCap Algae 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, algae scrubbers are safe for use in freshwater, saltwater, and reef aquarium systems.

HOW IT WORKS

IceCap Algae Scrubbers are designed to be mounted above your sump so that the water flowing through the unit can drain back into your normal filtration system. Water can be fed into the scrubber by a standalone pump, via a manifold, or through the drain of your display tank. The water going into the unit is trickled down onto a screen that is illuminated on both sides by powerful full-spectrum LED lights. As algae begins to grow on the screen, it “scrubs” your aquarium water of excess nutrients—so you’ll have less algae growing inside your tank. Once the screen is covered in algae, you “harvest” it by removing a sizable portion, thereby removing the contaminants that fueled its growth from your system.

ICECAP VS. OTHER BRANDS

Until now, hobbyists looking to setup an algae scrubber would either build one themselves or invest in one of the very expensive units currently available on the market. The problem with doing it yourself (DIY) is that not everyone is capable or willing and the materials may be unsafe in a wet and humid environment. Using a commercially available scrubber solves the safety issue, but the high costs of these units has historically been prohibitive for getting more hobbyists to adopt this effective form of natural water filtration.

Our goals in building the IceCap Algae Turf Scrubbers were to make them safe, easy-to-use, and most of all, affordable. You aren’t going to find a more affordable waterfall-style algae scrubber than an IceCap ATS!

Not only are units from other brands more expensive, some companies will try to upsell you another $60 for a “light shield” to prevent the bright lights from the scrubber from escaping and shining into your sump or living space. Not IceCap! Our scrubbers are already enclosed to stop light bleed. You don’t have to remove a bulky light shield to harvest your algae, either. Just flip open the hinged door on top to access the algae screen when it comes time for maintenance.

HOW TO HARVEST ALGAE

Open the door on top and loosen the quick-release union on the side. Lift the pipe and algae screen out and run them under water in the sink. You can use a soft bristle toothbrush to remove stubborn buildup. Be careful not to remove all of the algae from the screen as this will slow growth when you put it back into your system. Leave some algae behind to seed the next batch so that it will grow faster. Under normal circumstances, you will be harvesting 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 of your aquarium water. You can accomplish this 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 your display tank lighting.

EMERGENCY DRAIN FITTING

IceCap Algae Turf Scrubbers are equipped with an emergency drain fitting in case the main drain ever gets clogged with algae.

Please Note: This algae scrubber is for external use only. IceCap Algae Turf Scrubbers also require a feed pump and plumbing for installation.