Algae Scrubber Basics

[TheFishMan65]

I had the pleasure of going behind the scenes at Dr Mac's Pacific East Aquaculture. And I thought I would share the fact that they have an Algae Scrubber. Not quite the standard build, but they do use one

 

[SPotter]

ATS and orp levels....

ATS and orp levels....

I have noticed that since starting my ATS my orp level has dropped from the high 300 range to the mid 200 range. Is there a connection here or is my probe on its way out?


Here's another growth picture...looks like I am starting to get some 3D growth after 10 days of operation. I have been experimenting with the placement of the LED lights. right now they are 5" from the screen.

 

[Floyd R Turbo]

I have noticed that since starting my ATS my orp level has dropped from the high 300 range to the mid 200 range. Is there a connection here or is my probe on its way out?

While I'm not very familiar with ORP, a quick read of this article

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-12/rhf/feature/index.php

suggests that there could be a couple of things going on, on both sides of the ORP battle. Algae will suck up the Iron, which acts on both sides in different forms. The scrubber tends to aerate the water as long as the box isn't completely closed (yours might be considered closed) which raises the O2 and thus the pH, which will drop ORP. Algae adds organic Vitamin C, which is actually a reducing agent (will drop ORP). Scrubbers remove ammonia and nitrite (reducers) and nitrate (oxidizer). So as you can see, not only is ORP complicated but so is it's introduction into the system.

Whenever you make a change to the system (talking your marine system in general) then a new 'set-point' will need to be established. This can happen simply by moving well established live rock around the tank, or even by moving a powerhead and changing the flow pattern.

IMHO you are seeing the effects of introducing a new and different type of filtration. I haven't seen may people report on their ORP readings during the transition to a scrubber so please keep posting info as time goes on.

If you haven't calibrated your ORP probe lately, now might be a good time.

 

[SPotter]

Thanks Floyd. I bought the orp probe when I got my controller just because it said I could measure orp :spin1: What you said about increased vitamin c and reduction in orp definitely makes sense because I was dosing vit c for a while and my orp would drop whenever it was added. I'm definitely concerned about it at this point given that not too many reefers seems to really what their orp levels.

I am thinking about modifying the lid on my box so that its only closed over the LED compartments to allow more air to flow thru the center of the box and better aeration of the water.

I am so glad I found this thread and decided to build my own ATS. I am already making design changes for when I build the one I will use on my tank upgrade.

 

[bsk997]

Has anybody thought of using a CPR aquafuge?
http://www.cpraquatic.com/products/aquafuge.html

What's everybody's thoughts on the large with a dimension of 25.5" L x 4.5" W x 12" T ?
I don't know the exact size of the middle "fuge" part but I'd think that'd be a perfect area for a turf scrubber.

 

[Floyd R Turbo]

Submerged screens don't work, unfortunately. Not enough flow rate at the boundary layer.

 

[rysher]

can you put mandarin in the sump?
are they hard to catch?

i ask this cause i never had a mandarin and my screen is always having white spots of where the pods eat. i want to kill my pods.
i see thousands of them in the sump but not in DT perhaps cause i have 5 wrasses in the dT.

 

[redneckgearhead]

If you put the mandarin in the sump, It could eat your food supply to the 5 wrasses in the DT. I wouldn't put one in the sump. Are you cleaning weekly?

 

[SPotter]

Ats is doing great but im starting to notice that algae is falling off of the screen. Is this normal, a flow issue or do I need to rough up my svcreen more?

Steve

 

[srusso]

Ats is doing great but im starting to notice that algae is falling off of the screen. Is this normal, a flow issue or do I need to rough up my svcreen more?

Steve

Could be a flow issue. More then likely it's your screen is too smooth. Be sure your cleaning the screen every 7 days.

 

[JohnnyB in SD]

Screen Cleaning

Screen Cleaning

I was reviewing some ATS information last night and saw somewhere in SantaMonica's instructions for his unit that he recommends cleaning HALF (one side) of the screen every 7 days, and the other side the following week to avoid nutrient spikes.
I have been cleaning my entire 18x12 screen very 7 days.
What is the current recommended best practice for screen cleaning?

 

[scolley]

I was reviewing some ATS information last night and saw somewhere in SantaMonica's instructions for his unit that he recommends cleaning HALF (one side) of the screen every 7 days, and the other side the following week to avoid nutrient spikes.
I have been cleaning my entire 18x12 screen very 7 days.
What is the current recommended best practice for screen cleaning?

Now THAT makes sense. I've been wondering the same thing myself... inevitable changes in NP absorption capacity by cleaning the entire screen.

 

[SPotter]

Could be a flow issue. More then likely it's your screen is too smooth. Be sure your cleaning the screen every 7 days.

I will definitely rough it up a little more this weekend when I do my 2nd cleaning.

 

[rysher]

If you put the mandarin in the sump, It could eat your food supply to the 5 wrasses in the DT. I wouldn't put one in the sump. Are you cleaning weekly?

i clean every 5 days, depending on growth and the spots left behind by the pods.

thanks.

 

[Floyd R Turbo]

You can definitely clean half of the screen every 3-4 days, it's the best way to do it if you're very worried about nutrient spikes. In almost a year though I have never had a problem, and I feed a ton. So unless you are having a recurring problem that you can tie directly to a nutrient spike that occurs after cleaning, it's more hassle than it's worth IMO.

SPotter, what is your flow rate in GPH/in of screen width and do you have a pic of your screen before you started using it? You really do need to rough it up with a hole saw initially.

 

[srusso]

You can definitely clean half of the screen every 3-4 days, it's the best way to do it if you're very worried about nutrient spikes. In almost a year though I have never had a problem, and I feed a ton. So unless you are having a recurring problem that you can tie directly to a nutrient spike that occurs after cleaning, it's more hassle than it's worth IMO...

I agree and have had the same experience as Floyd here. Clean every 7 days both sides without an issue. Feed one or two cubes a day and never rinse the cubes before feeding.

I have read the same from SM, I believe this is in reference to troubleshooting a scrubber. But as Floyd has said it is normally advised to clean the screen more often, 3 to 4 days each side....

Unless it was... when referencing someone who has built an oversized scrubber in an effort to try and lengthen the time between cleanings... but this is not very affective and considered experimental.

 

[Floyd R Turbo]

But as Floyd has said it is normally advised to clean the screen more often, 3 to 4 days each side....

Unless it was... when referencing someone who has built an oversized scrubber in an effort to try and lengthen the time between cleanings... but this is not very affective and considered experimental.

Just to clarify...that's 3-4 days between cleanings, one side each time (or 6-8 days growth for each side)

As for the second part, the oversized scrubber, I don't want to get people all excited about longer periods between screen cleanings. But it has been discussed that over-sizing a scrubber (like double) could allow for a 2-week growth period, provided that 1) you rinse the screen at the 1 week point (or more often) with RO/DI water to kill pods before they can cause algae detachment, and 2) you need to have the ability to utilize 3D growth (closed box). Also you would probably want an overflow protection system (second drain, alarm, etc) and this 2-week cleaning period would HAVE to be implemented on a system that has already had the scrubber running long enough for the screen to be fully mature and system nutrients pulled down and stabilized. So it's not for the beginner.

 

[JohnnyB in SD]

Thanks for the words of wisdom fellas.
I feed about 6-7 cubes a day on a 100gl tank, 10-12 two days a week when I do the nems & corals too. N&P have been undetectable since I started using ATS, which is a mickey mouse rubber maid tub version.
Since I am always looking for the easiest way to do everything, I will continue cleaning the whole screen once a week.

 

[scott26]

Hey johnny b how old are you? I know of another johnny in sd

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

 

[SPotter]

Ok week two cleaning and definitely a lot more growth tgis week. I am a little concerned because its more brown than green. Is this normal after two weeks?

I roughed up the screen and when I thought it was roughed up....I roughed it up more.

Floyd....I havent been able to determine the exact flow and all I have been doing is maki.g sure I am getti.g even flow. I have purchased a flow meter that I will hook up as soon as it arrives.

This weeks puctures......

All feed back will be greatly appreciated.

Steve