Algae Scrubber Basics
- Thread starter srusso
- Start date
Floyd R Turbo
Either busy or sleeping
It is to provide turbulence to the screen and also delivers CO2 as the bubbles rub past the algae strands.
jason.stephens
New member
Does an ATS effect coralline algae growth in any way?
Floyd R Turbo
Either busy or sleeping
If anything, by keeping N and P in check it should promote it. I moved everything to a new tank in December, and now you can hardly see through the back glass, I have to chip some of it away for a power head and it was easily 1mm thick.
srusso
Active member
1) hard to say... You'll have to give a live stock list.
2) in theory it should increase the pods found in the tank.
3) it can be done, just more of a balancing act.
srusso
Active member
Yeah, it wasn't in the original design to "cool" this driver also... It was more of just a "good" place to put it while I was building it. Version two should have remote drivers. Technically it's better if I am keeping the driver cool also... Right?
crn005
New member
Hello all! I have a small HOB filter running on my nano (roughly 20 gallons) that literally has no filtration media in it. I notice that the plastic lip it uses to cascade the water back down into the tank (2"x2") has continually produced a decent amount of nice green algae. I harvest it every now and then but it's nothing as aggressive as a functioning ATS. It did get me thinking though that maybe I could make a custom lip that goes wider (and has turrets of sort that force the water to fan out and also holds the canvas in place via well placed holes) and incorporates some roughed up mesh. Considering that the start of the water's ascend is 1.5" directly below a 55w 10k/actinic PC light and would hit the water level at 3" below the light, do you think this would work? I feed the equivalent of about 2 pinches of flakes a day so I wouldn't need many square inches. The water flow on the filter isn't that much though. It only has a 5w pump.
It just seems that if the algae grew there on a completely smooth surface that I should bi-pass something external and promote the growth there with more surface area and something for the algae to actually grab on to. Considering that I live in Seoul (안녕하세요!) I'm very limited on tools, available materials, and space. They don't have a Home Depot or anything that I can run down to so I need a very simple design for an ATS. So, has anyone every seen something like this done? Any advice? My big concern would be the flow rate. I would post some pics so you knew what I am dealing with but that will have to wait until tomorrow. The lights are off and my Black Percula is snuggled into his Leather. Thanks!
-Cody
It just seems that if the algae grew there on a completely smooth surface that I should bi-pass something external and promote the growth there with more surface area and something for the algae to actually grab on to. Considering that I live in Seoul (안녕하세요!) I'm very limited on tools, available materials, and space. They don't have a Home Depot or anything that I can run down to so I need a very simple design for an ATS. So, has anyone every seen something like this done? Any advice? My big concern would be the flow rate. I would post some pics so you knew what I am dealing with but that will have to wait until tomorrow. The lights are off and my Black Percula is snuggled into his Leather. Thanks!
-Cody
Floyd R Turbo
Either busy or sleeping
yes I have seen that done before, not on this site but on another. You can make a tray that extends out along the top of the water then secure a roughed up screen to it and it will grow algae better. It won't be ideal, and the spectrum you have over it is not ideal, but if that's all you have to deal with you could rig something up and it would probably work for the amount you are feeding.
crn005
New member
Also, the only mesh that I have been able to find is black. I'm not quite sure where else to look considering that I went to one of the best art/craft supply stores in Korea. Just another factor in the equation to consider. Also, what would you recommend to rough up the canvas with considering that I don't have any hole cutting bits lying around and don't want to pay for one here. I was thinking that it would take more work but a steak knife shouldn't deliver too different of results.
-Cody
-Cody
crn005
New member
Yeah the spectrum of the lights if definitely not ideal. I was thinking about adding a little clip on 11w PC fixture I have in the space between the main lights and the filter to add more punch there. I don't want a lot of light pollution while I'm trying to sleep considering that my bedroom is also my living room so I want to try the increased exposure for a shorter amount of time method. Hopefully I can get a lower color temperature 11w bulb this weekend.
-Cody
-Cody
srusso
Active member
My brother did the same for a few months, it will filter but wont be able to run as a sole filtration. Use LEDs over CFL it will save space and work better.
How could this stuff be hard to find in Korea?! All the stuff we get here says its made in Korea! Lol just kidding!!
How could this stuff be hard to find in Korea?! All the stuff we get here says its made in Korea! Lol just kidding!!
Last edited:
Yes, for electronics HOT=BAD. Usually shorter life.
Devaji108
New member
Hey Ed thought I would add my 2 cent as we have a like system.
both have a 75 with hopes of attacked macro display. mine being a 40br that is to the side of the system & is a QT tank right now. the plan is to drill an plumb it to the DT. anyway this is what i am doing...
I am adding a LED ATS b/c I went on vacation and the tank was over feed as I have GHA every were now. so I am going to run the ATS until all GHA is gone and i get the 40br plumb in, then slowly take ATS off line and let the macro do it... in theory anyway sounds right to me.
I went with a 5x5" #7 mesh square that = 25 inches about 2 cubes a day. I think that will be right for a 75 mixed reef.
cheers
Deva
I think that I am going to attempt something like is. It seems to use the same screen size guidelines as the waterfall. I feed about 0.5 cube a day but I am probably going to use a screen in the 20-25 sq inch range given the uncertainties surrounding this new design. I will probably anchor the box using two small magfloats since I can't find any other magnets and I don't want to use suction cups. I am thinking about using a tetra whisper air pump rated for 40-60 gallons that will pump air through a anchor bubbler. Is there any clear guidelines on what air pump might be optimal for this application? It seems folks are using cheap pumps but would a bigger better pump be better?
Devaji108
New member
I have been thinking about the new design, even though I am building a water flow ATS.
anyway I was thinking the you could use or build a "HOB fuge" for the UAS
something like this:
http://www.marinedepot.com/CPR_CITR...nal_Refugiums_Sumps-CPR-CR1711-FIRFIR-vi.html
anyway I was thinking the you could use or build a "HOB fuge" for the UAS
something like this:
http://www.marinedepot.com/CPR_CITR...nal_Refugiums_Sumps-CPR-CR1711-FIRFIR-vi.html
Devaji108
New member
ok did the water flow test , by talking out the skimmer and removing a pice of PVC:
but now am a bit confused about some math and just wanna double check...
I took an average of 9 seconds to fell 1 gal. 3600/9= 400 GPH. I think that is right but I like to make sure.
I am using 1.5" drain line.
but now am a bit confused about some math and just wanna double check...
I took an average of 9 seconds to fell 1 gal. 3600/9= 400 GPH. I think that is right but I like to make sure.
I am using 1.5" drain line.
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