Algae Scrubber Basics

[rrasco]

That might be a hot spot in the middle of that first pic? Is your light too close?, is flow too low? Other than that, as long as your getting growth and seeing results - near or at 0 nitrates and phosphates, then it's working. Or at least consistent reduction in levels if you started with high levels... My guess is eventually you'll start seeing more green growth eventually.

It's hard to qualify "normal" in the first 6 weeks. Looks like there may be a flow or light problem. Clean and let it grow a week, and post a pic. Probably should go to weekly cleaning or 10 days max. You should never go 3 weeks, no matter what - even if your cleaning is just a quick rinse in tap water.

Light is about 4 inches away. It's a 23w CFL with clamp reflector. If anything, I think the light and flow may be too low. I measured and followed strict guidelines for my 150 ATS, but I kind of winged the first one. I even over-sized the screen a little bit, instead of 6x4 I went 8x4. I do think I am getting better growth out of the 150 which I adhered to the basic guidelines for screen sizing and flow. I didn't glue this one together, so I can measure the flow and adjust the slot for 35GPH. I'll probably trim the screen a little bit too. FWIW, the one with the hot spot has done massive damage to the algae in my tank. Except the bubble algae. Sump is clean as can be though. So it is working. I just think it can work better.

I know I waited too long to clean it. I was being lazy. Which kind of brings up my next point, is it okay to clean these off in tap water? Won't that kill the algae left behind? I started cleaning them in tank water from water changes, but it's a lot messier that way. I cleaned them when I posted those pics, so I will post others after 7 days.

Thanks for the input.

 

[_shorty_]

i use tapwater... right in the sink with the garbage desposal. The wife is not especially fond of it.. but hey. She also doesn't like the use of the 'good towels' in the tank room. what makes a towel 'good', anyway!?

4 inches seems okay.. but just a half inch can make a difference from my experience. And more flow could potentially protect that area more too. You want flow to be a steady 'sheet' of water coming off the bottom of the screen, near the full width of the screen (if you pull it off the surface of your sump water). IMO it's better to have just a little 'too much' flow as apposed to a little to low of flow. When I changed my setup from limiting my flow (too low a flow) and was able to increased flow - that's when I saw the change from the more slimy brownish algae to the actual green hair algae growth. That was just my experience.

 

[srusso]

how to add potassium? can i use potassium chloride? do you have a system that has no filteration xcpt ATS? like no gfo/carbon, no skimmer,no cheato, etc.??

Hold off on the potassium dosing. We need to nail down some big questions before I would advise beginners to try it.

I have been running my tank since day one with an algae scrubber, no other filtration. 2 plus years now

 

[srusso]

Light is about 4 inches away. It's a 23w CFL with clamp reflector. If anything, I think the light and flow may be too low. I measured and followed strict guidelines for my 150 ATS, but I kind of winged the first one. I even over-sized the screen a little bit, instead of 6x4 I went 8x4. I do think I am getting better growth out of the 150 which I adhered to the basic guidelines for screen sizing and flow. I didn't glue this one together, so I can measure the flow and adjust the slot for 35GPH. I'll probably trim the screen a little bit too. FWIW, the one with the hot spot has done massive damage to the algae in my tank. Except the bubble algae. Sump is clean as can be though. So it is working. I just think it can work better.

I know I waited too long to clean it. I was being lazy. Which kind of brings up my next point, is it okay to clean these off in tap water? Won't that kill the algae left behind? I started cleaning them in tank water from water changes, but it's a lot messier that way. I cleaned them when I posted those pics, so I will post others after 7 days.

Thanks for the input.

Been cleaning with tap for over two years. No issues

When I got that type of growth I was under powered on both light and flow, shortened the screen and slot, installed LEDs and it made all the difference. For a large scrubber I would say CFLs will never be enough.

 

[_shorty_]

Hold off on the potassium dosing. We need to nail down some big questions before I would advise beginners to try it.

I have been running my tank since day one with an algae scrubber, no other filtration. 2 plus years now

What are your concerns? and is there already some discussion on this that I can read up on, somewhere? I'd be willing to do some testing, but don't want to learn already learned lessons the hard way.

BTW - I know you're not supposed to dose stuff you can't measure - i use VERY modestly 'Biotrace'. it was recommended by someone very experienced, and as soon as I started using it in my old tank, my corals puffed up and started looking much better. It actually has 'potassium iodine' in the ingredient list. Has anyone tried to find that as a source for potassium dosing?

 

[nanomania]

Hold off on the potassium dosing. We need to nail down some big questions before I would advise beginners to try it.

I have been running my tank since day one with an algae scrubber, no other filtration. 2 plus years now

ok, will hold on to it...

 

[symon_say]

Any of this lights works for a scrubber?? screen size 7x7

12 1W leds

 

[nanomania]

why orange??

 

[Floyd R Turbo]

I wouldn't use any of those personally. The very last one maybe, but from what I've heard back from others, you need to take the lenses off (at least the blue LEDs) and it is only good for about a 5x5 screen, if that - just not enough intensity.

 

[_shorty_]

This guy doses the same potassium that was mentioned previously, and used by others.

http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index.php/current-issue/article/110-tank-of-the-month

 

[Floyd R Turbo]

Yes, Brightwell - except that Brightwell is going out of business

 

[Kenfuzed]

Yes, Brightwell - except that Brightwell is going out of business

I hadn't heard that yet, but I wouldn't be surprised.

 

[nanomania]

Guys, finally my ATS built...... i know that its an unusual size, the feeding is like 2 pinches of flakes per day and once a week 3-4ml of plankton.

Screen size is 2" x6" (will soon go for bigger)

Pump is really high (800lph), i dont know wether its ok or no.

light is 3x1w 660nm (thats what ebay said) i have no choice but there will be one side red and 1 side 6500k cfl... but i guess some thing will grow on the other side.

Here are the pics:

 

[nanomania]

Guys, finally my ATS built...... i know that its an unusual size, the feeding is like 2 pinches of flakes per day and once a week 3-4ml of plankton.

Screen size is 2" x6" (will soon go for bigger) - when i tried to rough it, it tore, so dint...

Pump is really high (800lph), i dont know wether its ok or no.

light is 3x1w 660nm (thats what ebay said) i have no choice but there will be one side red and 1 side 6500k cfl... but i guess some thing will grow on the other side.

Here are the pics:

 

[symon_say]

I wouldn't use any of those personally. The very last one maybe, but from what I've heard back from others, you need to take the lenses off (at least the blue LEDs) and it is only good for about a 5x5 screen, if that - just not enough intensity.

Ok, I'll go with 5 3w leds each side with 4 red and 1 blue, for a 7x7 screen, is that right or should i get more leds??

 

[symon_say]

Guys, finally my ATS built...... i know that its an unusual size, the feeding is like 2 pinches of flakes per day and once a week 3-4ml of plankton.

Screen size is 2" x6" (will soon go for bigger) - when i tried to rough it, it tore, so dint...

Pump is really high (800lph), i dont know wether its ok or no.

light is 3x1w 660nm (thats what ebay said) i have no choice but there will be one side red and 1 side 6500k cfl... but i guess some thing will grow on the other side.

Why not make the screen more wide to get better coverage from leds??

 

[srusso]

Ordered potassium sulfate and a salifert potassium test kit. Will report back when the order arrives.

 

[Kenfuzed]

nanomania: a couple things I see with your build may inhibit it's performance.
1) The screen is long and narrow but your LED is in a small square configuration. You won't get good growth on areas that lack light coverage.
2) Roughing the screen is key. Take a hole saw (used for cutting holes for door knobs etc) and drag it across the surface over and over until you have a cactus-like texture. A smooth screen won't hold the turf algae you are seeking and becomes nothing more than a waterfall.

 

[nanomania]

nanomania: a couple things I see with your build may inhibit it's performance.
1) The screen is long and narrow but your LED is in a small square configuration. You won't get good growth on areas that lack light coverage.
2) Roughing the screen is key. Take a hole saw (used for cutting holes for door knobs etc) and drag it across the surface over and over until you have a cactus-like texture. A smooth screen won't hold the turf algae you are seeking and becomes nothing more than a waterfall.

I scratched my head of looking for a good thick quality screen, but couldnt find anywhere. (if anyone can ship the screen to my place, can pay via paypal) the screen is too thin, i tried hole saw but it would tear my screen everytime, so i tried with sand paper. couldnt get much rough though. the screen is thin coz of space issues. if thats the thing, then i guess i dont have anyother option but to go for horizontal ATS. The pump it really high speed, so i guess that would help with the flow as it needs high flow.

 

[_shorty_]

A narrow screen is not necessarily a problem, I think the point was to make sure you get light coverage over whole screen. You may try a linear configuration with bulbs, rather than triangular/circular.

I've seen you post on finding screen thick enough a couple times now.. The typical screen material most use is from hobby store. It's about 1/16th inch thick. The brand my hobby store carries is : Yarnology - ultra stiff - plastic canvas, used for crochet and knitting.

The stuff you have doesn't look too far off but its hard to tell. When roughing the screen, you have to take your time and just keep going over it... Don't expect to get it roughed up in two passes, otherwise you would probably tear the screen.

Edit: took a second look at your screen compared to extra I have laying around... Each strand of yours does look thinner than mine, which would probably tend to tear more easily. Yours looks more like plastic screening more like a screen door, rather than a 'canvas' with thicker grid lines.