Algae Scrubber Basics

OK so let me, if a I may, summarize the entire ball of wax here, beacause I have read a ton of both pros and cons on algae scrubbers-this one is for the laymen

-From what I gather, all issues associated with scrubers are purely the type of algae that grows, certain species may provide toxicity, to particulalrly sps, hence the reason we want hair algaae growth which has not been shown to be detrimemntal
- Those that use the waterfall type IN CONJUNCTION with skimmers and other means of filtration enjoy a successful tank
- Those that run scrubbers by themselves, no skimmers, have problems

So in the end, sps dominant or not,as long as you are skimming, along with gfo or LC, and as long as you set it up right and maintain it weekly and ensure your growing hair algae, and feed adequately, the waterfall scrubber can be very beneficial, CORRECT?
 
I hope you are wrong. I am skimmerless and am trying to do a mixed reef. I don't want to have to reconfigure my setup for a skimmer. Time will tell, I am getting ready to start adding corals this week.
 
cmoresps said:
So in the end, sps dominant or not,as long as you are skimming, along with gfo or LC, and as long as you set it up right and maintain it weekly and ensure your growing hair algae, and feed adequately, the waterfall scrubber can be very beneficial, CORRECT?
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Did you mean GC (granulated carbon)? If not, what's LC? If so, I for one would agree with that EXCEPT I've seen no compelling evidence that weekly maintenance is essential.

IMO the required cleaning frequency depends on how fast your scrubber is producing. So I think the key is regular maintenance - whatever that means for your setup. For me, and my low input of nutrients, I do not need to clean anymore often than every two weeks. And even then only 1/2 of the screen.
 
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This is what I am using in my new 40/20L setup. This screen has been up twelve days. I am not seeing much growth but I know it is new. Should I clean some of the brown growth?

Also, can we get some current pics of successful ATS reefs? I went looking on YouTube and found some great looking tanks but few that have been currently updated.
 
LC = Lanthanum Chloride (drip into 5 micron filter sock, takes out P)

+1 for what scolley stated, it is dependent on your setup. I know people how need to clean every 5 days, and others every 2 weeks or longer.

Allelopathy is what you are concerned with - which, as I understand it, is like chemical warfare between algal species. But it can affect certain corals. To say that the jury is even out on this one IMO is premature, because the facts haven't all been even discovered much less presented. That's a long way of saying we really don't know what causes what.

What seems to work for many, when encountering problems specifically with SPS but generally with any coral species, is to run a skimmer and/or activated carbon. IMO, a small amount carbon in a media bag placed in the path of flow and changed weekly is adequate.

As for scrubber-only tanks encountering problems, I feel this is too general of a statement, as one could point on many examples of systems with single-source filtration (DSB only, LR only, Skimmer only, etc), all of which may have advantages and disadvantages. Again, this is tank/system specific.

With GFO or any phosphate reducing medium, this can be used but may not be relied on quite as much. IMO, such medium should be used only when needed, i.e. when the scrubber cannot perform the job itself, and when all other possibilities have been eliminated. Things like increasing flow, light, screen roughness, etc to encourage as much growth as possible. Then, if nitrates are low (zero) and Phosphate still shows up, and you have a lot of algae growth, check Potassium (K) with a Salifert kit. If that is below 400, dose that and watch for a P drop. You can also dose Iron to increase growth. If that all fails, then use GFO or my favorite Phos-Blast (PA), and only a very small amount, because you're just wanting to 'take the edge off' what the scrubber can't take out - you don't want to limit that nutrient, because it has a use.
 
Chris Abbott said:
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This is what I am using in my new 40/20L setup. This screen has been up twelve days. I am not seeing much growth but I know it is new. Should I clean some of the brown growth?
Click to expand...

Is your screen roughed up really well?

I would let it grow for a few weeks before doing the first cleaning, and then just a swipe with your fingertips. As long as you don't get really dark growth that blocks light, let it grow.

You need a reflector, because you are losing 90% of the light. Also a light on the other side if possible. Without at least a reflector, your growth is going to be very weak.

Seems pretty big too, how much do you feed?
 
I don't feed even a cube a day, I just went with a size that seamed to have good flow and was only going to light on one side. I am going to switch it out to led shortly. The screan is ruffed up, I will work on getting a reflector going for right now and see how it comes along.

I would still like to see other tanks that are currently using ATS as their primary filtration method.
 
Hmmm...might be a phase. I would let it grow a little longer before cleaning. Sorry if I'm asking questions you already answered, but how old is your scrubber and how often do you clean the screen?
 
It's probably too early to tell if anything odd is happening. Let it grow for 10-14 days then give it a light cleaning. Post pics of the current growth if you cxm
 
here is a current pic. as you can see the purple cyano growing on the saran wrap i used as a splash guard. but you can also see some green cyano and slight GHA

 
I don't see anything that is really out of whack for 4 weeks in...I would just let it grow in more. I do see less green right in the middle where the CFL is, looks like that is getting a bit too much light possibly
 
I see that Reefbreeders sells a Par38 fuge/ATS light for $80. Has anyone used this for their ATS? I've not tried a DIY LED setup, but seems that I'd be hard pressed to make anything for less than $80.

I feed my tank about the equivalent of 3-4 cubes per day, so I'd need a dual-sided scrubber of 36 - 48 sq inches, so figure that a par38 bulb would have sufficient light spread for a 6x6 or 7x7 sheet?

Hopefully I've not butchered my math here :)
 
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Wow, this thread is amazing.. I havent read it all but I am intrigued.

I am running into some budget issues with my 300gallon build, and I think that this system would be an awesome alternative to running GFO/Biopellets.

With my 300 gallon setup, I dont know that I would be able to do this properly through overflow (there will be likely almost 2,000 gph going through a durso setup).

Since I plan on having a manifold setup with my return pump (reeflo dart), would this work if I run the scrubber through a 1" manifold controlled by a ball valve?

I usually feed my fish frozen brine shrimp... The kind you buy in sheets, so Im having a hard time figuring out how many cubes I feed a day, I would guess maybe 1.5? This is for my current 65gal tank, but the 240 will have alot more fish/corals.

Also Does running an algae scrubber essentially render a refugium useless? I currently grow a few versions of tang heaven to feed my tangs.
 
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