Algae Scrubber Basics

[jrp1588]

Is there any "go to" LED unit to buy for these things? I tried putting together an ATS years ago with spiral compacts when they first started getting popular, but never had much success. Anyway, new tank, so I figured I'd give it another shot.

Most of what I'm seeing is PAR38 bulbs, but it seems like that would spotlight too much. I'm setting up a 125gal tank, so I'll need something like a 10x12 screen. I want lights that'll light the whole thing pretty evenly.

 

[outy]

so I'll need something like a 10x12 screen. .

You feeding 3 - 4 cubes a day?

 

[outy]

You can build your own


or buy 2 of these 30W which use about 20W each. I believe 20W is recommended for 9 X 9 per the thread boss here. I'm getting good growth over all 12


http://www.ebay.com/itm/32187555006...49&var=510820920568&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT



Corey and a few others are running 10W on a smaller screen


I'm using 1 30W on a 12 X 12 as of this morning. was getting good growth out a 30W 6500k just like it

 

[jrp1588]

You feeding 3 - 4 cubes a day?

I doubt I'll be feeding that much, especially at first. The tank is an upgrade from a 29gal. I'm just going by the recommendations from page 1 of the thread. I haven't followed ATS practices for a few years, so I'm not up on what's currently done.

 

[jrp1588]

You can build your own


or buy 2 of these 30W which use about 20W each. I believe 20W is recommended for 9 X 9 per the thread boss here.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/32187555006...49&var=510820920568&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT



Corey and a few others are running 10W on a smaller screen


I'm using 1 30W on a 12 X 12 as of this morning. was getting good growth out a 30W 6500k just like it



OR you could go homebuilt and spend a few hundred.

Not really interested in LED DIY. The ebay listing says 220v. Does it not take a standard plug?

 

[outy]

Not really interested in LED DIY. The ebay listing says 220v. Does it not take a standard plug?

Yep.

I bought and am running one from that site.


All the drivers are 85v -220v they just don't list the 85v but they are.

 

[outy]

I doubt I'll be feeding that much, especially at first. The tank is an upgrade from a 29gal. I'm just going by the recommendations from page 1 of the thread. I haven't followed ATS practices for a few years, so I'm not up on what's currently done.

Well screen size per Floyd is done by how many cubes a day you feed.


Even if you did 9 X 9 lit both sides by 2 30w leds would be plenty for 2-3 cubes easy.


I do one cube and my 12 X 12 lit only on one side is overkill, and I may cut it down some to 10X 10

 

[jrp1588]

Well screen size per Floyd is done by how many cubes a day you feed.


Even if you did 9 X 9 lit both sides by 2 30w leds would be plenty for 2-3 cubes easy.


I do one cube and my 12 X 12 lit only on one side is overkill, and I may cut it down some to 10X 10

I'll use that as a target then. I don't generally feed frozen regularly, but I might start since having a proper sump will allow me a lot better options for nutrient export. Now I've just got to figure out the details of construction. My last build was pretty janky.

 

[outy]

My last build was pretty janky.

I threw one together in a few hours and its fugly as they come, but she is growing algae like a champ :lol2:

 

[FullBoreReefer]

Well I changed two things when we all spoke last.

I increased the flow to my ATS, and also cut my lights back from 18/6, to 12/12.

It seems like my ATS is starting to really take off. Thanks for all the suggestions guys, much appreciated!


Updated pics...







Thanks again.

 

[jerseypete]

well been reading this thread for a while and threw this together. It's has lighting on both side now. It's been running three days now. Will see how it goes. It's in my sump so not really taking up too much space. Hope it works out.

 

[SantaMonica]

Love the bucket! Reminds me of the first waterfall in 2008 (see link in sig).

Speaking of 2008, it's time to apply some more improvements to the waterfall scrubber I designed way back then. Some people just want the original waterfall design, and that's great. It was the first after all.

 

[outy]

It seems like my ATS is starting to really take off.




Thanks again.

Looks great!

Good growth as well.

 

[biecacka]

Yeah I am using 2 of the 10wt bulbs, but will be adding 2 more so I'll have 2 per side for my screen size. right now my screen looks like fullbore's. I think I have enough flow going down it for now. I am getting an even brown coat on the screen.

Corey

 

[MrineLfRlz]

Ive been really thinking about purchasing the L4 ATS and just have a few questions.
I have a total system volume of 250g and would like to be able to feed 2 cubes every 2 days and i also have a automatic feeder for dry food x2 a day so would this be more then big enough?
I run right now carbon and gfo reactors and would like to stop using the gfo after the purchase if it works well enough ive been doing some reading where some people dont use reactors after the ATS starts working well is this true?
When i dont run gfo my phos. usually stays around 0.06 and im getting tired of having to rinse out the media every time and then purging out the dirty water after turning on the reactors each time i would like something that runs constantly and is natural for the system.
I also dose lanthanum chloride when levels reach above the 0.06 mark which is NOT natural and would love to get away from all of this so can this happen with the ATS?
I also forgot to add i dose vinegar automatically will this help me add less or totally stop the use of that as well for nitrate control?

 

[SantaMonica]

Yes with enough scrubbing, no other filtering is needed.

 

[jerseypete]

well been reading this thread for a while and threw this together. It's has lighting on both side now. It's been running three days now. Will see how it goes. It's in my sump so not really taking up too much space. Hope it works out.

Well this is day 4. I already have brown growth on the screen. I'm using a 20w light on one side and a 10w on the other. When I ordered the 2nd I went higher cause I thought the 10 wasn't enough. Will probably order a 2nd 20w.

 

[outy]

I'm using a 20w light on one side

Which is about 13w actual


I think for your size of a screen its about perfect

 

[jerseypete]

Which is about 13w actual


I think for your size of a screen its about perfect

So ordering another 20 would be better? To have a 20w on either side.

 

[karimwassef]

Has anyone considered making a cylinder ATS in s bucket with a long CFL bulb in the center?

Looks like it would be the most efficient use of space - to - light?