Algae Scrubber Basics
- Thread starter srusso
- Start date
karimwassef
Active member
Are there phosphates? I thought it was just nitrates to supplement the need for nitrogen fixing bacteria.
karimwassef
Active member
But back to ATS... This shouldn't hurt or overwhelm an ATS, in theory - right?
jrp1588
New member
I have no idea actually. I can't find much info from my quick Google search.
wildwilly1
New member
I have those same lights hkgar I like them but they are just so small worried they are too small and not powerful enough the reds are only like 530-550 nm I think you need 660 nm if I remember. just worried that maybe the new 50watts I ordered are too strong but I guess I can always increase the flow or move back from screen a little
karimwassef
Active member
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/0_zpsbx53vwty.png.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/0_zpsbx53vwty.png" border="0" alt=" photo 0_zpsbx53vwty.png"/></a>
http://agr.wa.gov/PestFert/Fertilizers/FertDB/prodinfo.aspx?pname=2101
http://oda.state.or.us/dbs/heavy_metal/detail.lasso?-op=eq&product_id=6023
what's the safe Cu ppb level?
outy
New member
karimwassef
Active member
then noone is safe... LOL
there's no such thing as 0 in nature. there's always some parts per billion, unless you're in a clean room, and even then...
there's no such thing as 0 in nature. there's always some parts per billion, unless you're in a clean room, and even then...
SantaMonica
Well-known member
Pics are needed for this.
Scrubbers/algae do not absorb organics at all. Only inorganics.
Something is wrong there. Some chemical (copper, etc) killed the scrubber, and thus without the scrubber to absorb nutrients, the dino's grew. If a scrubber is working at all, dino's and diatoms are the first to go (sand clears up, etc.)
That's the best.
outy
New member
yes PPB Randy once measured 15ppb
don't screw around AT ALL with poison in your tank, what so hard to understand?
karimwassef
Active member
I recommend that those who find it so hard to believe: join the dino thread in the chemistry forum. Dinoflagellates are not algae. They create an environment that is toxic to algae. There's no copper, but they do create poisons that kill snails, crabs and fish.
If a scrubber is working at all - dinos can take over - if a chemical is added that rapidly reduces nutrients below where algae needs to survive and dinos can thrive. Please read my full description above and visit the dino thread if you want to recommend other treatments.
If you've never dealt with them, I would advise against jumping to easy remedies prematurely - it's not very kind to those that are on the verge of leaving the hobby because of them.
I personally think a supercharged ATS with a lot of food is one of the answers - but that doesn't preclude an ATS dying and dinos taking over if other chemicals are added.
Steadysteady
New member
I'm about to build a ATS and am considering these lights for similar size screen. I've seen some posts about these causing a hot spot in centre of screen, that been an issue for you. Did you attach them either side to acrylic box or something?
salty joe
Active member
What chemicals are you talking about?
BTW, the level of copper toxic to our tanks is well below what our hobby test kits can detect.
jrp1588
New member
I recommend that those who find it so hard to believe: join the dino thread in the chemistry forum. Dinoflagellates are not algae. They create an environment that is toxic to algae. There's no copper, but they do create poisons that kill snails, crabs and fish.
If a scrubber is working at all - dinos can take over - if a chemical is added that rapidly reduces nutrients below where algae needs to survive and dinos can thrive. Please read my full description above and visit the dino thread if you want to recommend other treatments.
If you've never dealt with them, I would advise against jumping to easy remedies prematurely - it's not very kind to those that are on the verge of leaving the hobby because of them.
I personally think a supercharged ATS with a lot of food is one of the answers - but that doesn't preclude an ATS dying and dinos taking over if other chemicals are added.
Shoot, I don't even run a low nutrient system, and I've still struggled off and on with them.
wildwilly1
New member
well I guess I will be trying out the 50 watts from amazon got in a hurry yesterday and ordered them couldn't cancel this morn so we will see. just hope they are not too strong . I am using a sync silence pump 3.0 .it is rated at 900 plus gph so I guess I can just increase the flow
wildwilly1
New member
im sorry 714 gph .
hkgar
Active member
According to the description for these lights on Amazon they are 630 nm, true not 660 but better than 550
Wavelength : Red 620-630nm,Blue 460-470nm
Waterproof: IP65
Certificates: CE, ROHS, FCC
Suggested Continuous Working Time: 10-15 hours per day
1 Year Warranty!
How specific wavelength works:
Blue wavelength 460nm: Help plants grow
Red wavelength 630nm: Help plants grow and flowering,red LED is the key for flowering plants
karimwassef
Active member
For me, I think it was a combination of LaCl and an alumina oxide based reactor. The combination killed all hair algae very quickly. The La killed them very quickly and as their tissue dissolved, the alumina soaked it up.. It's not the only variable, but this is what set it off for me.
Others have used "reef safe algicides", etc...
I wasn't going to add copper and measure it. I wanted to run the math to see what dose would be low enough to be below the limit. Even frozen food has some ppb metals and we feed constantly. It's like human consumption and Arsenic... Needs to be very very very low, but nothing is zero. I never liked brussel sprouts (higher in As).
Ok... To close this out- the recommendation was to go with a sodium nitrate additive instead.
outy
New member
nope mine is open and at an angle looking down on the screen.
So far there is no spot as I have mine further away.
Its been up for 2 weeks so the bright green GHA will show the results when it starts
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