Floyd R Turbo
Either busy or sleeping
Generally, submerged substrates do not grow well without some kind of agitation, hence the UAS (bubbles).
There is a chaeto reactor called ARID that does what you are describing though.
Algae Scrubber Basics
- Thread starter srusso
- Start date
Generally, submerged substrates do not grow well without some kind of agitation, hence the UAS (bubbles).
There is a chaeto reactor called ARID that does what you are describing though.
SantaMonica
Well-known member
Just google upflow algae scrubber, that's what you are describing. It was invented 3 years after the waterfall, so the waterfall had more years to be read about.
Soon however I'll be posting the first improvements to the waterfall since 2008, completely eliminating most of the current problems with them.
Soon however I'll be posting the first improvements to the waterfall since 2008, completely eliminating most of the current problems with them.
karimwassef
Active member
My $0.02
The best ATS IMO is:
Light source
V
Air
V
Water/air boundary
V
Flowing water (reversing, varying is best)
V
Mesh
If you add a layer of glass/acrylic between the light and water, you get salt buildup and lose light
If you have water immediately behind the glass, you get cyano or algae buildup on the glass
Each tank is different, but the traditional waterfall works best for me. I've achieved varying flow. I still don't have reversed flow - and I think it's a big deal, but that's TBD.
The best ATS IMO is:
Light source
V
Air
V
Water/air boundary
V
Flowing water (reversing, varying is best)
V
Mesh
If you add a layer of glass/acrylic between the light and water, you get salt buildup and lose light
If you have water immediately behind the glass, you get cyano or algae buildup on the glass
Each tank is different, but the traditional waterfall works best for me. I've achieved varying flow. I still don't have reversed flow - and I think it's a big deal, but that's TBD.
Horace
New member
jason2459
Well-known member
How soon is that soon? I'm interested in what you've done.
SantaMonica
Well-known member
Should be not too long... maybe a few weeks. The first one is focused on just plain simplicity and easy DIY, and is totally different from all styles ever made. Can't say much more about it yet though.
The one after that has direct improvements to the current waterfall styles. And the ones after that focus on improving other things, and are also different than anything ever made.
The first one though is probably the most use to the most people, because it's so easy. It actually came about accidentally while fine-tuning the other ones.
The one after that has direct improvements to the current waterfall styles. And the ones after that focus on improving other things, and are also different than anything ever made.
The first one though is probably the most use to the most people, because it's so easy. It actually came about accidentally while fine-tuning the other ones.
karimwassef
Active member
I took the lights down to add the blues... definitely some salt creep on the bottom (right of the image)
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/B0A020AB-3F3B-4FEE-85BB-D5D03BA97B24_zpsp6fgj1o4.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/B0A020AB-3F3B-4FEE-85BB-D5D03BA97B24_zpsp6fgj1o4.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo B0A020AB-3F3B-4FEE-85BB-D5D03BA97B24_zpsp6fgj1o4.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/B0A020AB-3F3B-4FEE-85BB-D5D03BA97B24_zpsp6fgj1o4.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/B0A020AB-3F3B-4FEE-85BB-D5D03BA97B24_zpsp6fgj1o4.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo B0A020AB-3F3B-4FEE-85BB-D5D03BA97B24_zpsp6fgj1o4.jpg"/></a>
karimwassef
Active member
Ok. Here is the addition of blues:
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/d6f59884-f104-4a49-b7f5-a6e4a7b25c13_zpsjlt0nnr5.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/d6f59884-f104-4a49-b7f5-a6e4a7b25c13_zpsjlt0nnr5.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo d6f59884-f104-4a49-b7f5-a6e4a7b25c13_zpsjlt0nnr5.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/E77F5C2D-F8FA-44C2-8DD9-B326694EFC79_zpsj8y4xqty.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/E77F5C2D-F8FA-44C2-8DD9-B326694EFC79_zpsj8y4xqty.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo E77F5C2D-F8FA-44C2-8DD9-B326694EFC79_zpsj8y4xqty.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/7D4DC967-3ABA-4555-A300-1F4AB0B9B8CD_zps7vngm5yg.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/7D4DC967-3ABA-4555-A300-1F4AB0B9B8CD_zps7vngm5yg.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 7D4DC967-3ABA-4555-A300-1F4AB0B9B8CD_zps7vngm5yg.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/648948B1-A16D-42A7-A12F-7529DF16B427_zpsmhd8pcv0.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/648948B1-A16D-42A7-A12F-7529DF16B427_zpsmhd8pcv0.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 648948B1-A16D-42A7-A12F-7529DF16B427_zpsmhd8pcv0.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/C2CA88E3-EF71-484C-9347-41760DC44D1B_zpsaxyooltf.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/C2CA88E3-EF71-484C-9347-41760DC44D1B_zpsaxyooltf.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo C2CA88E3-EF71-484C-9347-41760DC44D1B_zpsaxyooltf.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/CBAF7246-3404-42E1-B607-D49052D6DBF0_zpsulvl67xh.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/CBAF7246-3404-42E1-B607-D49052D6DBF0_zpsulvl67xh.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo CBAF7246-3404-42E1-B607-D49052D6DBF0_zpsulvl67xh.jpg"/></a>
reds are still on the way.
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/d6f59884-f104-4a49-b7f5-a6e4a7b25c13_zpsjlt0nnr5.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/d6f59884-f104-4a49-b7f5-a6e4a7b25c13_zpsjlt0nnr5.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo d6f59884-f104-4a49-b7f5-a6e4a7b25c13_zpsjlt0nnr5.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/E77F5C2D-F8FA-44C2-8DD9-B326694EFC79_zpsj8y4xqty.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/E77F5C2D-F8FA-44C2-8DD9-B326694EFC79_zpsj8y4xqty.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo E77F5C2D-F8FA-44C2-8DD9-B326694EFC79_zpsj8y4xqty.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/7D4DC967-3ABA-4555-A300-1F4AB0B9B8CD_zps7vngm5yg.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/7D4DC967-3ABA-4555-A300-1F4AB0B9B8CD_zps7vngm5yg.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 7D4DC967-3ABA-4555-A300-1F4AB0B9B8CD_zps7vngm5yg.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/648948B1-A16D-42A7-A12F-7529DF16B427_zpsmhd8pcv0.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/648948B1-A16D-42A7-A12F-7529DF16B427_zpsmhd8pcv0.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 648948B1-A16D-42A7-A12F-7529DF16B427_zpsmhd8pcv0.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/C2CA88E3-EF71-484C-9347-41760DC44D1B_zpsaxyooltf.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/C2CA88E3-EF71-484C-9347-41760DC44D1B_zpsaxyooltf.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo C2CA88E3-EF71-484C-9347-41760DC44D1B_zpsaxyooltf.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/CBAF7246-3404-42E1-B607-D49052D6DBF0_zpsulvl67xh.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/CBAF7246-3404-42E1-B607-D49052D6DBF0_zpsulvl67xh.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo CBAF7246-3404-42E1-B607-D49052D6DBF0_zpsulvl67xh.jpg"/></a>
reds are still on the way.
Floyd R Turbo
Either busy or sleeping
I'll be interested if these work. They violate my "must have punch" rule of thumb.
karimwassef
Active member
Which? The blues? The total is over 50W now.
karimwassef
Active member
Here's the PAR reading. I think my mounting design at the top moved the light an inch or so back because the PAR reading dropped for the baseline case of cool white only LEDs to 280.
The blue LEDs added another 80 for a combined PAR of 360.
Still waiting on the adapter for the 200W CFL
The blue LEDs added another 80 for a combined PAR of 360.
Still waiting on the adapter for the 200W CFL
karimwassef
Active member
it was in my mailbox... ok. here are the results of all the light comparisons
I decided to use a consistent test setup to minimize error:
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/F97C449A-B55F-47D4-A359-85148A1D1A1E_zpsgvp0gci2.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/F97C449A-B55F-47D4-A359-85148A1D1A1E_zpsgvp0gci2.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo F97C449A-B55F-47D4-A359-85148A1D1A1E_zpsgvp0gci2.jpg"/></a>
120W CFL
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/FDA0B28C-D451-4C60-B8C7-743BEDD61911_zpsg4z6r2hj.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/FDA0B28C-D451-4C60-B8C7-743BEDD61911_zpsg4z6r2hj.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo FDA0B28C-D451-4C60-B8C7-743BEDD61911_zpsg4z6r2hj.jpg"/></a>
200W CFL
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/DDC7F26F-3D4D-40C6-8418-80A299DFFDA4_zpscck2nlou.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/DDC7F26F-3D4D-40C6-8418-80A299DFFDA4_zpscck2nlou.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo DDC7F26F-3D4D-40C6-8418-80A299DFFDA4_zpscck2nlou.jpg"/></a>
45W CW LED
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/F190ACC4-BDC3-4F4E-B456-16DE4CA01301_zps53bstv1d.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/F190ACC4-BDC3-4F4E-B456-16DE4CA01301_zps53bstv1d.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo F190ACC4-BDC3-4F4E-B456-16DE4CA01301_zps53bstv1d.jpg"/></a>
35W BLUE LED
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/7DF2CCB2-AFFD-4E9F-8E79-B0649C47C7AF_zpsibeqxjsx.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/7DF2CCB2-AFFD-4E9F-8E79-B0649C47C7AF_zpsibeqxjsx.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 7DF2CCB2-AFFD-4E9F-8E79-B0649C47C7AF_zpsibeqxjsx.jpg"/></a>
80W combined CW LED and BLUE LED
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/0208ACBE-5C41-44C4-9A2E-23018B307DFA_zpspyyzyuqq.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/0208ACBE-5C41-44C4-9A2E-23018B307DFA_zpspyyzyuqq.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 0208ACBE-5C41-44C4-9A2E-23018B307DFA_zpspyyzyuqq.jpg"/></a>
That should be pretty consistent in terms of comparing light.. they're all 12" from light source to detector
I decided to use a consistent test setup to minimize error:
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/F97C449A-B55F-47D4-A359-85148A1D1A1E_zpsgvp0gci2.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/F97C449A-B55F-47D4-A359-85148A1D1A1E_zpsgvp0gci2.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo F97C449A-B55F-47D4-A359-85148A1D1A1E_zpsgvp0gci2.jpg"/></a>
120W CFL
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/FDA0B28C-D451-4C60-B8C7-743BEDD61911_zpsg4z6r2hj.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/FDA0B28C-D451-4C60-B8C7-743BEDD61911_zpsg4z6r2hj.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo FDA0B28C-D451-4C60-B8C7-743BEDD61911_zpsg4z6r2hj.jpg"/></a>
200W CFL
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/DDC7F26F-3D4D-40C6-8418-80A299DFFDA4_zpscck2nlou.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/DDC7F26F-3D4D-40C6-8418-80A299DFFDA4_zpscck2nlou.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo DDC7F26F-3D4D-40C6-8418-80A299DFFDA4_zpscck2nlou.jpg"/></a>
45W CW LED
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/F190ACC4-BDC3-4F4E-B456-16DE4CA01301_zps53bstv1d.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/F190ACC4-BDC3-4F4E-B456-16DE4CA01301_zps53bstv1d.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo F190ACC4-BDC3-4F4E-B456-16DE4CA01301_zps53bstv1d.jpg"/></a>
35W BLUE LED
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/7DF2CCB2-AFFD-4E9F-8E79-B0649C47C7AF_zpsibeqxjsx.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/7DF2CCB2-AFFD-4E9F-8E79-B0649C47C7AF_zpsibeqxjsx.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 7DF2CCB2-AFFD-4E9F-8E79-B0649C47C7AF_zpsibeqxjsx.jpg"/></a>
80W combined CW LED and BLUE LED
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/0208ACBE-5C41-44C4-9A2E-23018B307DFA_zpspyyzyuqq.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/0208ACBE-5C41-44C4-9A2E-23018B307DFA_zpspyyzyuqq.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 0208ACBE-5C41-44C4-9A2E-23018B307DFA_zpspyyzyuqq.jpg"/></a>
That should be pretty consistent in terms of comparing light.. they're all 12" from light source to detector
karimwassef
Active member
120W CFL 105 PAR = 0.9 PAR/W
200W CFL 175 PAR = 0.9 PAR/W (really didn't expect them to be so close. The 200W is brand new)
45W (3.7A) CW 7020 LED 200 PAR = 4.5 PAR/W
35W (2.9A) BL 5630 LED 73 PAR = 2.1 PAR/W
80W (6.6A) BL + CW LED 276 PAR = 3.5 PAR/W
So the 7020s are really boss! Too bad they only come in CW and WW
Also... The light output and current both went down when I changed up my wiring. The longer the wire (more resistance), the lower the PAR and power...
200W CFL 175 PAR = 0.9 PAR/W (really didn't expect them to be so close. The 200W is brand new)
45W (3.7A) CW 7020 LED 200 PAR = 4.5 PAR/W
35W (2.9A) BL 5630 LED 73 PAR = 2.1 PAR/W
80W (6.6A) BL + CW LED 276 PAR = 3.5 PAR/W
So the 7020s are really boss! Too bad they only come in CW and WW
Also... The light output and current both went down when I changed up my wiring. The longer the wire (more resistance), the lower the PAR and power...
MaccaPopEye
New member
Just did cleaning #11 today so figured I'd do a quick growth pic like I did for cleaning #6 (can't be bothered waiting another 2 weeks to make it an even 12 haha).
Growth took off fast and was going ok until I stopped cleaning weekly and went to fortnightly and then the next couple of cleans were massive!
The amount of growth slowed down a bit but my tank is really well on the way to algae free now. Any algae left is in small clumps and still reducing. Compared to the whole tank being an algae carpet haha.
The last 4 cleanings have had very consistent growth (approx 35g after most of the water is squeezed out) and although the algae is really looking quite dark, thin and spread out the growth is consistent which is awesome.
I think it's really on the way to being properly mature. Now I'd really like to try and get the growth to be more green and longer. Any suggestions? Lights are the grey multichip ebay flood lights, 18on 6off flow is about the recommended goal (maybe a tiny bit under or over). Only thing I can think of its it is a 2 cube/day screen but I only feed half to 1 cube/day as I'm still coming back from the massive algae bloom.
(dates are day/month as they should be
)
Bottom photo was a day or two after the scrubber went online and the top photo is about 2 weeks ago (I'm slowly moving most of the rocks down to the sump for a re-scape in new rock). In case anyone is interested the tank is approx 430L inc the sump. Was running algae free for about 8 months (I think around Aug 2015) then gha took over very fast. Added heaps of snails, increased gfo, upped water changes, new skimmer, manual removal nothing seemed to help over the next few months. I used to do a 15% water change every week but after putting the scrubber on in Feb 2016 I got busy and now do one every 3-4 weeks. I also have a skimmer (sc1350) and now run seachem seagel (changed way less often than I should)
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk
Growth took off fast and was going ok until I stopped cleaning weekly and went to fortnightly and then the next couple of cleans were massive!
The amount of growth slowed down a bit but my tank is really well on the way to algae free now. Any algae left is in small clumps and still reducing. Compared to the whole tank being an algae carpet haha.
The last 4 cleanings have had very consistent growth (approx 35g after most of the water is squeezed out) and although the algae is really looking quite dark, thin and spread out the growth is consistent which is awesome.
I think it's really on the way to being properly mature. Now I'd really like to try and get the growth to be more green and longer. Any suggestions? Lights are the grey multichip ebay flood lights, 18on 6off flow is about the recommended goal (maybe a tiny bit under or over). Only thing I can think of its it is a 2 cube/day screen but I only feed half to 1 cube/day as I'm still coming back from the massive algae bloom.
(dates are day/month as they should be
)
Bottom photo was a day or two after the scrubber went online and the top photo is about 2 weeks ago (I'm slowly moving most of the rocks down to the sump for a re-scape in new rock). In case anyone is interested the tank is approx 430L inc the sump. Was running algae free for about 8 months (I think around Aug 2015) then gha took over very fast. Added heaps of snails, increased gfo, upped water changes, new skimmer, manual removal nothing seemed to help over the next few months. I used to do a 15% water change every week but after putting the scrubber on in Feb 2016 I got busy and now do one every 3-4 weeks. I also have a skimmer (sc1350) and now run seachem seagel (changed way less often than I should
)
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk
karimwassef
Active member
Yes. I've actually done that (Saran wrap).
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2467324
Post #11
And
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=23064722
Post #369
It does degrade with long term heat exposure. It also acts as a blanket stopping the metal plate from cooling down (unless the back is planned to be open, etc...)
I did find a source for shape able clear semi-rigid plastic sheet but I really don't want a salty crust mess to constantly clean. I'm actually reconsidering taking the screen down and redoing it all with the stretchy elastic string to avoid the splashing effects of the zip ties.
If I can just convince my 9yr old that it would be a kickass summer arts and crafts project... She can stitch as well as I can....
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2467324
Post #11
And
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=23064722
Post #369
It does degrade with long term heat exposure. It also acts as a blanket stopping the metal plate from cooling down (unless the back is planned to be open, etc...)
I did find a source for shape able clear semi-rigid plastic sheet but I really don't want a salty crust mess to constantly clean. I'm actually reconsidering taking the screen down and redoing it all with the stretchy elastic string to avoid the splashing effects of the zip ties.
If I can just convince my 9yr old that it would be a kickass summer arts and crafts project... She can stitch as well as I can....
karimwassef
Active member
hmm.. after a couple of days, my screen is turning brown in the roughest areas
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/571A4CF6-D609-4E46-815B-279E775C4F11_zpslgumopzx.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/571A4CF6-D609-4E46-815B-279E775C4F11_zpslgumopzx.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 571A4CF6-D609-4E46-815B-279E775C4F11_zpslgumopzx.jpg"/></a>
And more towards the bottom that is occasionally more submerged
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/D784B704-153A-4BC8-A911-2BB02A89DFA4_zps3spti2i2.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/D784B704-153A-4BC8-A911-2BB02A89DFA4_zps3spti2i2.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo D784B704-153A-4BC8-A911-2BB02A89DFA4_zps3spti2i2.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/5C5EA1EA-CD7B-4992-92D4-002DF0A9349F_zpsqgnis07b.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/5C5EA1EA-CD7B-4992-92D4-002DF0A9349F_zpsqgnis07b.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 5C5EA1EA-CD7B-4992-92D4-002DF0A9349F_zpsqgnis07b.jpg"/></a>
It doesn't look like algae... more like dirt... thoughts?
I don't have mechanical filtration in the tank, unless you count my skimmer... so only water changes and export can remove relatively large and non-organic particles in the tank (like sand or dirt).
I recently ran a cycle of chemiclean to remove some messy cyano due to my insect problem overloading on top of my heavy feeding. It worked great and removed the cyano, but I think the dirty brown sandy stuff is a bi-product? The theory is that the dying cyano coalesces into this dirty brown sandy stuff and now it's coating the roughest parts of the screens.
should I remove and clean the screen or just let it go?
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/571A4CF6-D609-4E46-815B-279E775C4F11_zpslgumopzx.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/571A4CF6-D609-4E46-815B-279E775C4F11_zpslgumopzx.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 571A4CF6-D609-4E46-815B-279E775C4F11_zpslgumopzx.jpg"/></a>
And more towards the bottom that is occasionally more submerged
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/D784B704-153A-4BC8-A911-2BB02A89DFA4_zps3spti2i2.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/D784B704-153A-4BC8-A911-2BB02A89DFA4_zps3spti2i2.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo D784B704-153A-4BC8-A911-2BB02A89DFA4_zps3spti2i2.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/5C5EA1EA-CD7B-4992-92D4-002DF0A9349F_zpsqgnis07b.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/5C5EA1EA-CD7B-4992-92D4-002DF0A9349F_zpsqgnis07b.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 5C5EA1EA-CD7B-4992-92D4-002DF0A9349F_zpsqgnis07b.jpg"/></a>
It doesn't look like algae... more like dirt... thoughts?
I don't have mechanical filtration in the tank, unless you count my skimmer... so only water changes and export can remove relatively large and non-organic particles in the tank (like sand or dirt).
I recently ran a cycle of chemiclean to remove some messy cyano due to my insect problem overloading on top of my heavy feeding. It worked great and removed the cyano, but I think the dirty brown sandy stuff is a bi-product? The theory is that the dying cyano coalesces into this dirty brown sandy stuff and now it's coating the roughest parts of the screens.
should I remove and clean the screen or just let it go?
Last edited:
karimwassef
Active member
the snails and crabs always trying to break into the scrubbers... but I have blockades to keep them back. They're fine though. I have 12 large tangs and they're fine too.
karimwassef
Active member
ok. I'm convinced that something is creating this brown dust. Here's the holding tank above the ATS screen.
Here's the low flow side
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/11A5D614-3CC1-497B-833D-AA8F7C59016D_zpsyzve1yip.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/11A5D614-3CC1-497B-833D-AA8F7C59016D_zpsyzve1yip.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 11A5D614-3CC1-497B-833D-AA8F7C59016D_zpsyzve1yip.jpg"/></a>
compared to the high flow side
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/D65AF21A-8FAB-4765-A58B-5D955D40DDB3_zps9eglgmo7.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/D65AF21A-8FAB-4765-A58B-5D955D40DDB3_zps9eglgmo7.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo D65AF21A-8FAB-4765-A58B-5D955D40DDB3_zps9eglgmo7.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/D6E6889B-EE44-43CE-B348-F81522BD7420_zpscnsgmafu.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/D6E6889B-EE44-43CE-B348-F81522BD7420_zpscnsgmafu.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo D6E6889B-EE44-43CE-B348-F81522BD7420_zpscnsgmafu.jpg"/></a>
so I wanted to check on my corals and they're VERY open... even with my full surge on that usually makes them retract their polyps. They're pushing against the surge to stay open...
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/6908B6A9-C74E-4DEC-9324-F0FCFB31E524_zps2s0po7dn.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/6908B6A9-C74E-4DEC-9324-F0FCFB31E524_zps2s0po7dn.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 6908B6A9-C74E-4DEC-9324-F0FCFB31E524_zps2s0po7dn.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/F612168F-C37A-405A-9E2A-26D8FAE84661_zpso4e81a2k.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/F612168F-C37A-405A-9E2A-26D8FAE84661_zpso4e81a2k.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo F612168F-C37A-405A-9E2A-26D8FAE84661_zpso4e81a2k.jpg"/></a>
so maybe it's not in the DT?? Nope... it is, here's the final proof that I have brown dust in the DT... that's a sea cucumber covered in the stuff... look closely
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/0D98FDD0-FECC-48E8-846C-F7A2D1CDF1D5_zpsizmpfesi.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/0D98FDD0-FECC-48E8-846C-F7A2D1CDF1D5_zpsizmpfesi.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 0D98FDD0-FECC-48E8-846C-F7A2D1CDF1D5_zpsizmpfesi.jpg"/></a>
Overall, the tank looks healthy
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/40564155-8DFA-4934-9C41-785C022F1842_zps1mcc56kz.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/40564155-8DFA-4934-9C41-785C022F1842_zps1mcc56kz.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 40564155-8DFA-4934-9C41-785C022F1842_zps1mcc56kz.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/0553E7C0-8644-409A-9834-535C4B12BAD4_zps4k489roy.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/0553E7C0-8644-409A-9834-535C4B12BAD4_zps4k489roy.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 0553E7C0-8644-409A-9834-535C4B12BAD4_zps4k489roy.jpg"/></a>
I might have to add some temporary filtration to deal with this stuff... It's not hurting anything, but it's not normal for my tank.
Here's the low flow side
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/11A5D614-3CC1-497B-833D-AA8F7C59016D_zpsyzve1yip.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/11A5D614-3CC1-497B-833D-AA8F7C59016D_zpsyzve1yip.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 11A5D614-3CC1-497B-833D-AA8F7C59016D_zpsyzve1yip.jpg"/></a>
compared to the high flow side
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/D65AF21A-8FAB-4765-A58B-5D955D40DDB3_zps9eglgmo7.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/D65AF21A-8FAB-4765-A58B-5D955D40DDB3_zps9eglgmo7.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo D65AF21A-8FAB-4765-A58B-5D955D40DDB3_zps9eglgmo7.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/D6E6889B-EE44-43CE-B348-F81522BD7420_zpscnsgmafu.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/D6E6889B-EE44-43CE-B348-F81522BD7420_zpscnsgmafu.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo D6E6889B-EE44-43CE-B348-F81522BD7420_zpscnsgmafu.jpg"/></a>
so I wanted to check on my corals and they're VERY open... even with my full surge on that usually makes them retract their polyps. They're pushing against the surge to stay open...
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/6908B6A9-C74E-4DEC-9324-F0FCFB31E524_zps2s0po7dn.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/6908B6A9-C74E-4DEC-9324-F0FCFB31E524_zps2s0po7dn.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 6908B6A9-C74E-4DEC-9324-F0FCFB31E524_zps2s0po7dn.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/F612168F-C37A-405A-9E2A-26D8FAE84661_zpso4e81a2k.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/F612168F-C37A-405A-9E2A-26D8FAE84661_zpso4e81a2k.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo F612168F-C37A-405A-9E2A-26D8FAE84661_zpso4e81a2k.jpg"/></a>
so maybe it's not in the DT?? Nope... it is, here's the final proof that I have brown dust in the DT... that's a sea cucumber covered in the stuff... look closely
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/0D98FDD0-FECC-48E8-846C-F7A2D1CDF1D5_zpsizmpfesi.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/0D98FDD0-FECC-48E8-846C-F7A2D1CDF1D5_zpsizmpfesi.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 0D98FDD0-FECC-48E8-846C-F7A2D1CDF1D5_zpsizmpfesi.jpg"/></a>
Overall, the tank looks healthy
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/40564155-8DFA-4934-9C41-785C022F1842_zps1mcc56kz.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/40564155-8DFA-4934-9C41-785C022F1842_zps1mcc56kz.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 40564155-8DFA-4934-9C41-785C022F1842_zps1mcc56kz.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/0553E7C0-8644-409A-9834-535C4B12BAD4_zps4k489roy.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/0553E7C0-8644-409A-9834-535C4B12BAD4_zps4k489roy.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 0553E7C0-8644-409A-9834-535C4B12BAD4_zps4k489roy.jpg"/></a>
I might have to add some temporary filtration to deal with this stuff... It's not hurting anything, but it's not normal for my tank.
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