Algae Scrubber Basics

[rad1687]

I see that you recommend using water from the overflow or from a separate pump to feed the ATS. Is there a disadvantage to teeing off the return line and restricting flow with a ball valve to achieve the desired GPH? Thanks for all the hard work you guys!

 

[redneckgearhead]

I see that you recommend using water from the overflow or from a separate pump to feed the ATS. Is there a disadvantage to teeing off the return line and restricting flow with a ball valve to achieve the desired GPH? Thanks for all the hard work you guys!

I think the only disadvantage would be the pump size you would need to do this. You would need a pump that was way over rated for your tank size or your flow to the tank/scrubber would be compromised to a point of diminishing returns.
Just my 2cents.

 

[scott26]

I see that you recommend using water from the overflow or from a separate pump to feed the ATS. Is there a disadvantage to teeing off the return line and restricting flow with a ball valve to achieve the desired GPH? Thanks for all the hard work you guys!

I have done this on my scrubber build I have my MAK 4 teed off to feed my scrubber and one BRS media reactor. It is rated for 1190 GPH and looses almost no head loss so I was able to justify the teed off supply.

 

[Travis1787]

Seems to me my flow is covering more then enough on one side and covering just ok on the other side and I really don't get why cause the slit is the best one I've got yet

 

[redneckgearhead]

Seems to me my flow is covering more then enough on one side and covering just ok on the other side and I really don't get why cause the slit is the best one I've got yet

I think this is pretty normal. It would be almost impossible to get a perfect amount of water on both sides across the entire screen. I think the important thing is that the slot is as straight as you can get it and the GPH is good. The flow will equalize itself once the algae starts to grow.

 

[maglofster]

Guys, just a suggestion. Could it be time for a new thread: Algae Scrubber Advanced?

I think so. This would be a thread where we can discuss the more advanced aspects like chemistry, biology and ways to scientifically prove different theories concerning the scrubber in a (reef) tank.

 

[redneckgearhead]

Guys, just a suggestion. Could it be time for a new thread: Algae Scrubber Advanced?

I think so. This would be a thread where we can discuss the more advanced aspects like chemistry, biology and ways to scientifically prove different theories concerning the scrubber in a (reef) tank.

Id love it. The problem that you run into with threads like that is you get the "flamers" in there starting trouble, then the thread gets closed. There are a few people in these forums that for some reason HATE scrubbers. If you look back at page 60 you will see a small part of what I mean. It usually starts a huge fight.

If you want to start the thread, I would participate.

 

[maglofster]

Ok, started it. Hoping that you guys will pitch in and create the same friendly vibe!

 

[Barfly]

Id love it. The problem that you run into with threads like that is you get the "flamers" in there starting trouble, then the thread gets closed. There are a few people in these forums that for some reason HATE scrubbers. If you look back at page 60 you will see a small part of what I mean. It usually starts a huge fight.

If you want to start the thread, I would participate.

I think the thread would be a great idea, but i disagree with your statement about some people just "hating" scrubbers. When presented with questions or concerns about the use of an ATS, the ATS advocates have failed time and time again to show scientific support for some of the outlandish claims that are made. Algae scrubbers do have their place in the hobby, but it is certainly not the only type of filtration needed, and in most cases, is certainly not the desirable choice.

 

[redneckgearhead]

I think the thread would be a great idea, but i disagree with your statement about some people just "hating" scrubbers. When presented with questions or concerns about the use of an ATS, the ATS advocates have failed time and time again to show scientific support for some of the outlandish claims that are made. Algae scrubbers do have their place in the hobby, but it is certainly not the only type of filtration needed, and in most cases, is certainly not the desirable choice.

Barfly, please start a thread that shows why a scrubber is not desirable.

Myself (or anyone else in this thread) have never made a claim that ATS is the only way to run a tank and should be the only filtration method used, I run a skimmer in my tank as well. I am no scientist and can not back up any of my experiences with science. But they are my experiences and I try to convey that as such in every post I make. There are people that claim that they only run ATS and their tanks are beautiful and thriving. Again this is the internet so I have to take their word for it. And yes there are people that SEEM to hate ATS. They prowl the threads and at any oppurtunity they "flame" the thread about a claim that some one has made and scream "PROVE IT" as if by magic the other person can do so.

 

[travis32]

"Prove it" Lol. I love that one.. Very few of us, if any are scientists..

Can I scientificly prove that calcium, alkalinity, and Magnesium, improves a corals health? I have no clue, I'm told here that corals need it to grow, but, I'm not a biologist, I wouldn't know the first thing about disecting a coral to see if it's healthier or not because of dosing something.

All I have is my visual experience. Either the corals grow or they don't. The same is true of ATSs. Either algae grows or it doesn't and where it grows is what matters with an ATS.. Scientific proof in this hobby is extremely limited.

Heck, I don't know if there's any scientific proof that skimmers out there make a difference in filtration!

My experience so far is mixed... The biggest impact on my algae outbreaks so far... Is losing half of my fish due to a power outtage.. I now, have 3 fish in a 125g tank. running an ATS. I'm limiting my feedings to 3 very small doses of flake food a day with an auto feeder. The fish I have are all nutrient eaters. Sleeper goby, Starry blenny, and cleaner wrasse. They don't require much more than algae. So, I'm letting them fend for what's in the tank. I feed nori once a week. I stopped feeding brine / mysis all together.

80% of my HA and briopsis is turning white. My tank kinda looks like a mass of whitish green algae. I figure in another week the phosphates will be so depleted that the algae will start disappearing all together.

The ATS is helping some, but, there's not a lot of green algae on the ATS. Due to the 24-30 hour power outtage I lost a lot of the green algae, so it's in essence starting over for a couple weeks now.

I will with hold any more major feedings until 95 % of the algae is all white and depleting itself..

I think the nutrients are still leaching from the rock, keeping some algae alive. But, without the food to supplement it, there's way too much algae in the display to survive on the limited amount coming from the rocks.

I'm hoping it essentially burns itself out.. And then the ATS can take over with what little is left hopefully. My tank is just over 6 months old now. So, I'm hoping with some age on it that the rocks will start to deplete their phosphate levels in this condition. I plan to go almost the rest of the summer without any additional fish additions or major changes.

Before I do anything I need to purchase a controller with internet capability so I can know if the system has power or not, and then I need to consider a battery backup for powerheads.

All very expensive items That I'm not sure I'll be able to afford anytime soon, so I will have to go with 3 fish in a 125g... Not as fun, but keeps the corals happy I guess.

Hopefully the ATS doesn't die as a result of the display being depleted of nutrients due to limited amounts of fish and feedings.

 

[srusso]

Ok, started it. Hoping that you guys will pitch in and create the same friendly vibe!

Please post a link to thread

 

[redneckgearhead]

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2028045 there you go.

 

[srusso]

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2028045 there you go.

Thanks, Great start to that thread, I will be focusing most my efforts on the advanced thread now.

I agree we have run the course on the basics. I think if someone really reads the entire thread than they will get the idea on how to properly build and run an algae scrubber.

Becuase now it just feels like beating a dead... :deadhorse:
Been waiting for a good time to use the smilie... hahaha

 

[maglofster]

"Prove it" Lol. I love that one.. Very few of us, if any are scientists..

Well, what defines a scientist? Could it be a person that uses scientific methods to test and prove theories? I mean a lot of people (in the past and now) have come up with beautiful stuff without being MIT alumni.

For example, I know that Floyd R Turbo is doing some VERY interesting thinking on how to "determine growth rates of algae under various light sources in an Algae Scrubber system on a marine aquarium" using scientific method.

And if I can help in his ventures by setting up an extra tank in my garage in Sweden and doing tests according to his protocol. I will do it.

 

[Floyd R Turbo]

Thanks for the plug maglofster. I will be posting periodic updates on my experiment on the advanced thread...

 

[Barfly]

"Prove it" Lol. I love that one.. Very few of us, if any are scientists..

Can I scientificly prove that calcium, alkalinity, and Magnesium, improves a corals health?

There are many studies done to prove that ca, alk, and mg are needed for coral health and a stable, healthy environment.

HTH

 

[mrbncal]

There are many studies done to prove that ca, alk, and mg are needed for coral health and a stable, healthy environment.

HTH

:deadhorse: I have a tank overflowing with healthy corals, anenomes, polyps, sponges, fish, etc. that proves to me this form of filtration works. Provide proof why the ATS filtration idea shouldn't work.

 

[PaPa_Johnny]

guys, I really like reading this thread. Please keep it civil so it doesn't go the way of all the rest of them . Just ignore the nay sayers, report your personal results, and experiences building/operating ATS's .

thanks for all the great pokes in the right directions guys !

 

[parrotchute]

Sorry to take it off the present topic a bit, but a quick question:
For the flow of the scrubber, should it go in the slotted pipe, then have a space to flow out the other end? Or should that end be capped, forcing ALL the water through the slots? It's somewhat unclear looking at some pics.

Thanks!!