Algae Scrubber Basics

[BluScrnOdeth]

Well switching to the PC lights produces a lot more RED algae. Not as much green as i was getting with my CFL's. So, if i can get some time after homework tonight, i think that i'll be converting over my lighting to some proper lighting like i once had. RED keeps miltiplying like crazy, but its the green that i want.

 

[srusso]

Well switching to the PC lights produces a lot more RED algae. Not as much green as i was getting with my CFL's. So, if i can get some time after homework tonight, i think that i'll be converting over my lighting to some proper lighting like i once had. RED keeps miltiplying like crazy, but its the green that i want.

Green is optimal for scrubbing power in this type of build, you correct. If I understand you correctly. You had CFLs, switched to PC and are now switching back to the CFLs? I looked back through your posts here and I didn't see and photos of your setup. Would you mind posting some pictures for reference? It will help others to see it. I think you mentioned you have a direct feed scrubber over the top of your frag tank, if that's true it would be the first pictures on the thread of that type of build.

 

[BluScrnOdeth]

Mine is gravity fed under the tank like many you see here. I had to replace the CFL's i was using and thought that i would give my PC lights a shot and see what would happen. The PC lights came from above my Frags that i replaced with LEDs. THe RED algae seems to be working (though i havent had ahy change to get ahold of a PO4 test kit yet to be certain of that) But all my other levels i have posted are top notch. My images i posted of my scubber were on the previous topic before this sticky was made but i'll surely post them again.

As promised, here is my setup:

power compacts on both sides
<img src="http://www.aquatic-refuge.com/RandomPics/1.jpg" width="400" height="300">

algae after just a few days (less than a week)
<img src="http://www.aquatic-refuge.com/RandomPics/2.jpg" width="400" height="300">

return pump
<img src="http://www.aquatic-refuge.com/RandomPics/3.jpg" width="400" height="300">

gravity fed (double 3/4" pipes connected to a single 1" pipe)
<img src="http://www.aquatic-refuge.com/RandomPics/4.jpg" width="400" height="300">

mini overflow (just enough to keep the water above the outlets to reduce the noise.
<img src="http://www.aquatic-refuge.com/RandomPics/5.jpg" width="400" height="300">

inlet back to the tank from the pump
<img src="http://www.aquatic-refuge.com/RandomPics/6.jpg" width="400" height="300">

excuse how crappy the walls look. School has been kicking me in the butt and i havent had a chance to clean it. I have noticed that my fish and stuff have been enjoying it though (eating it) same with my long spine urchin.

 

[Floyd R Turbo]

done with my scrubber.
however, my problem is the the water not wetting the whole screen.
flow is good, but there are some spots that werent wet.

help for a sol'n is appreciated.

I don't know if you got a response here or not - didn't see it. It will take a week or two for your screen to 'slime up' and the water will even out. So even if you have good flow (and a rough screen) it may still not cover the whole screen. Double check

1) your screen is very rough

2) you flow is around 35 GPH/inch of screen width

 

[Floyd R Turbo]

Mine is gravity fed under the tank like many you see here. I had to replace the CFL's i was using and thought that i would give my PC lights a shot and see what would happen. The PC lights came from above my Frags that i replaced with LEDs. THe RED algae seems to be working (though i havent had ahy change to get ahold of a PO4 test kit yet to be certain of that) But all my other levels i have posted are top notch. My images i posted of my scubber were on the previous topic before this sticky was made but i'll surely post them again.

Are you sure that you're not getting cyano or coralline on the screen?

 

[BluScrnOdeth]

Are you sure that you're not getting cyano or coralline on the screen?

Yeah, im 100% sure of the difference. I cleaned it off a couple days ago, pealed right off, stringy, smelled like the after math of a chillie cheese hotdog. Yeah, i'm pretty sure. lol

 

[Floyd R Turbo]

So I'm confused - what type of algae do you think you're getting?

 

[BluScrnOdeth]

Not 100% sure what the name is but i dont think its Cyno, it doesnt feel slimy like Cyno that occasionally grew on the bottom of my tank, its actually hairy/grows in strands (could be due to the current???) But it could be Cyno, i'm not sure, i just know its not coralline.

 

[Floyd R Turbo]

I wasn't asking if you knew the difference between cyano and coralline, I was asking if you were sure that you were NOT getting cyano or coralline. I asked because your screen is very red looking, and contrary to the name "red turf algae" it is actually more brownish-red, not purple-red or blood-red.

What you are growing on your screen appears to be cyano algae or cyanobacteria - "red slime". You do not want this in your tank obviously, as it is extremely difficult to get rid of. It is the same stuff that was growing on the bottom of your tank that you mentioned.

I believe you are getting this growth because you are using the improper lights for your ATS. You are using 10,000k and Actinic 50/50 PC bulbs, which is the completely incorrect spectrum for green/red turf growth.

Cyano is ugly if it gets in your DT of course. An ATS screen growing GHA WILL eliminate cyano, eventually. Actually, if your tank is overrun with GHA and other nuisance algae, SantaMonica has stated that there is a possibility that cyano will appear after N and P drop to zero and all other algae disappears, but that the ATS will eventualy out-compete the cyano and it will go away. I have yet to hear someone complain about getting cyano after running an ATS though.

I don't think I've ever seen anyone intending to grow cyano on an ATS screen, your system appears to have good water parameters, however there is so little we can tell from the small fraction of parameters we test in the marine aquarium.

I think you mentioned that you intend to switch out the screen and lights eventually, but you might want to do that sooner, because I don't think you really want cyano growing on you ATS screen.

 

[BluScrnOdeth]

Oh i know you werent asking me, i was just saying that I'm sure its not coralline, but wasnt sure if it was the same as Cyno because ti didnt seem like it had the same properties as Cyno that i have (a year or so ago) on the bottom of my tank before I used an ATS. I do plan on replacing the lights tonight if i have time after I get my homework done (priorities...). It is a dark red, some slightly brown, and green seems to be doubling daily. So replacing my CFL's with the PC's was not such a great idea... shucks. I was hoping it would be ok till next weekend when i had more time. I'll have to hurry tonight.

 

[Floyd R Turbo]

It's probably a mixture of several types of algae, but the cyano is likely what is giving it a slimy feel and reddish color.

 

[srusso]

It wouldn't be the first time someone had to make a change quickly to their tank... I have had to a couple times on my tank as well. Even when I wasn't rushed, I never seem to sleep well at night for fear that I didn't fasten something tight enough or forgot to switch something on or off... But I agree you should get the lighting switch out tonight. Who cares about homework... Lol jk

 

[BluScrnOdeth]

I'd have to agree. It was strandy which threw me off of thinking thats what it was, but i think the current of course plaid a factor in that. So that will be hopefully getting taken care of tonight.

 

[BluScrnOdeth]

Who cares about homework... Lol jk

Lol, right ya know. If only it did it itself, school and my hobby would get along better... lol

 

[LPS_Blasto]

I'm spraying a 7 x 7 screen with a ViaAqua1800 (480gph) and lighting both sides with 23w curly-q bulbs. 29g tank.

 

[BluScrnOdeth]

ok, well got the scrubber scrubbed and new lights up. I took one of them down so you could see the screen better.

<img src="http://www.aquatic-refuge.com/RandomPics/ats1.jpg" width="600" height="450">

it was Cyno BTW. Ugh, didnt seem like it at first but then i found a bloom of it in my tank, took it out, compared, and yeah, same thing... Hopefully the better lighting will take care of things.

 

[srusso]

ok, well got the scrubber scrubbed and new lights up. I took one of them down so you could see the screen better.



it was Cyno BTW. Ugh, didnt seem like it at first but then i found a bloom of it in my tank, took it out, compared, and yeah, same thing... Hopefully the better lighting will take care of things.

Placement of the lights looks good. The last thing I would say you need is to get some plastic canvas that we spoke about before and your build will be complete. This screen you used will probably work in the very short term, but you will need something you can rough up at least in the next week or so. Good work, now go do your homework! Lol hahaha

 

[BluScrnOdeth]

you ever notice that under everyones tank, it looks like a train wreck. And i thought that mine looked pretty clean until i saw the picture i took.... must at 10lbs as they say. I was thinking about seeing how well this screen does. I have used it for a year and never got over 1" thick algae, and it held to the screen. But i was using 5k light back then and now im using 2700. I'll keep an eye on it to see if the longer algae breaks away from the screen and if so then ill make the 1.5hr trip to Hobby Lobby. I was going to go there next weekend but plans changed (wifes birthday plans changed)...

 

[srusso]

Totally know what your talking about with the sump pictures. In person my sump looks a little messy. But in that picture I put on the first page... Wow! Makes me look like I don't care for the tank at all!! As so for the screen try what you have but suspect it to be the problem if you ever have an issue.

 

[SSpiro]