Algae Scrubber opinions

[dodgerblew]

I am contemplating adding a algae turf scrubber to my system. My sump isn't large and has no area for a fuge. I thought about upgrading the sump to the upcoming Elite Aquatics cube sump but price tag is over four bills and not even sure if I could get it in the stand as fit would be very tight and would need to be put in sideways and then turned. I also thought about going a cheap route with getting a small colander and anchoring it in the sump and adding a clip on light. Issue only is that it would fit in back chamber only so a little inconvenient but doable.I have been looking at the Santa Monica filtration hang on glass turf scrubber. It's low profile, will fit in front compartment on front pane. It will run about two bills with purchasing a new air pump which it requires. So thought I would get opinions here of people who are using one or have used one in the past. I want positives and negatives. Thanks

 

[moe458]

I haven't used one but i was looking at this video it may help a DIY setup.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGLnBvDkaO0

 

[dodgerblew]

Thanks for the info but if I go this route it won't be DIY

 

[ReefPharmer]

I have a sm turf hog .5. I have to tell you that it is no better than using an led Home Depot daylight and growing a little ball of chaeto . I know you'd aid that you don't have any room for a normal sized fuge but I'm sure you can fit a 4x4 chaeto ball which is essentially what this will be. It creates a bunch of bubbling noise and the magnets on the in tank part of the contraption weren't properly sealed and guess what happened... Rusted to hell.
Overall I did grow some algae in it but w the extra noise and the rust I would not do it again. Just my opinion, so take it as such

 

[discotu]

i threw some chaeto in my overflow box. it so happens that the plumbing holds the clump on top and it bunches right up to the edges so the overflow water flows through it. I'll rotate/prune it every few weeks so it doesn't get too close to the drain (maggie muffler) and my T5 fixture provides plenty of light. It's prob not the most efficient algae scrubber but it's "free" and required little to no work.

 

[dodgerblew]

I have a sm turf hog .5. I have to tell you that it is no better than using an led Home Depot daylight and growing a little ball of chaeto . I know you'd aid that you don't have any room for a normal sized fuge but I'm sure you can fit a 4x4 chaeto ball which is essentially what this will be. It creates a bunch of bubbling noise and the magnets on the in tank part of the contraption weren't properly sealed and guess what happened... Rusted to hell.
Overall I did grow some algae in it but w the extra noise and the rust I would not do it again. Just my opinion, so take it as such

The only way I would be able to do cheato would be to find a small plastic colander to fit in back sump compartment. Normal size is to big. I tried it.

i threw some chaeto in my overflow box. it so happens that the plumbing holds the clump on top and it bunches right up to the edges so the overflow water flows through it. I'll rotate/prune it every few weeks so it doesn't get too close to the drain (maggie muffler) and my T5 fixture provides plenty of light. It's prob not the most efficient algae scrubber but it's "free" and required little to no work.

That sounds good but I don't have an external overflow.

 

[discotu]

That sounds good but I don't have an external overflow.

once upon a time...
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1295843

 

[xssx]

In my opinion the old waterfall style is more effective than the new one, also with the new style you have to clean the screen and the glass between the two trays

 

[pandimus]

Why can't you let chaeto float in the back chamber with a clip on light?

 

[Mrlttran]

I have an ATS and it really has not helped my nitrates but I can say I have no nuisance algae and dont have to clean my glass nearly enough. I can post some pics of my setup if needed as it was DIY waterfall style. I have had it up and running for about two months now.

 

[dodgerblew]

once upon a time...
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1295843

brian, do you still have this? I'm not sure about room in the sump

Why can't you let chaeto float in the back chamber with a clip on light?

I don't know, I guess I could. Isn't there the possibility of cheato spilling over baffle into return section?

I have an ATS and it really has not helped my nitrates but I can say I have no nuisance algae and dont have to clean my glass nearly enough. I can post some pics of my setup if needed as it was DIY waterfall style. I have had it up and running for about two months now.

By waterfall, would I be hearing the sound of water spilling

 

[pandimus]

Yeah there is, but even on the slightest chance it does, it won't hurt anything.

 

[Mrlttran]

you may slightly depending on the flow rate. With me, my sump is in the garage so I never think twice about noise. Thank goodness...

 

[jhnnle]

It was fun to make the scrubber, but a chore to maintain. Eventually, I took took it down

 

[cali_reef]

Rik, I have a Santa Monica scrubber I pick up with a tank, never used it (the tank too) and knows nothing about how it works. Let me know if you want to give it a go before you spend money on one. PM me your cell # and I'll text you some pics tomorrow.

 

[dodgerblew]

I texted you my number.

 

[discotu]

i don't have that particular setup anymore but you can use any reactor. also, because you're not tumbling any media, you can lay the reactor down or in any orientation for that matter...and it's only as loud as the pump that's driving it.