Algae Scrubber vs Algae Reactor

[OhMatic]

Well after two weeks of the Algae Scrubber and the Algae Reactor going head to head I'm thoroughly convinced the Algae Scrubber is more effective. I've cleaned out the ATS three times and the reactor zero.the reactor is showing slow signs of growth compared to the ATS.

 

[roosterchef]

Do you have them plumbed so they each have equal crack at the "dirty" water from the tank, or is one in line after the other? Did you ever figure out what the yellow stuff was that you thought killed the chaeto in your reactor?

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[AZRippster]

My experience with an ATS:

I have a 450G mixed reef that my Apex AFS feeds twice daily Spectrum small and medium pellets (2nd click - single rotation) and then twice daily I feed 3-cubes of enriched brine and mysis (2-to-1 alternating).

12:00 - Spectrum
14:30 - Spectrum
17:00 - Brine/Mysis
20:00 - Brine/Mysis

I've been running an ATS since August '15.

Yesterday I ran my monthly tests and the primary two of interest resulted in:

Nitrate: .2 PPM (Salifert)
Phosphate: Undetectable (Hanna)

I also broadcast feed a couple of times a week Seachem Reef Plus or TLF AcroPower mixed with Pappone and either frozen cyclopeze or plankton. Sometimes I also mix in a little Reef Roids.

It's been this way since late last year. I wouldn't even think of running a reef tank without an ATS now. I clean it about 1 1/2 - 2 weeks.

 

[OhMatic]

Roosterchef, I never figured out what the yellow stuff was, didn't really try though.
Yes the ATS and AR each get fed tank overflow from the same source that is split going to each.
The AR seams to have some issues, I'm not really impressed with it at all. I just haven't had time to put a DIY AR together yet.

 

[kdirk]

The only true proof of what grows faster between gha and Chaeto is what grows in your tank when you get excessive nutrients. I've never seen a tank with the rocks over grown with chaeto.

 

[OhMatic]

kdirk
True, neither have I.
I'm not sure a GHA reactor would work... I guess I could be tried.

 

[kdirk]

I think the waterfall ats is a great design. If trying to do it in a reactor you would need to run air into it, maybe a air stone in the bottom, but then your looking at another pump running. The reactor would have to have something for the gha to hold on to or it would plug up your return line. I don't see how these problems could be overcome. To my point I was looking at what algae is more efficient. I think for saltwater people the size of your sump becomes a problem when you run out of room. My new build has a 180 with a 40 breeder most people say its too small but I have plenty of room for my ats.

 

[OhMatic]

I don't think a reactor needs an air stone/supply to grow GHA. There would be lots of ways to put things in a reactor for the GHA to hold on to.
I guess I need to know which would be the last algae standing: gha, cheato, or turf/ATS algae. To figure out what would be the best algae for a reactor.

 

[kdirk]

I would have to say the first one to start growing when you have problems in your tank is going to be the last one to leave so I obviously have to say green hair algae

 

[OhMatic]

That sounds like good logic... but I feed my tangs algae from my ATS everytime I clean it and they gobble it up. I've tried to get it to grow in the DT but it gets eaten. They also eat cheato but GHA is not on anyone's menu...

 

[Devaji108]

well I am a BIG fan of ATS but must admit I have never had a chance to run one on a tank.

so I build an DIY upflw ATS based of of SM hogs, been running 2 weeks not any growth in it but ere is GHA in the DT tank is going through new tank syndrome.
I did alot of research when building it and not sure why its not doing anything. i do think with some tweaking it would perform great. might be user error.


so my thoughts are to grow a macro algae fuge. not that ATS will not work but just that fact I need a grow out place for my 20L macro tank. I thought about the TLF reactor as well.

 

[Fredfish]

I don't think a reactor needs an air stone/supply to grow GHA. There would be lots of ways to put things in a reactor for the GHA to hold on to.
I guess I need to know which would be the last algae standing: gha, cheato, or turf/ATS algae. To figure out what would be the best algae for a reactor.

Which is the last standing depends entirely on the conditions in your tank. Different types of algae have different growing conditions.

When I kept seahorses, I had a lot of macro algae in the main tank. As long is I maintained nitrates at around 5ppm and phosphates at .02 to .04ppm, the macros outcompeted all other algae including cyano. I did this by dosing calcium nitrate several times a week.

Once nitrates dropped down below 3ppm the other algae started to grow again.

Also, turf algae, which Addey determined had the greatest growth under ideal conditions, needs a lot of flow and needs direct contact with air for maximum growth. Unless you provide for its needs (ATS) it will do poorly.

 

[OhMatic]

devaji108
I have never tried a SM type ATS... but I think I do remember my ATS taking several weeks to get running. I would suggest give it another week or two.
I saw now that one guy puts a coating of cement on his new plastic screens so the Algae will take and hold faster...

 

[azjohnny]

so I build an DIY upflw ATS based of of SM hogs, been running 2 weeks not any growth in it but ere is GHA in the DT tank is going through new tank syndrome.
I did alot of research when building it and not sure why its not doing anything. i do think with some tweaking it would perform great. might be user error.

Could you post some pics and give us some info on your ATS?

My first attempt at an ATS didn't go over that well

version 1.0- used 1/2" PVC, maxijet 1200 pump 13x10 plastic netting, netting roughed up using medium grit sand paper and 1 23watt LED PAR spotlight on each side of netting

version 2.0- using 1" PVC, Mag 5 pump, roughed up the netting more using a hole saw , and using 1 30 watt LED on each side of netting
link to lights now being used
https://www.amazon.com/GLW-Waterpro...d=1460137861&ref_=sr_1_5&s=lawn-garden&sr=1-5


Vesion 2.0 is working much better

 

[Devaji108]

sure don't want to high jack the tread from ATS vs reactors tho..I am a BIG fan of this type of filtering.

so the body is made out of food trays the type to get from the deli.
i broke up/crushed a head of coral i had around and used JB weld to create the surface for the turf to grow on.

<a href="http://s1103.photobucket.com/user/devaji108/media/20150623_181836.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g480/devaji108/20150623_181836.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20150623_181836.jpg"/></a>

for lighting I used 4 x 660 nm rapid LED reds driven my a meanweal driver @ 700ma no optics. 120 degree spread.

<a href="http://s1103.photobucket.com/user/devaji108/media/20150623_182031.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g480/devaji108/20150623_182031.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20150623_182031.jpg"/></a>

note all LEDs are the "heatsink"

for air flow I am using a fusion air pump ( the one SM usees on this hogs) on 24/7

my lighting was 15 on 8 off is was not on a set schedule as I was/am doing it manually.
but the last week its been running 24/7

in the tank shoot
<a href="http://s1103.photobucket.com/user/devaji108/media/20160524_212944.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g480/devaji108/20160524_212944.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20160524_212944.jpg"/></a>

trouble shooting ideas are:

to long or to short lighting cycle??

airflow not flowing up the surface of the "screen" correct

 

[Devaji108]

OK so I have not checked the ATS in a few days.
Here are some fresh pics looks like I am getting some growth in high flow areas on the air tube and the top of the unit.

Found this lil guy there too

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[Devaji108]

so I am thinking it's a air flow problem I am having...
nor 100% the air is flowing up the surface area or a lil in front of it?

well there is my update. if you guys have any thoughts let me know.

 

[OhMatic]

I would give it some more time. And get a cheap automatic timer which makes things a lot esier..
I think the hardest part is getting the first algae to start.....

 

[OhMatic]

I took my algae reactor off line. My Algae Scrubber is doing such a better job and the ClearTides Algae Reactor was such a pain to clean.
Maybe when I complete my DIY reactor I will try algae reactors again...

 

[OhMatic]

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:fun4: algae scrubber win