Algae Scrubber vs Algae Reactor
- Thread starter OhMatic
- Start date
maxxII
Super Housemonkey!
I've never used an algae scrubber.
But my ARID E18 reduced my PO4 levels from 0.08 to 0.00 in 11 days.
ARID E18 Phosphate Control.
I'm not disparaging algae scrubbers at all. I've just never used one.
I think a better question is which method is easier to use and maintain over the long haul.
Whichever one of those methods works best for you is the one you should use.
But my ARID E18 reduced my PO4 levels from 0.08 to 0.00 in 11 days.
ARID E18 Phosphate Control.
I'm not disparaging algae scrubbers at all. I've just never used one.
I think a better question is which method is easier to use and maintain over the long haul.
Whichever one of those methods works best for you is the one you should use.
MaccaPopEye
New member
Just opened that thread to look at the pictures and that thing looks massive! I'll actually have a read now.
My ATS has only been up for 3 weeks now and I will already swear by them and recommend them.
I have a pretty bad nutrient problem so my algae growth has really taken off. And I have seen a very significant decrease in algae in just the last 3 weeks.
I did a lot of reading about scrubbers before I decided to build one and basically it's just like growing macro algae in a fuge, except the macro is on steroids. Kind of comparable to the algae reactor posted above, but IMO still just a bit more effective.
Read the guide on how to size, light and get the correct flow for a scrubber which is found in the algae turf scrubber basics thread. Then you can correctly size an ATS for your system so it can really kick ***.
Just a note: you don't need to have an ATS in a box for it to work well, I just prefer to keep the light contained as my stand is currently open.
Building the DIY box
Finished box over the sump
Screen after 5 days (first cleaning)
Screen after 14 days (second cleaning)
An example of some of my rocks from 4 weeks ago (left) and this week (right). A lot of snails were added 2 months ago but until the ATS was added the algae would grow faster than the snails could eat it. I was pulling out 2 cups of algae and it would be back in less than a week, even with the snails. Now the snails can eat the algae and it doesn't grow back thanks to the ATS.
wildman926
Active member
Use both, and you can't go wrong...
BCool
Just curious, Why do you think the ATS would be able to adjust growth quicker? Does Chaeto grow slower?
Not sure I really see why that would be?
I would think that the two would be equivalent export mechanisms. What's a more interesting question to me is whether growing chaeto in a dedicated reactor is superior to growing it in a refugium. I run both an ATS and chaeto in large refugium (nominally 40 gallons), and am planning to experiment with a DIY chaeto reactor as well.
I would think that the two would be equivalent export mechanisms. What's a more interesting question to me is whether growing chaeto in a dedicated reactor is superior to growing it in a refugium. I run both an ATS and chaeto in large refugium (nominally 40 gallons), and am planning to experiment with a DIY chaeto reactor as well.
ArmanS
Active member
I'm going to be running a L4 Turbo Scrubber and a Pax Bellum 24 Arid Reactor. If I had to choose one I would probably go with the ATS simply because its much cheaper, you can DIY fairly easily.
If I were you I would DIY a scrubber and see how its working. I see more and more people who used to have Chaeto tumbling in their sump / refugium and switched it to ATS with great success.
Having said that, from the people who I've talked with who have used the Arid reactor, they have been extremely impressed.
If I were you I would DIY a scrubber and see how its working. I see more and more people who used to have Chaeto tumbling in their sump / refugium and switched it to ATS with great success.
Having said that, from the people who I've talked with who have used the Arid reactor, they have been extremely impressed.
ArmanS
I have been running a L4 Turbo/HF ATS for over a year and it is not enough.... I simply don't have sump space for in-sump Chaeto growth. I have an Algae reactor on order.
I am setting up an additional tank and haven't decided ATS vs Reactor or both...
Are you currently running a L4? I personally think recommendations for ATSs are over rated. Why aren't you going to use a L8 with the ARID 24?
wildman926
I assume both would be better than either one, but I don't have the space for the new tank I'm setting up....
Light disperses from a source quite rapidly, which I think would give the ARID the potential to be more energy efficient, though that is only one factor among many to be considered. I suspect that maintenance may be more challenging than a refugium.
As I noted above, I've built a large chaeto reactor and will be hooking it up at some point in the next few weeks, so will find out for myself. I don't find much hair algae growth amongst the chaeto in my refugium, though I do have some cyano growth. I think the key to an algae reactor is the ability to get your arm into it to clean the sides.
outy
New member
Its a question of wattage used, ATS wins hands down.
You can grow chaeto under a powerful light in clean water, but you can grow GHA with low wattage in clean water.
Chaeto for me under 30w of light grows like crazy for 6 weeks until the water is cleaned up then dies off.
As to where I can always harvest my ATS under 30w lights.
Now if you water is not the cleanest because you feed like crazy, you can grow or use both methods with success.
ca1ore
your stated "as I noted above, I've built a large Chaeto..." Sorry I must have missed the above statement.... I understood you were planning to experiment with a DIY... How big is the reactor you have built? what is the design like? Is it center or outer light design? I am considering a DIY algae reactor...
Also you said "I think the key to an algae reactor is the ability to get your arm into it to clean the sides." I assume the ARID and ClearTides Algae Reactors use a light in the center design so that you only need to clean the center tube holding the lights. Which would be much easier(smaller area) to clean than the inside walls of a reactor tube.
your stated "as I noted above, I've built a large Chaeto..." Sorry I must have missed the above statement.... I understood you were planning to experiment with a DIY... How big is the reactor you have built? what is the design like? Is it center or outer light design? I am considering a DIY algae reactor...
Also you said "I think the key to an algae reactor is the ability to get your arm into it to clean the sides." I assume the ARID and ClearTides Algae Reactors use a light in the center design so that you only need to clean the center tube holding the lights. Which would be much easier(smaller area) to clean than the inside walls of a reactor tube.
Last edited:
wildman926
Active member
wildman926
That looks like pretty good growth. How often do you take that much out?
If I had an extra reactor I would probably do a design similar to yours, but I don't and my tank is in a room with no AC. This morning at 10:00am my tank was 82.5 degrees and although I don't think higher temps hurt too much(the waters my fish come from frequently runs 85) I don't want to add a source of heat either
That looks like pretty good growth. How often do you take that much out?
If I had an extra reactor I would probably do a design similar to yours, but I don't and my tank is in a room with no AC. This morning at 10:00am my tank was 82.5 degrees and although I don't think higher temps hurt too much(the waters my fish come from frequently runs 85) I don't want to add a source of heat either
Here is the one I have built; not yet in service though.
No idea how well it will work, or how maintenance intensive it will be. 20W strip light wrapped around the outside of an old skimmer body (6" diameter; 24" tall) with aluminum tape to act as light block and heat sink.
Ca1ore
Your DIY algae reactor looks nice! How thick are your top and bottom pieces?
I was thinking of making the same thing size wise 6" X 24". I'm still debating putting lights on the inside vs outside. My feeling is the inside lights would require less cleaning/scrubbing area wise and less time to clean...
Your DIY algae reactor looks nice! How thick are your top and bottom pieces?
I was thinking of making the same thing size wise 6" X 24". I'm still debating putting lights on the inside vs outside. My feeling is the inside lights would require less cleaning/scrubbing area wise and less time to clean...
Similar threads
