algae turf scrubber

[carnavor]

[violation]

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

The ones you linked to take up much more space than a skimmer, and either need to be DIYed or would cost about the same as a skimmer. The spill bucket is not a simple thing to get working.

 

[kysard1]

Good question.

Now that we have Oceans/Motions there is no need for a dump bucket.

An ATS removes Phosphate and Nitrate. A protein skimmer doesn't remove either.

An ATS can remove NO3 and PO4 much quicker than a macro-algae refuge.

The only reason that the ATS isn't at the forefront now is because Sprung black-listed the technique and its inventor 15 years ago in FAMA.

Non-destructive pumps are also available now (Tunze & Vortech.)

 

[GTR]

In Delbeek and Sprung (1994) we expressed that in our opinion:
Although algal turf scrubbers work quite well for mangrove and estuarine microcosms, producing model ecosystems that really look exactly like the natural environment, the results in the coral reef microcosms we have seen that rely exclusively on this type of filtration with little or no water change are less spectacular. This opinion, which we are revising with this book, was based on our personal observations at the time of several algal turf filtered public aquarium exhibits. As we explained in 1994: The stoney corals did not appear to grow much, and in some instances we saw what we believed was unacceptable mortality. We have since seen a number of successful systems employing algal turf scrubbing in operation over a long period, and have spoken with quite a few marine scientists, coral reef biologists, and aquarium hobbyists who have used them, maintained them, or observed them. It is clear that algal turf filtration can be utilized successfully for growing corals, contrary to our earlier opinion, provided certain operational conditions are met, as we shall detail shortly.

Extracted from:
The Reef Aquarium. Science, Art, and Technology
Delbeek and Sprung, pp. 371-385, 2005

SteveU