ATS built and online

[bambam918]

Constructed this today and exciting to see if this works. Never used one before so this is a learning experience. I may have to move the lights closer, currently at 8 inches from the screen. Also I do not know what the flow should be like. Currently it is set at a steady pace. I know I will have to purchase a new return pump as my mag5 is now extremely under rated lol the photo does not show it but these two par38 LED 3k lights are very bright. I'll update every week, Thursday for the next few months.

<a href="http://s1266.photobucket.com/user/akita451/media/E12A2873-7985-40DE-A6A6-BF9000BA6E09.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj521/akita451/E12A2873-7985-40DE-A6A6-BF9000BA6E09.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo E12A2873-7985-40DE-A6A6-BF9000BA6E09.jpg"/></a>

 

[rioshilo]

Cool. More pictures?

 

[bambam918]

I used 3/4 PVC and 5/8 funny line. I incorporated a union to make cleaning the screen easier. I used a dremel to cut the slit and a saw to tough up the screen. The screen was snug in the slit however, to make sure it didn't fall I cut a cupler into a small ring, slid it through the screen then turned the cupler up so the screen could not fall off. One of the photos shows this

Ball valve and union
<a href="http://s1266.photobucket.com/user/akita451/media/0EBB2093-3323-43BD-96A8-73C89C33746B.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj521/akita451/0EBB2093-3323-43BD-96A8-73C89C33746B.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 0EBB2093-3323-43BD-96A8-73C89C33746B.jpg"/></a>

Other view of union
<a href="http://s1266.photobucket.com/user/akita451/media/6E955694-9AB4-4B65-9221-CA84F0A542B9.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj521/akita451/6E955694-9AB4-4B65-9221-CA84F0A542B9.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 6E955694-9AB4-4B65-9221-CA84F0A542B9.jpg"/></a>

Tee from return pump
<a href="http://s1266.photobucket.com/user/akita451/media/23DA8CF1-F8F7-4BA9-8E21-9DA2F4183FE5.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj521/akita451/23DA8CF1-F8F7-4BA9-8E21-9DA2F4183FE5.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 23DA8CF1-F8F7-4BA9-8E21-9DA2F4183FE5.jpg"/></a>

DIY cupler ring
<a href="http://s1266.photobucket.com/user/akita451/media/19C3BF9A-B60A-42B7-8727-F6D9725445F6.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj521/akita451/19C3BF9A-B60A-42B7-8727-F6D9725445F6.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 19C3BF9A-B60A-42B7-8727-F6D9725445F6.jpg"/></a>

 

[Sammykonga]

Looks great and it was fun to help build! Hopefully this works well for you!

 

[rioshilo]

Nice. I see what you mean about the coupler ring holding it in. Seems like it would make for easy screen removal. Is there one on both ends?

Is the flow even across the screen? What kind of flow are you looking for over the screen? Seems like the mag5 would be enough as most are just looking for a trickle (but, I have no experience, as I've never used one before, just thinking about it). Have you thought about lighting both sides?

 

[bambam918]

Yes there is a couple on each side and the idea was to make for easy removal. The flow is pretty even across the screen. There are two dead spots and I am not sure how to correct it. Thinking when stuff starts to grow it will even up??? The mag5 is supplying my ATS and acting as my return. I will upgrade to a DC pump soon. As for flow across the screen. It is a fast trickle. I don't know if I need to slow it down. It is all learning for me and ATS. Both sides are light. I may add two more par38's for a total of 4. We will see if the two works first.

I will continuer to give updates on the ATS

 

[dotcommer]

I have the Santa Monica 100 Turf Scrubber and they recommend a pump with around 900 GPH.

 

[bambam918]

Dotcommer do yiu have that pump all the way on or are you controlling the flow with a ball valve? That seems like a ton of flow

 

[CSample]

Nice!

Did you put hose clamps at the t fitting?

 

[bambam918]

I didn't have any plastic clamps but I will add them

 

[bambam918]

This is 7 days after. Not horrible

<a href="http://s1266.photobucket.com/user/akita451/media/16C6D3E9-69FC-47D4-8C4E-E8F2BF42F987.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj521/akita451/16C6D3E9-69FC-47D4-8C4E-E8F2BF42F987.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 16C6D3E9-69FC-47D4-8C4E-E8F2BF42F987.jpg"/></a>

 

[m-six hundred]

Is it loud?

 

[bambam918]

Very quite

 

[sean2sean]

any updates?

 

[bambam918]

I was not getting the results I wanted and a little more research and asking some questions to people who pioneered ATS, showed that my flow was not enough, lighting was not efficient and too far away. I took it down until I can correct these issues

 

[Elliott]

where did you buy the screen?

 

[reelredfish]

So I don't completely understand the setup. Does this hang above your sump and the water then runs back into the sump after it runs across the screen?

Is the concept that if you cause the algae to grow here it one uses up nutrients and two will not grow in your display as a result of one?

 

[Elliott]

So I don't completely understand the setup. Does this hang above your sump and the water then runs back into the sump after it runs across the screen?

Is the concept that if you cause the algae to grow here it one uses up nutrients and two will not grow in your display as a result of one?

yes, tank water is pumped from sump over the screen and back to the sump, the screen is lit causing algae to grow and consume nitrates and phosphates, which is periodically harvested from the screen, making them less available for nuisance algae in the display

 

[bambam918]

Sorry for the delay but that is exactly what it is meant for. The screen can be purchased at hobby lobby for a few bucks. I took a saw blade and roughed it up, you do this so the algae has something to latch onto and grow.

 

[Elliott]

Sorry for the delay but that is exactly what it is meant for. The screen can be purchased at hobby lobby for a few bucks. I took a saw blade and roughed it up, you do this so the algae has something to latch onto and grow.

do you know what they call it at hobby lobby? I can't find it on their website