Chaeto vs. Algae Scrubber

[black hills tj]

I have a spot in my sump that I can either setup for Chaeto or an Algae scrubber. Which do you prefer, and why? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?

Thanks,

Mike

PS-Merry Christmas!

 

[fazilosman]

Technically, chaeto is a type of scrubber. I would prefer chaeto and/or refugium because of the other life that will take up residence here. My fuge has pods, bristleworms, tiny snails, tiny stars etc. My fuge was built with Miracle Mud, rubble rock and chaeto. I feel that this life is highly beneficial to the system overall.

 

[goettner]

Well here is the other side of it.I hade a fuge with cheto which did not grow at all because I had 0 phosphat I guess.My hair algea in the tank though florished to no end.I decided to change my fuge to an algea scrubber 2 month ago.4 weeks into the program I started toothbrushing the algea of the rocks and also turned the gravel.Guess what my algea did not come back.I am now starting to put some phosphat back in to promote growth and color of my SPS.Its a constant struggle so far since I still consider myself a newby.

180 gallon since April this year

 

[jwoyshnar]

Algae scrubber is a much better phosphate removal device.

 

[Terrance]

Algae scrubber is a much better phosphate removal device.

Agreed. It makes phosphates and nitrAtes undetectable.

There has actually be no studies (none that I know of) that show the effectiveness of ATS compared to macroalgae under the same light (6:1 deep red to royal blue light). People most often do you optimize the effectiveness of the macroalgae since most use cheap lighting.

I would pick the macroalgae for the same reason - culturing pods for the whole tank. Use the same lighting with a dimmer for the macroalgae and it will PROBABLY grow very well.

Also the traditional waterfall ATS lose a lot of heat, which did not appeal to me since my house is always cold. Upward algae scrubbers seem promising, but I have not see enough of it yet.

 

[black hills tj]

Thanks for the advice guys. I have a "chamber" in my sump that I'm going to modify to use for either a rolling ball of chaeto or an algae turf scrubber. Its about 10x8x8.