DIY- Algae Turf Scrubber (ATS)

[79chopperdr]

About 6-8 Months ago I built a ATS for my tank. I copied the hang on glass design from one of the well known manufactures. I sized it to be comparable to the 3-4 cube per day model.

I built an acrylic box that houses the plastic knitting material and a airstone. The box is held against my sump with magnets. I also assembled a DIY LED light with all red LEDs, i think i used 7. The light sits on a high tech wood block and faces the sump, shining on the knitting material.

The air stone runs all the time, and the LEDs are on at night for about 9 hours. I clean it weekly and it produces 1 to 2 cups of bright green algae a week.

Nuisance macro algae is almost non detectable in my display and frag tank. It has also allows me to keep alot of fish and feed heavily.

The thing that surprised me the most is how much of a load it took off my skimmer. I still run it, I set it to skim relatively dry. I just cleaned the cup the other day after a month of running

I will take some pictures and add them. I don't know what the numbers are for NO3/4, I only test salinity at water changes and alk occasionally.

 

[TOM BLEVINS]

Hi Jeff,

Thanks for the details ,It sounds like a nice addition to your system, I have
not seen Jeffs tank in a long time but my last visit it looked great!

Regards
Tom

 

[imjedi76]

Are there instructions on how to build one? How much did it cost total for all materials?

 

[TigeBell]

Thanks Jeff, looking forward to pictures. It would also be interesting to see what your nitrate and phosphate numbers are. I am sure they are low but wondering. At this time, I am having nitrate issues that are becoming under control via bio-pellets but it's taking it's sweet time. I took my GFO reactor offline since I was ready 0 phosphates and from what I understand, I might have to be dosing phosphates for the bio-pellets to work properly or until the nitrates are low enough.

In your experience or do you know, if having some Phosphates is required to keep the algae growing in the ATS? What about nitrates? I know, I know.... tons of questions already.

I am looking around for other options if the bio-pellet thing doesn't work or doesn't allow the nitrates to get lower. I am currently between 10-20 ppm but still want them lower to around 5 since I am running a coral reef and not a FOWLR system.

Thanks in advance

 

[79chopperdr]

@ Tom, thanks very much. I guess you are overdue for a visit. :beer:

@imjedi, it's pretty simple, you'll see. I used acrylic and magnets I had laying around. I probably over did it on the light, but I have $40-50 into it.

@David I'm not sure about the too low phosphate question. I use a Hanna checker, I've tested when I'm really happy how my tank looks and the readings are in the .15-.19 range which goes against what we are told. If the tank looks good who cares what the numbers are? I consider Brandon to be the local ATS expert, I just copied what I saw, and I'm happy with the results.

 

[79chopperdr]

Here's the light and the stand that it sits on.

Here's the box, there are holes in the bottom for water flow, the air stone and a tab that the magnet holds onto. I used a piece of egg crate to space up the air stone so it wasn't sitting on the holes.

About 4 days

Up and running

Overall super fancy and sophisticated!:wildone:

 

[silentscream]

Are those all 660nm red LED or did you throw in a royal blue? I ran a DIY ATS for several months with great results, nice to see another local scubber supporter.

 

[Borchers]

That's pretty amazing. I've wanted to add a ATS for sometime. Maybe this might be the time. Jeff your system has always looked great. Thanks for your secret

 

[79chopperdr]

Thanks Shawn.

All red LEDs, no blues

 

[HV1990]

Wow those are some feminine hands!

 

[bfliflet]

Hugo, thanks for leaking Jeff's ATS secret at the swap. On one hand seeing his tank, I am glad it proves ATS don't inhibit coral growth -- rumored when I researched my setup. On the other hand, it takes away my "excuse" for a mediocre tank...

 

[CLeadfootS]

Wow those are some feminine hands!

Hugo loves his women hairy.

 

[79chopperdr]

Hugo loves his women hairy.

He has full size finger envy. It's sad..:facepalm:

 

[Saltwaternooby]

Hugo loves his women hairy.

I was going to say something very similar the other day. Lol

He has full size finger envy. It's sad..:facepalm:

He has to use a strap wrench to open jars!!

 

[Saltwaternooby]

What are the dimensions and what airstone(s) are you using?

 

[79chopperdr]

The screen is about 6x8" and I'm just using the little 3" bar shaped air stone from petco.

 

[HV1990]

He has full size finger envy. It's sad..:facepalm:

HAHAHAHHA well played.

 

[bfliflet]

As I started researching again into why I chose waterfall over UAS, I remember that UAS are generally not as successful on larger aquariums - evidence largely anecdotal. Having said that, I have switched over one of my 4x14" dual sided waterfall chambers to an 8 x 20" single sided UAS. A second one will follow to replace the other chamber once the first establishes. If you're considering UAS, I recall that the recommendation is larger bubbles than finer ones -- mainly for surface agitation. Typical complaint with UAS is micro bubbles in the tank. Plan accordingly if you're considering this route...

Snausages, Hugo?