does an ATS replace a fuge with DSB?

[SPotter]

i saw something that looks like a flashlight on their site...its green and black. is that what you are talking about?

 

[srusso]

They come in a package singly. They were $40 each. I don't have them right now. At work now. But they are Cree 2watt LEDS 6 LED lights on each light. It looks sort of like a outdoor floodlight. Mine was near the lightbulb area. Maybe go to Costco.com or something and they will have it there. Hope this helps. You have to position them a little further than your other lights to get coverage, but that seems the usualy case for LEDs.

Please post as much info on these you can. Thanks

 

[Psyops]

Ok guys I have the package right in front of me now. The brand name is Feit Electric. It is a PAR38 Flood light. 885 lumens. It actually has 7 Cree LEDs. It says it puts out 18 Watts. It's 3000K. perfect for fuge of ATS purposes. I have been using four of them on my ATS for about 3 weeks now and it works just as good or maybe slightly better then the old CFLs. Good luck guys.

 

[SPotter]

i just googled it and now know what you are talking about. my local costco has them in stock right now.

 

[Thatgrimguy]

Wow, there are a lot of LED options in the right spectrum! That does make it much more convenient! Nice find. I'm thinking pretty seriously about adding an ATS and not running my skimmer. I'm actually thinking about coughing up the cash for the inland aquatics unit.

 

[SPotter]

Wow, there are a lot of LED options in the right spectrum! That does make it much more convenient! Nice find. I'm thinking pretty seriously about adding an ATS and not running my skimmer. I'm actually thinking about coughing up the cash for the inland aquatics unit.

I looked at those and couldnt believe how much they cost. I ordered acrylic cut to order for $65 and should have it tomorrow. My box is much smaller than theirs but I really cant see why it costs that much money. I have read a lot od DIY threads where people built them for under $50 using a bucket.

 

[Thatgrimguy]

I looked at those and couldnt believe how much they cost. I ordered acrylic cut to order for $65 and should have it tomorrow. My box is much smaller than theirs but I really cant see why it costs that much money. I have read a lot od DIY threads where people built them for under $50 using a bucket.

I suck at DIY is my problem... I really want a t5 acrylic 3d scrubber. But there is no way I could pull off making one myself. If I buy there's, at least I have someone to call if I have a problem. And I know it will be big enough for my system.

I really should at least try to diy a simple one and see what I come up with before I drop 1k on their unit.

 

[Psyops]

Wow, there are a lot of LED options in the right spectrum! That does make it much more convenient! Nice find. I'm thinking pretty seriously about adding an ATS and not running my skimmer. I'm actually thinking about coughing up the cash for the inland aquatics unit.

It has been a while since I did any research on the Inland Aquatics stuff, but their units used to be the old horizontal ones. They are not as effective as the vertical ones. Horizontal grows brown algae and the vertical ones grow more GHA. GHA grows faster and as a result absorbs more nitrates and phosphates. At least that's been my experience with the different positions. Look into other posts about building one.
In the past on ATS forums, people generally have not totally taken their skimmers out. Use it as a backup. You will, after a while, not see that much skimmer activity, but keep it as a backup. For me skimmer activity is a good way on judging how my ATS is working for that week.

 

[OodleyBoodely]

I suck at DIY is my problem... I really want a t5 acrylic 3d scrubber. But there is no way I could pull off making one myself. If I buy there's, at least I have someone to call if I have a problem. And I know it will be big enough for my system.

I really should at least try to diy a simple one and see what I come up with before I drop 1k on their unit.

You might look at the SantaMonica 100...just google it...they are pretty nice looking units...and less than 1K! :spin2:

 

[Psyops]

You might look at the SantaMonica 100...just google it...they are pretty nice looking units...and less than 1K! :spin2:

I totally agree. SantaMonica has helped me a lot on learning about ATS systems. Thanks for mentioning that.

 

[Thatgrimguy]

You might look at the SantaMonica 100...just google it...they are pretty nice looking units...and less than 1K! :spin2:

Not by much! $689... I wonder if they will customize one for a 200+ gallon set up... I may just set up a traditional fuge w/ macro...


That is a super nice looking system though, and I'm sure would make a great supplement filter with my current system.

 

[SPotter]

it really wouldnt take much to build one....my acrylic just arrived so I will start building mine tonight. A 10"x10" screen will cover 100 gallons so you wont need a lot of screen for a 200 gallon system.

 

[SPotter]

got my acrylic, built the box in about 20 mins, need to make some modifications to it and I think i need thinker nylon mesh. I will post pictures tomorrow.

 

[Thatgrimguy]

I talked to the company that makes the Santa Monica 100. He said the water volume of the tank doesn't really matter. It can handle 10 frozen cubes of food a day! I may get it and run it along side my skimmer! I love active tanks, but plan on going sps dominant and really want to run as low nutrient as possible.


Note: I have a 210 gallon display that finished cycle about 2 months ago. My AI sol Blue have been on back order and I still don't have them.

 

[Thatgrimguy]

got my acrylic, built the box in about 20 mins, need to make some modifications to it and I think i need thinker nylon mesh. I will post pictures tomorrow.

Did you buy the acrylic in sheets? Or the pre done box from santa monica?


Looking forward to the pics!

 

[SPotter]

ATS build updates....

ATS build updates....

This first build will be my practice scrubber because the company I ordered the acrylic from screwed up and sent me a white panel instead of black so they are replacing my entire order at not cost. So I went ahead and assembled my box last night.







I was able to fully complete it and get it running on my tank but wasnt able to take more pictures. Some observations that I have made already....

1.) cutting a 1/8" opening in a straight line on a piece of PVC that you are holding with your hand...nearly impossible.

2.) dont make the opening too big otherwise the water wont come out evenly

Changes I will make....
1.) I tried using nylon screening I had to build a screen top for my tank...too flexible and the squares are too big so I will be running out today to get a piece of nylon mesh

2.) I fastened two acrylic rods inside the box for the pvc to rest on but once water starts running thru the pvc its not as stable and will move around on you a little so I will be installing a bulkhead and attach the pvc to the bulkhead for improved stability.

I looked at it this morning before heading to work and I noticed small spots of algae starting to form already.

Stay tuned for more pictures tonight.

 

[Robert Patterso]

I built a diy ats for about $20. Built a steel frame, powder coated it. Used 1/2" pvc and machined a 1/8" slot almost the entire length. Capped one end and put a 90 on the other. It sits in a cradle on the frame. Bought 4 clip on light fixtures and modified them so they clamp on the frame. I use the cfb's. The pump is an Ehiem 1250. It's 14wx11l. Absolutely the best and cheapest addition to my tank I have done. P04-0 and n03-0.
I plan to build a larger one in the future

 

[SPotter]

Well i am finally done with the 2nd version.....i definitely soent more than $20 since i decided to try using leds.

I still have to cut the pipe and hook it up to my system but heres what i have so far.

Steve

 

[nightOwl]

Coming along nicely Steve. Was this a stressful project? I noticed the glass on the table...rum and coke maybe....LOL. Looking forward to seeing it installed!

 

[nmcgrawj]

Ok guys I have the package right in front of me now. The brand name is Feit Electric. It is a PAR38 Flood light. 885 lumens. It actually has 7 Cree LEDs. It says it puts out 18 Watts. It's 3000K. perfect for fuge of ATS purposes. I have been using four of them on my ATS for about 3 weeks now and it works just as good or maybe slightly better then the old CFLs. Good luck guys.

Why pay that much per bulb?

Will LEDs never get "weak"? (like replacing cfl's every 3 months)


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