Inexpensive ATSs anyone can build

[laverda]

Anyone can build an algae turf scrubber for almost nothing. You need a inexpensive red & blue LED grow light and 1 - 3 sheets of plastic mesh depending on how big you want it to be. Total cost of less than $30. Hang the sheets in your overflow so the water flows over them. Or fold in a v and tuck it in the weir of your sump. Or float it just below the surface of your sump. Or hang it on the sides of your sump. Get creative! Anywhere you have water flow over or through the mesh, as long as you can light, it will grow algae.

In my experience you can quickly strip all the neturients out of your system once the algae starts growing if you light it 24/7. My corals were clearly not happy when I did so and my cheeto all but died. I adjust my light schedule to keep my nitrate and phosphates where I want them.

Photos coming shortly.

 

[laverda]

ATS in overflow.
.

ATS In weir. This one has been folded in a V since this photo was taken.

Horizontal ATS just below surface of sump.

Two weeks growth harvested from both in sump mesh screens.

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[journeyman]

I literally just did this, but with a bubble wand for more water movement over the screen.

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[laverda]

It is easy to incorporate an ATS into most AIO tanks. Here is how to incorporate an ATS in a JBJ nano cube you need a small peice of plastic needle point mesh available for less than $1 at craft stores. A small red and blue LED grow light avalable on amazon starting at $1. Remove a section of the black sticky plastic from the section of the back you want to put you ATS in. Rough up the mesh so the algae can atach better, Insert the mesh and light it from the back. I would make the ATS 3 sided. Place one peice of mesh vertical opposite the light a second piece I would form into a U or V shape on the sides of the champer. How long you light it will control your nutrient levels. I would light it 24/7 for the first 2 weeks. Once you get noticable growth reduce you light schedule to opposite the display lights. I hope this is clear. Let me know if you have any questions.
This will work in most all in one tanks. The ATS could also be lit from above if you prefer.

I find an easy way to control nutrients and algae in the display is by using an ATS. By making conditions ideal for algae growth in an ATS it will out compete the algae in your display letting you clean up crew and herbavous keep the tank clean. Harvesting the algae from the ATS removed the nutrients from your system. An ATS can be built for very little and is much less expensive than GFO. Dosing small amounts of iron can help the algae grows as you use the existing iron from your system. I woul love to hear your experience.

 

[reefteaser]

Interesting, as I had the same idea for my Nuvo 30L. I used the "œskimmer" compartments, lit from the back and mesh formed into a U shape. I just completed it last week and still waiting for the algae to get established, but it has started.
Great minds think alike!
I've had great results with a scrubber on my mixed 115 gal, but wanted to do something much cheaper and simple on this, my office tank. I'm hoping to keep a lot of SPS in it, we'll see.

 

[dmsprague]

It is easy to incorporate an ATS into most AIO tanks. Here is how to incorporate an ATS in a JBJ nano cube you need a small peice of plastic needle point mesh available for less than $1 at craft stores. A small red and blue LED grow light avalable on amazon starting at $1. Remove a section of the black sticky plastic from the section of the back you want to put you ATS in. Rough up the mesh so the algae can atach better, Insert the mesh and light it from the back. I would make the ATS 3 sided. Place one peice of mesh vertical opposite the light a second piece I would form into a U or V shape on the sides of the champer. How long you light it will control your nutrient levels. I would light it 24/7 for the first 2 weeks. Once you get noticable growth reduce you light schedule to opposite the display lights. I hope this is clear. Let me know if you have any questions.
This will work in most all in one tanks. The ATS could also be lit from above if you prefer.

SNIP.

Thanks for the idea. I have a JBJ 28 gallon and do battle algae quite a bit. I have the mesh already and just ordered a light so I'll post my results later when algae starts growing.

 

[Forgiven1973]

Anyone have a link to a light that they've had success with?

 

[laverda]

There are so many choices. Just search for LED grow lights. I use ones with just red and blue LEDs. I use 2 of these. One for my overflow ATS and one for my mangroves. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075JFPLY1/ref=psdc_14252941_t3_B076B1W99T

This one is nice because it can be configured in a square or rectangular depending on your needs. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B076B1W99T/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_2?smid=A3D0RI3DPRKVNK&psc=1

 

[reefteaser]

I used these on the back of my Nuvo 30L.
Good results from them on my first scrubber, working well on this one too.
https://www.expressions-ltd.com/products/led-grow-light-bar-algae-scrubber

 

[ReefWreak]

Thanks for the idea. I have a JBJ 28 gallon and do battle algae quite a bit. I have the mesh already and just ordered a light so I'll post my results later when algae starts growing.

What I think saved me in the beginning of running my 29g biocube was that I just shined a LED floodlight from eBay ($12) straight into the middle back chamber, from the back of the tank (through the glass), and just let algae grow on the sides of the chamber. It would have been better with a fancy screen, but it worked on the sides alone.

Then when I did water changes, I would stop the pump, scrape the walls of all of the algae, and siphon out the rear chambers of all of that algae. Killing two birds with one stone plus preventing any algae fro growing in the display. It made starting up a nano much easier.

 

[laverda]

The screen is far from fancy. $1.00 worth of screen would be all it takes for that application. The screen just is easy to remove and clean. You could argue weather algae grows better or not on the screen.

 

[laverda]

My algae scrubber is still working great. Now if I could just figure out how to make it self cleaning!

 

[reefing102]

Lol that’s good to hear! And hmm self cleaning you say….hmm let’s buy a room a and hijack that technology for it

 

[kharmaguru]

My algae scrubber is still working great. Now if I could just figure out how to make it self cleaning!

When you said that, it reminded me I saw this:

SeaVisions SAATS Combines Auto Roller and Algae Scrubber | Reef Builders | The Reef and Saltwater Aquarium Blog

 

[laverda]

That's cool! But for $1600 plus a light I will manage to clean mine myself. It really does not take very long. I am guessing about 15 minutes to ean all 3 mesh sheets. More just remembering to do it.

 

[kharmaguru]

That's cool! But for $1600 plus a light I will manage to clean mine myself. It really does not take very long. I am guessing about 15 minutes to ean all 3 mesh sheets. More just remembering to do it.

Is that what they want? Insane! I actually never read it, lol.

 

[laverda]

Is that what they want? Insane! I actually never read it, lol.

Yes. Mine cost just $3.00 plus a $25 light.

 

[deafasapost]

This may sound like a stupid question, but does the exposed mesh create that low tide smell? Asking as I just took down my 55 gallon tank, which had a small, contained algae scrubber and am looking to setup a smaller 30 gallon AIO. I like the idea of the mesh and LEDs in filtration section of the AIO, but worry about creating a low tide smell, which will not make me popular with the wife.

 

[Paul B]

Mine was also probably three dollars.

 

[mtnbike101]

Lots of great information on Bud Carlson's site: algaeScrubbing