modded canister filter into ATS

[Gandolfe]

Has anyone every modded a canister filter into a supply for an Algae scrubber. The one i have has a return spray bar that i was gonna adapt to make a wide stream across the mesh and put only carbon material inside to clean water. will this work? The intake will be in the sump as will the ATS

 

[4realestate]

there is a formula that calculates the surface area you need based on the size (gallons) tank you have.
Unless you have a very small tank a canister, may not work for you.

 

[Gandolfe]

its a 125 and the filter i have is rated for up to 175 gallons tank, and pumps out 350 gph

 

[4realestate]

If you can fit the screen into your canister, you have yourself an ats.
The dimensions you need are below...



SCREEN

-Plastic Canvas- (Roughed up, Cactus-like)

(Veritcally Hanging)
1 sq. inch of screen per gallon with bulbs on BOTH sides
(10 x 10 = 100 sq. inches = 100 gallons)
2 sq. inches of screen per gallon, if lit on just ONE side.
(10 x 10 = 100 sq. inches = 50 gallons)

(Horizontal) - (can only be lit from one side, for obvious reasons)
4 sq. inches of screen per gallon
(10 x 10 = 100 sq. inches = 25 gallons)
FLOW
Minimum of 35 GPH per inch of width of screen, EVEN IF one sided
Flow should cover screen evenly


(Should be noted, if one increases flow, light or screen size. The others need to be balanced accordingly)

 

[Gandolfe]

I'm not gonna use the canister itself as the ats, I'm gonna modify the return spraybar and use it for the flow across the screen. The canister itself will have 3 layers of carbon in it for water cleaning. I am gonna also install a phosphate reactor of my return line. I will probably have a mag 5 running it, and a mag 7 for my return from the sump into the tank. I'm building the stand today, almost got the frame finished and ready to skin

 

[Crypsis]

I wouldn't put the GFO reactor upstream from the ATS. Your algae will need the phosphates for growth.

I'm not running an ATS yet but from what I've read you might not even need the GFO once the algae are established. What type of lighting are you planning on running?

 

[Gandolfe]

8 54 watt T5HO's plus 2 96 watt Power compacts, maybe 1 MH later if the corals need more light, I have 26 watt CFL's for the ats