Thinking outside the box: Nutrient export

[csm41]

Recently, I have been putting a little thought into all the ways that algae can be implemented to improve our marine aquariums. There has been a lot of talk about algae turf scrubbers and how well they affect the small ecosystems we have developed inside our homes. I have used macro algaes such as Chaeto and Caulerpa to great benefit but never an algae turf scrubber. I am very intrigued with the ATS sytems and that prompted me to start thinking about a 55 gallon cichlid tank I had back in (early 80's) HS that used a reverse flow undergravel filter. I had some strong lights built into the inner part of my stand that I forgot to turn off once when I left for a month long diving trip in the Florida Keys that summer. My parents only fed the fish and added top off water for me while I was gone. I got back and discovered that underneath the UGF was a thick field of algae and that my tank NEVER looked better. Maybe the result was a form of ATS? I have been reading a lot of PaulB's posts and noticed that he has a form of this in a very successful long lived reef tank. I know that a lot of you may scoff at this aproach, but there may be something to this.

Would it be feasable to set up something along these lines? Something to this effect:

-Reverse flow UGF
-Strong lighting directed toward the bottom part of the tank inside the stand
-Run the usual skimmers, sumps, calcium reactors, etc

Opinions good or bad are welcome. I am getting ready to set up another reef tank and am still deliberating the approach I am going to take in regards to filtration. I am not a new reef guy. I have had SW aquariums since I was 12.

 

[Steve175]

Key with nutrient export is to be able to regularly remove the algae growth and trash it (the export part). It is not obvious that your approach would allow access for algae removal. Just growing the algae and then allowing portions of it to die without removal would only recycle the nutrients back into the water column. Maybe I misunderstood your concept? Diagram?

 

[Paul B]

I got back and discovered that underneath the UGF was a thick field of algae and that my tank NEVER looked better.

Do you have lights under the tank to grow algae under the UG filter?

-Reverse flow UGF

Don't do that. I like having the oldest tank on here

 

[andrewey]

As long as you can harvest your algae, algae turf scrubbers will work, and for some people worse, and for some better than a skimmer- it's fun to try out!

 

[csm41]

Do you have lights under the tank to grow algae under the UG filter?

Don't do that. I like having the oldest tank on here

On the 55 gallon I had back in HS I did. Paul, nobody is going to top your tank :beer:

Key with nutrient export is to be able to regularly remove the algae growth and trash it (the export part). It is not obvious that your approach would allow access for algae removal. Just growing the algae and then allowing portions of it to die without removal would only recycle the nutrients back into the water column. Maybe I misunderstood your concept? Diagram?

GOOD POINT. There would be no way to remove excess algae because it would grow beneath the plates. Oh well, guess I will just use macro algae like I have in the past. It worked well.

 

[mgraf]

Why not try and build your own ATS. Works great, I have been skimmerless for well over two years on my 120. I harvest about a 6 oz cup completely full of algae weekly.

 

[csm41]

Why not try and build your own ATS. Works great, I have been skimmerless for well over two years on my 120. I harvest about a 6 oz cup completely full of algae weekly.

I don't have the space. If it was feasable I would. I will probably go back to a fuge/macroalgae set up like I have done in the past. I really would love to go skimmerless if possible.

 

[Devaji108]

the new "rules" for scrubbers are alot smaller that you older ones i am building one right now for my 75 that would need 5x5" I am going with 8X5" just b/c I have lots of flow from my return. so the point is you can really make it very small. floyd has a supper small slick setup if you google ATS I am sure you will be able to find it...hint hint
good luck!

 

[vikubz]

I built one with a little pvc, plastic matting, clamp light and a tidy cat bucket. It grows tons of nasty stuff and none in the DT. I really like it.

 

[emerald crab]

I use skimmer, biopellets, vodka and an algae scrubber. With all the competition that the scrubber gets, it exports around 1-1.25 oz drained algae a week (75 gal medium stoked SPS tank). They're not very big, not hard to make and worth having one IMO.