Todd's DIY ATS build...

MidwesternTexan

MidwesternTexan

Average Joe
Are many of you doing/using an ATS?

I started this build 8/25/15- about 4 months ago.
* Just realized- time to change ny CFL bulbs on this
- I plan to go with RED LED grow lights off Ebay/amazon soon also.

I had been a successful grower of chaeto- massive amounts for many years!
It seemed it didn't always keep up with export even with my nig skimmer going.


"Since about a month ago- No more chaeto for me- my skimmer pump even went out 3 weeks ago, and with no chaeto, no skimmer- no noticable changes in anything- no increase in algae, etc.
I owe it all to my ATS

This is my original OP post of by build 4 months ago:
Being the DIY/Use what you got kinda got, 1.5" PVC, my DC12000, etc.
I only had to buy a few fittings, I have most of them.
The most exspensive part of this build was the 4 x reflectors @ 8.50 ea.


Showing the area of the sump where it will go,


Made some slots with my aftermarket Dremel tool
[URL='http://s658.photobucket.com/user/TexasTodd_photo/media/Mobile%20Uploads/D09B1784-3328-4F46-BA4C-26FCBEAD74A9_zpsgyrosaum.jpg.html']

Used PVC I had, roughed up the plastic sheet with a rasp, and installed it with some zip ties


Trial Run flowing water with my DC12000 in my Skimmer area- No good here, when I put the DC12000 on 2 out of 6, no water when to my chaeto, and it dropped my water level
my skimmer sits in


Trial 2 with the pump in the sump main area


Water flow


LET THERE BE LIGHT!




My ATS' DC1200 intake- thru that coarse sponge to keep sump crap out


Yesterdays Obligatory FTS


My thread can be found here:
http://www.3reef.com/threads/todds-ats-build.158942/

If you're keeping a Reef Tank, or just having trouble with nuisance algae-
This is an inexspensive way to combat things- that works and will never 'crash' your system!
 
No one's using an
ATS? NO one cares maybe? Why do I bother here? I thought someone might have some insight, tips, or share their build or store bought maybe?
 
Well it looks like you put a lot of though and effort into this project. I honestly don't know what an ATS for... :uhoh2: Sounds like it for extending the amount of time you have to change out your water? I assume for instance for growing beneficial bacteria? Do you have to clean it every so often?
 
Texan, I like your ATS. It appears to be huge by today's "standards". I converted to LEDs on mine awhile ago and the increase in growth was explosive. I was able to reduce the screen size with the better production which helped with space consumption in my inadequately sized cabinet. Thanks for the info.
 
I've seen too many post that show so much success with ATS systems. I'm planning to implement one in my next build. Outside of rock, foam filters, socks, it very well be my only form of filtration, maybe carbon for water clarity.
 
cvegz said:
there are two stickies under advanced topics on ATS
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply; I didn't think 'stickies' was to add comments, share ideas, etc. I'll check it to it, thanks.

geekengineer said:
Well it looks like you put a lot of though and effort into this project. I honestly don't know what an ATS for... :uhoh2: Sounds like it for extending the amount of time you have to change out your water? I assume for instance for growing beneficial bacteria? Do you have to clean it every so often?
Click to expand...

Thanks,
Don't know what an ATS is for? It's not necesarilly for extending WC's- although it helps alot. Supposedly, many pods to hang out in the algae turf.
It is mainly for exporting Nitrates and Phosphates mainly, and I'm sure other things as well. If I cultivate/grow the algae here, it actually keeps it from growing other place like your DT, Sump, FT, etc.
I was spectical at first- I didn't build one for years- sure glad I did.
There are many reliable/efficient store bought/online models also.
And yes, I simply remove one wheet at a time from the slotted tube, clean the slot with toothbrush and flow; and I scrape the algae from the screen in my kitchen sink, and it's washed down the disposal- easy peasy- litterally only take a few minutes start to finish, and I clean mine about every 10 days recently, staggering the cleaning by a few days so as one of my sheets is always working with algae growth.

Crusinjimbo said:
Texan, I like your ATS. It appears to be huge by today's "standards". I converted to LEDs on mine awhile ago and the increase in growth was explosive. I was able to reduce the screen size with the better production which helped with space consumption in my inadequately sized cabinet. Thanks for the info.
Click to expand...

Thanks, and thanks for calling me a Texan!
Yes, it is very large by todays standards- I agree. With two sheets and staggering the cleaning, I feel one is always working to export, etc.
I'm lucky enough to have this room over one side of my 125g glass sump!
I'm going to go with the grow light, mostly red, some blues off ebay/amazon.

Is the the type of LED's you're using?
HOw long has your been running? MIne- 4 months.
Thank you for sharing your experiences.



Jade5051 said:
I've seen too many post that show so much success with ATS systems. I'm planning to implement one in my next build. Outside of rock, foam filters, socks, it very well be my only form of filtration, maybe carbon for water clarity.
Click to expand...

I was skeptical.
I had always relied mainly on a skimmer, and a huge mass of Chaeto- which I grew well and traded/gave away often- I mean enough to stuff a 30g tank with!
As of a few weeks ago, I am no longer using ANY chaeto!
I used the CFL lights for my ATS. Currently 20hr on/ 4hr off.

If you can make the room, or by a pre made model- I say go for it!
It doesn't rely on any chemicals exchanges like GFO does, etc.
It will never crash a system, etc.

Thank you all for your answers and comments!,
Todd
 
so if I understand correctly if one implements an ATS you don't necessarily need a protein skimmer or an GFO? sounds like a good deal. I don't know how well I be at cleaning the thing tho. :lol: It be nice if it were only once a month sort of deal.
 
geekengineer said:
so if I understand correctly if one implements an ATS you don't necessarily need a protein skimmer or an GFO? sounds like a good deal. I don't know how well I be at cleaning the thing tho. :lol: It be nice if it were only once a month sort of deal.
Click to expand...

I still run a PS. Although mine was offline for 3 weeks until days ago due to a skimmer pump failure- I'm glad to have it back online- 'cause it does pull some dark skimmate.
However- many are using an ATS without a PS and having no problems.
I do have a high coral load.

I've never ran GFO- too many threads of it causing crashes, etc.
And, I never wanted to spend that much on the replacements, etc.

I did rely on a large mass of chaeto- always grew well, but I slowly (6 weeks) gave it all away- and things really have not looked better than currently, without my chaeto mass.

YOu could clean the screen every month, although every 2 weeks is quick and easy and very little if any effort.

I'm as skeptical as anyone, and didn't even consider building mine for at least 2-3 years after I had read about them.
I say go for it, give it a little time- it works!
 
Interesting I didn't know that GFO would crash your tank or could crash it. How would that happen? if you don't mind me asking.

I think if I did something like this I would like to go LED just so there wouldn't be as much heat generated. I also don't have a lot of room so don't know how much space you would need for a small tank ATS setup and if it be worthwhile. I just have a 30 gal tank with 20 gal sump so its not a whole lot. Sounds very interesting tho. I had been planing on going with chaeto at this point.
 
I have been running an ats on a mixed reef for around 3 years now and will most likely never run a salty tank without one. I believe in using a skimmer as well but don't use an over sized one like some skimmer only folks do.
They will allow for less water changes if sized properly but you run into issues with other essential nutrients so I would never be one of those "I never change my water" types.
My one bit of input for Texan would be to watch for your cheato to start turning pale and if so pull it out. I fought this several times because I liked the idea OG the cheato for pod growth but after an ats gets established properly the cheato will die and make a huge mess as it disintegrated. I am using rumble rock hotels for pod growing areas now.
 
geekengineer said:
Interesting I didn't know that GFO would crash your tank or could crash it. How would that happen? if you don't mind me asking.

I think if I did something like this I would like to go LED just so there wouldn't be as much heat generated. I also don't have a lot of room so don't know how much space you would need for a small tank ATS setup and if it be worthwhile. I just have a 30 gal tank with 20 gal sump so its not a whole lot. Sounds very interesting tho. I had been planing on going with chaeto at this point.
Click to expand...

I"m not going to get into the causes of GFO and potential nightmares; there are many posts about it though.
And yes, they make much smaller/copact ones that should work well on a 30g/20sump. I once had enough live green chaeto to pack your 30g in my 125g sump- works OK, but the ATS seems to be overall a much better exporter.

Chris Abbott said:
I have been running an ats on a mixed reef for around 3 years now and will most likely never run a salty tank without one. I believe in using a skimmer as well but don't use an over sized one like some skimmer only folks do.
They will allow for less water changes if sized properly but you run into issues with other essential nutrients so I would never be one of those "I never change my water" types.
My one bit of input for Texan would be to watch for your cheato to start turning pale and if so pull it out. I fought this several times because I liked the idea OG the cheato for pod growth but after an ats gets established properly the cheato will die and make a huge mess as it disintegrated. I am using rumble rock hotels for pod growing areas now.
Click to expand...

As I had stated, I no longer have ANY chaeto- but thanks for the heads up. Thanks for sharing your ats info also.

AZRippster said:
As previously stated, there are two Stickies, which allow anyone to contribute, in the Advanced Topics section. At the present there are 296 pages of great information on ATS in the Algae Scrubber Basics thread.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1977420
Click to expand...

Ah, I see.
Well then, I wouldn't mind going there, reading and posting.
If ya'll like, we can end this thread here, and defer to the stickie thread.
Peace out
Todd
 
xssx said:
How did you cut the slots so perfect?
Click to expand...

Thanks for the compliment- nothings perfict ;-)

I used the dremmel tool and a small cutting wheel.
I thought I posted a pick of that- I may have omitted it on RC b/c of the 10 pics per post thing.

Edit: Here's the pic showing the slot and the tool and the straight edge.


I marked it with a sharpee pen, and a good straight edge, and took my time with the dremel tool. It's not perfiect, but it's close enough and works well.

** However, I may go to another mode, with another piece of pipe, and use a straight edge and drill many individual holes ~ 1/8" along the pipe, and hang the sheet just under it. That way it doesn't get as clogged as easily,
AND- the flow is as good, maybe even better oner the sheet!
A good friend has a purchased model that is done this way, and his works well.

Remember, I'm using saran wrap to keep the spray from the slot off the lights.

Good luck,

Todd
 
Last edited:
don_chuwish said:
Looking forward to seeing how much growth you get, and how fast.
Click to expand...

On another site, I was taking pics and documenting that as first.
Not so much anymore.
It's been running about 4 months now.

I'm getting mostly green, and some brown, and a little red growth.

I stagger my cleaning of my two screens.
I clean about every 10-14days.
Turbo thinks I could probably get away with one of my screens, and it would have more growth on it.

I have the room and like the 2 screen/ dual sided set up.

Hopefully, I'll be getting some of the mostly red, some blue LED growth lights off Ebay/Amazon- I hear the growth really takes off then
** Edit-
My DT/system has Way less nuisance algae than before I started it. Coral look great, etc.
 
these work great
a>
 
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