Anyone using an algae turf scrubber?

[RexBrown]

I've done a lot of reading about these and might try implementing one. I've read some mixed reviews, but I suspect that those who didn't have success with it may not have properly set one up.

Here is a great FAQ on the matter:
http://www.algaescrubber.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=68

It's said that with proper surface area, lighting, and flow, that one should be able to remove their skimmer all together.

Does anyone here have experience with one of these? I'd like to hear your opinion.

Thanks!

P.S. I want to implement one in a new sump for my 180 gallon. You can see my plans for that in the DIY forum.

 

[jhnnle]

I tried it for about a month, was getting a lot of algae growth on the plastic mesh. It was too much trouble removing it and cleaning it out. Finally went back to skimmer and biopellets with great results- no algae at all in the tank.

 

[Drew Shark]

I use one and I love it. However you MUST clean it every week NO exceptions.

 

[happaman]

I've been experimenting with one on my 55 gallon. It's half the recommended size. The tank is sunlit; the ATS is also sunlit receiving only 8 hours of sunlight. It eliminated my cyano but not all the HA. I plan on doing it "right" soon since even 1/2 strength it's worked very well imo. Tank has medium bioload, btw.

 

[gumbii]

it makes a ton of sense, and is a very easy way to filter your tank... but it's a lot of maintenance... reef hobbiest are lazy...

 

[JOSE CASAS]

It works sort of like a fuge but requires larger size and more maintenance.

 

[Clockwork John]

It works sort of like a fuge but requires larger size and more maintenance.

So then why not just run a fuge?

 

[Octoman4]

my buddy set one up and it work for a while but stopped, guess thats the laziness

 

[RexBrown]

I use one and I love it. However you MUST clean it every week NO exceptions.

Yeah, I read that you may as well not implement one if you're not going to clean it each week.
How long have you been using one? Are you using any other mechanical filtration?

 

[RexBrown]

So then why not just run a fuge?

It is supposed to be more effective than a fuge. Enough so, to where some are able to remove other mechanical filtration methods.

I really want to give this a go.

 

[Drew Shark]

Yeah, I read that you may as well not implement one if you're not going to clean it each week.
How long have you been using one? Are you using any other mechanical filtration?

I have been using one for maybe two months. I only have one piece of mechanical filtration, a big piece of filter floss. If you have any other questions about algae scrubbers ask away.

 

[happaman]

I believe it is more effective than a fuge; compared to my old system with chaeto, dsb, skimmer, gfo reactor (a 125 gal/sps dominant tank) I think my small ATS is almost as effective. Still have issues with hair algae. But, no $ for gfo, less electric, so it's "better" in that way. I do use a filter sock. I can't really argue this is the best way since I'm doing it half a$$ed. I scrape the screen with a razor blade once a week. I'm kinda lazy but it's only a little more work than thoughly cleaning a skimmer cup.

 

[JOSE CASAS]

I believe it is more effective than a fuge; compared to my old system with chaeto, dsb, skimmer, gfo reactor (a 125 gal/sps dominant tank) I think my small ATS is almost as effective. Still have issues with hair algae. But, no $ for gfo, less electric, so it's "better" in that way. I do use a filter sock. I can't really argue this is the best way since I'm doing it half a$$ed. I scrape the screen with a razor blade once a week. I'm kinda lazy but it's only a little more work than thoughly cleaning a skimmer cup.

better I beg to differ if you do it gravity fed low to no electricity. Also the size will really determine how well and really both are about the same but the fuge has almost no mantaince.

 

[RexBrown]

I believe it is more effective than a fuge; compared to my old system with chaeto, dsb, skimmer, gfo reactor (a 125 gal/sps dominant tank) I think my small ATS is almost as effective. Still have issues with hair algae. But, no $ for gfo, less electric, so it's "better" in that way. I do use a filter sock. I can't really argue this is the best way since I'm doing it half a$$ed. I scrape the screen with a razor blade once a week. I'm kinda lazy but it's only a little more work than thoughly cleaning a skimmer cup.

I have been using one for maybe two months. I only have one piece of mechanical filtration, a big piece of filter floss. If you have any other questions about algae scrubbers ask away.

What are you guys using for lighting? I understand that it should be uniform to have an even dispersion of algae.

I'm looking forward to doing this. I may have to change my new sump design to incorporate a larger ATS than I was thinking about.

 

[Drew Shark]

What are you guys using for lighting? I understand that it should be uniform to have an even dispersion of algae.

I'm looking forward to doing this. I may have to change my new sump design to incorporate a larger ATS than I was thinking about.

I use the curly power saving lights inside of a shop light reflector. I probably have about 0.75 watts per gallon.

 

[RexBrown]

Resurrecting this thread from last month, I did build my Algae Turf Scrubber!
I've had it up and running for ten days.

Here is a photo of it at Day #3

Here it is today at Day #10

A close up shot of the growth so far:

You can see that I used union connectors to make removal of the screens easy. I might adjust my lighting, but so far they seem to be working fine. I removed the screens and cleaned them in fresh water for the first time right after these photos were taken. I hope I have way more growth by next week.

Once I have a greater amount of growth and have done several screen cleanings, I'm going to ween my system off the other mechanical filtration systems. I'll keep a close eye on my parameters and see what happens. I should also photograph my coral to see what, if any physical responses they might have.

That is way more growth than I thought I would have in such a short time from start. I'm pretty excited about the prospect of having this as my primary filtration. It's natural, cheap, and hopefully effective.

Any comments or questions are welcomed!
Also, for those of you running an ATS, please post your pics.

 

[RexBrown]

Also for those of you using one, what kind of light cycle are you running?

 

[Drew Shark]

Also for those of you using one, what kind of light cycle are you running?

I am running mine on a reverse schedule of my tank. It is on 18 hours and off 6 hours.

 

[RexBrown]

Bump with a one week update.
Yesterday I had much more growth on the screen than last week.
Here it is at Day 17

A close up

Here is the algae I removed

I don't know if this is typical growth for a new ATS, but I am certainly surprised how fast it has taken hold. I can't wait to see how much I get next week.

For those of you using an ATS, how much growth did you get in the first month of use? At what point did the amount of algae level off?

 

[wickedfish]

Rex,

Thank you for your posts. I'm gonna bug you for more info. I see the plumbing parts you used. How do you feed your ATS flow? Could you give me a buy list for what you used besides the plumbing PVC I can see that. Also can you show us the cut above the screen and where you bought the screen.

Yes I wanna copy you. I think I can make a small one above my fuge and the runoff serves as flow for the chaetto.