Algae Scrubber and refugium, same/same or different?

[Thaxxx]

With every tank being different. Those calculation are pretty useless.
There are too many other variables. Just experiment. You'll find the sweet spot.

 

[FishyDP]

I can tell you that for a fudge chaeto is typically used, but many people struggle to keep it alive, no matter what they do.

I have struggled to keep chaeto alive, and just invested in a CW-100 scrubber for this reason. From all of the research I have done, the algae grown inside of a scrubber is much hardier than chaeto, and more efficient. I also found that scrubbers can become too efficient and strip the water of nutrients. The solution to this sounds like dialing the photo period down. We will see, everyone's system is different. Following

 

[atoll]

If you have a scrubber that smells in your cabinet more than a little as in slight seaside smell then I would suggests it's not the best design of scrubber. If you have one you can hear the noise of water coming off the screen again I would suggest it's not the best design of ATS. If it takes more than 5 mins to remove the screen harvest the algae and replace and I wonder about the design. Granted there are some poorly designed scrubbers out there that may be affected by all or some of the above as there are lots of equipment in this hobby is poorly designed. Do your research before purchase it might save you time, money and frustration. Not all scrubbers are created equal and no more than any other item of equipment.

 

[Scrubber_steve]

I also found that scrubbers can become too efficient and strip the water of nutrients. The solution to this sounds like dialing the photo period down.

you can run a photo-period from 7 h/day to 24//7. This will greatly impact nutrient assimilation.

 

[Scrubber_steve]

If you have a scrubber that smells in your cabinet more than a little as in slight seaside smell then I would suggests it's not the best design of scrubber. If you have one you can hear the noise of water coming off the screen again I would suggest it's not the best design of ATS. If it takes more than 5 mins to remove the screen harvest the algae and replace and I wonder about the design. Granted there are some poorly designed scrubbers out there that may be affected by all or some of the above as there are lots of equipment in this hobby is poorly designed. Do your research before purchase it might save you time, money and frustration. Not all scrubbers are created equal and no more than any other item of equipment.

well put.

 

[Fourstars]

I’m setting up a new SCA 150 and had decided to go with a spinning Ball of cheato, now you all have me wondering if I should just put the ATS back online. Thanks a lot!

 

[LARedstickreefer]

I can tell you that for a fudge chaeto is typically used, but many people struggle to keep it alive, no matter what they do.

Mmmm, fudge.

 

[Scrubber_steve]

I’m setting up a new SCA 150 and had decided to go with a spinning Ball of cheato, now you all have me wondering if I should just put the ATS back online. Thanks a lot!

home made scrubber or bought one?

 

[Scrubber_steve]

Mmmm, fudge.

LOL

auto spelling

 

[atoll]

If your preference is for a smelly, noisy poor ATS then perhaps you need one of these. To be honest this type were among the first DIY ATS's and not the best of designs but it was early days so understandable. Waterfall ATS's well the good ones have come a heck of a long way since, thank heaven's.

 

[LARedstickreefer]

If your preference is for a smelly, noisy poor ATS then perhaps you need one of these. To be honest this type were among the first DIY ATS's and not the best of designs but it was early days so understandable. Waterfall ATS's well the good ones have come a heck of a long way since, thank heaven's.

Looks like my display tank.

 

[atoll]

Looks like my display tank.

Better than mine then

 

[LARedstickreefer]

Better than mine then

ATS in display tank, FTW!

 

[theMeat]

If your preference is for a smelly, noisy poor ATS then perhaps you need one of these. To be honest this type were among the first DIY ATS's and not the best of designs but it was early days so understandable. Waterfall ATS's well the good ones have come a heck of a long way since, thank heaven's.

Plus having to clean it once a week, likely running another pump, less safe breeding space for pods, as well as more evaporation.

 

[Fourstars]

Honestly, I might just go with this simple design x2 the powerheads always keeps her spinning, when it stops I transport. I also run a skimmer, like redundancy. KISS Don’t forget the iron and iodine.

 

[Scrubber_steve]

Plus having to clean it once a week, likely running another pump, less safe breeding space for pods, as well as more evaporation.

How often do people clean their socks & skimmers ???

likely running another pump = wrong
less safe breeding space for pods = wrong
as well as more evaporation = wrong

 

[Fourstars]

Pods do seem to prefer turf over cheato.

 

[theMeat]

How often do people clean their socks & skimmers ???

likely running another pump = wrong
less safe breeding space for pods = wrong
as well as more evaporation = wrong

Most set ups I’ve seen have a pump from sump feeding ats. Simply because it’s easier, and most tanks have way too much return flow for what’s recommended for their ats, even if ats is oversized. Sure you could run a split.
I and many I know do not run a sock because who wants to clean it every few days, and if I did I certainly would not want to clean ats screen along with it. I run a low flow sump where debris has a chance to settle out and get consumed. No need for socks or carbon, water is clear.
Water falling down in open air is part of what makes an ats so powerful, because nitrogen leaves the water at the surface. This will also cause more evap. Simple concept.

 

[Fourstars]

Bunch of reef hippies ;-)

 

[Hyde2406]

I find when I go to clean my scrubber, (it's an up flow black box) it is filled with pods they love it