Algae scrubber first harvest?

[PirateMonkeyReefer]

When should I do my first harvest on my turf scrubber? What do you look for?

 

[R.Weller]

I think it depends on the type of scrubber & the kind of algae you are growing. Ours tends to grow a thick mat while others get long, string algae. It took ours about 4 months to really start developing. Anything you scrape off is nutrient export, but I’ve read that it will start to turn brown & it needs to be removed then.

 

[jeffrey750750]

Remember to only remove half at a time

 

[PirateMonkeyReefer]

Remember to only remove half at a time

Thanks for that tip!

 

[PirateMonkeyReefer]

I think it depends on the type of scrubber & the kind of algae you are growing. Ours tends to grow a thick mat while others get long, string algae. It took ours about 4 months to really start developing. Anything you scrape off is nutrient export, but I’ve read that it will start to turn brown & it needs to be removed then.

Thanks for al the info! I’ll have to snap a photo so you have a better idea of what mine looks like

 

[R.Weller]

Thanks for al the info! I’ll have to snap a photo so you have a better idea of what mine looks like

That will help. I need to scrap mine tomorrow as well & will share what it looks like.

 

[FishyDP]

I clean mine when the entire screen is covered with about 1/2" of algae on each side. I try to scrape off about 75% of the algae, and that seems to keep the screen healthy and growing.