Anyone run a turf scrubber?

Leslie88 · Sep 10, 2019

Just curious if running a turf scrubber is worth for an sps tank? Anyone use one, what brand, any improvement in the tank?

VR28man · Sep 10, 2019

I run one of the Santa Monica ATS'. I don't know that it "improves" anything because it's hard to measure something subjective. But I see it fill up 50-100% with algae each week, so it's presumably growing what otherwise might grow in the DT.

drivingmecrazy · Sep 11, 2019

I use a DIY version made from the phosphate reactor. It works great I have to thin out the algae everyone week.I

vetteguy53081 · Sep 11, 2019

I use a clear water unit and works like a champ and constantly producing mats of green algae
Can’t say yes or no to SPS but overall tank health appears to be improved

AZMSGT · Sep 11, 2019

I suggest when you go looking for one consider physical size and dimensions. I bought a Clearwater 200. And for me.. it’s really bulky in my Red Sea cabinet. Learn from my mistake verify that that sucker will fit and be easy to do maintenance on. If I did it over I would likely go to the Turbo Aquatics unit. It’s less bulky for the size I would need on my tank.

Jon Fishman · Sep 11, 2019

I have a clear water 200 and it is just getting-going, but I have started to notice growth, and my GHA on my rocks, which wasn’t bad before, has seemingly stopped growing

Graffiti Spot · Sep 11, 2019

I would go for it if it’s going to be your main filtration method. But bad things happen when people use it along with other filtration methods in an sps tank because they clean the water too much or the thing just won’t grow algae.

Shinister · Sep 12, 2019

Its working great for me. I feed 3-4 times a day. Reef roids/Oyster Feast , 1.5 cube equivalent of Rods, 1-2 cubes of mysis, and pellets. This is a 125g tank with about 10 fish and around 40+ different corals, 7 of them being SPS mini colonies. My scrubber keeps my nitrates around 1 - 2.5 and my phosphates at 0.01-0.04. My nitrates have gone to 0 a few times but never noticed any reaction from any of my corals.

Jon Fishman · Sep 12, 2019

Shinister said:
Its working great for me. I feed 3-4 times a day. Reef roids/Oyster Feast , 1.5 cube equivalent of Rods, 1-2 cubes of mysis, and pellets. This is a 125g tank with about 10 fish and around 40+ different corals, 7 of them being SPS mini colonies. My scrubber keeps my nitrates around 1 - 2.5 and my phosphates at 0.01-0.04. My nitrates have gone to 0 a few times but never noticed any reaction from any of my corals.

That’s good to hear. I cut back feeding and stopped Reef Roids altogether because of the immediate next-day algae film on the glass from it. I may try again now that my ATS is starting to grow a pretty good sheet of green shag carpet

Graffiti Spot · Sep 12, 2019

Some of the most beautiful and natural looking tanks I have seen were large, sun lit or 10k lit and ran with a large algae filter. Each produced amazing natural bright colors. If I used one I would keep nutrients very low with it to try and get the nice pastel bright look, love that look when it’s done right.

biecacka · Sep 13, 2019

I run an ATS. Turbo L3 I think. I feed 5 times a day with an auto pellet feeder and I clean it twice a month. Thick mat of algae each time.

Corey

fishybizzness · Sep 13, 2019

I run a turbo le as well. I had a bad gha outbreak in the dt and now that the scrubber has started to grow well the dt algae is starting to look pale and coming off in clumps! Hopefully it is on its way out!