ATS Build

Reef Breeders · Aug 4, 2012

I just ordered some plastic canvas, and will head to HD in a little while to pick up some plumbing supplies, and will buy a pump form brs, along with some other supplies. I plan on using almost double the surface area recomended (144" squared), with 2 11" x 13" pieces. I want to replace my skimmer with it to cut down on electricity, and may also implement one in my frag system to remove that skimmer. I will use PAR 38 LEDs eventually, but for now it will be incandescent.

Young Frankenstein · Aug 5, 2012

I would not do it for PH issues

j.p. harrington · Aug 5, 2012

also there is a new design for the ATS its called the upflow ats to where u actually tie the canvas to a bubble tube and that creates a upward current up the canvas and the new canvas sizes have been dramatically reduced to be based off what you feed instead of tank size

j.p. harrington · Aug 5, 2012

Carolina Fish Talkeres a link to how to build it

Poseidon · Aug 5, 2012

How would adding an incandescent lamp, and the pump required to grow algae be that different from a quality skimmer, power wise?

It seems most of the newer skimmers pull 30-50W, which is virtually nothing. Not saying that an ATS is a bad idea on its own, I would just look for another primary reason you want it. In my previous experience, they did discolor the water a bit (yellowish) though they do pull out nutrients as advertised.

Young Frankenstein · Aug 5, 2012

Poseidon said:
How would adding an incandescent lamp, and the pump required to grow algae be that different from a quality skimmer, power wise?

It seems most of the newer skimmers pull 30-50W, which is virtually nothing. Not saying that an ATS is a bad idea on its own, I would just look for another primary reason you want it. In my previous experience, they did discolor the water a bit (yellowish) though they do pull out nutrients as advertised.

50w 24/7 is about $6.00 per month, i agree

Reef Breeders · Aug 12, 2012

I will be running it off of my drain line, and eliminate my skimmer, reactors, and a powerhead in my sump, and just use one pump. I bought all of the plumbing parts, and will assemble this today. The lamps will be tyhe spirals for a few weeks, until I order some PAR38 bulbs from our contacts in China. I have a nice camera now, so pics will come. For any of you DIYers, I cut the slot using a sawzall, not the greatest cut, but it worked in a pinch.

Reef Breeders · Aug 12, 2012

Also, the skimmer and reactor will remain on until the ATS establishes in a month or so, then I will begin the experiment. I might switch the tank over to the newest cree XT-Es as well, and use less of them, so that my whole system uses only about 250 watts, and this is a 125 gallon tank. I will simplify it to an ATS, 2 powerheads, dosing pumps, and an ATO unit. The refugium will be emptied of chaeto, and the chaeto will go in my frag system, and be replaced by LR rubble. The frag system will get an external pump, which will run another ats, and both frag tanks. That is the plan anyways.

Young Frankenstein · Aug 12, 2012

anemonekeeper said:
Also, the skimmer and reactor will remain on until the ATS establishes in a month or so, then I will begin the experiment. I might switch the tank over to the newest cree XT-Es as well, and use less of them, so that my whole system uses only about 250 watts, and this is a 125 gallon tank. I will simplify it to an ATS, 2 powerheads, dosing pumps, and an ATO unit. The refugium will be emptied of chaeto, and the chaeto will go in my frag system, and be replaced by LR rubble. The frag system will get an external pump, which will run another ats, and both frag tanks. That is the plan anyways.

I would go slow with the changes, maybe cut the skimmer time in halve, if it works thats awsome ..........thats about $ 30 per month for a 125...........incredible !!

Reef Breeders · Aug 12, 2012

And a couple hours later...

Reef Breeders · Aug 12, 2012

Young Frankenstein said:
I would go slow with the changes, maybe cut the skimmer time in halve, if it works thats awsome ..........thats about $ 30 per month for a 125...........incredible !!

That is somewhat what I planned, I mean going for a month or so, and then cold turkey, won't kill my tank, I have plenty of biological filtration, and water volume at that.