ATS vs Refugium. Which is more efficient

[JCM]

Has there ever been any experimentation done on which is more efficient at removing nutrients? Something beyond anecdotal observation preferably.

If not, what have your experiences been? Prefer one over the other?

 

[JaaxReef]

Has there ever been any experimentation done on which is more efficient at removing nutrients? Something beyond anecdotal observation preferably.

If not, what have your experiences been? Prefer one over the other?

I’ve had both a Macroalgae scrubber (refugium compartment in sump) and a turf scrubber. I think it depends more on how much room you have in your sump.

Hard to say whether one was better than the other, but my refugium with Pom Pom Gracilaria is very effective in my larger system with a fairly solid bio load. Tumbling it will a pump to keep detritus out is my approach. It also keeps nuisance algae from growing on it (see photo). I definitely wouldn’t call it a refugium for this reason.

The turf scrubber took longer to get going for me. I would expect 3-4 weeks before seeing growth on the ATS as long as you have a fair amount of nitrates and phosphates. Mine worked well on my smaller tank for 3 years.

They both so the job well, but if you have the room, I would do a Macroalgae scrubber like I’m doing, as I seem to have more control over it with lighting cycle and removing smaller amounts rather than scraping the ATS and starting over once a week or every two weeks. Seems to be more set and forget and stable.