Chaeto Reactors compared to Algae Scrubbers

SantaMonica · Sep 17, 2017

With more people wanting to use natural filtration for their tanks, we are going to look at the two main types of units that you can put on your system: Chaeto reactors (or "algae reactors") and algae turf scrubbers (ATS). We won’t be looking at refugiums however, since those have mostly a different purpose. This will be a multi-part post; the next post will start with the basics, so if you’d like anything in particular to be covered, let us know.

RainbowBrite · Sep 17, 2017

I have been thinking a lot about just this for a while now.. It will be very interesting to see what you come up with.

Good luck!

Pongo · Sep 17, 2017

Following.

SantaMonica · Sep 17, 2017

Thanks. There is a lot to look at, once you start getting it all together.

Fishhands · Sep 17, 2017

I was wondering ats instead of fuge or along side one? I watched one of your videos and the fish was eating right from the scrubber.(nice) However, I wouldn't put one in my display. Also, in reference to above what "different" purpose would fuge be for? Other than pods.

SantaMonica · Sep 17, 2017

Well you got it mostly with pods. If you only want them, and have a sump, then a refugium alone is fine.

Donovan Joannes · Sep 17, 2017

I am experimenting @Paul B algae trough and the red dragon breath is thriving inside my canopy. The same fixture is lighting the trough and the display, no additional cost involved. And the amount of pods in it is unbelievable. I have yet to test my PO4, but my NO3 is taken care by my nitrate destroyer. Will update once I test my phosphate.

SantaMonica · Sep 17, 2017

Nice river. Yes as long as the flow is rapid it will functions as a scrubber.

Donovan Joannes · Sep 17, 2017

SantaMonica said:
Nice river. Yes as long as the flow is rapid it will functions as a scrubber.

It's kind of low flow actually. I can't have a lot of flow in that river, it will flood side ways (purposely made one side of the river lower so that water will overflow back into the display in the event of flooding

). I am seeing fine string of algae in there as well. Any issue with low flow (1/5 of my return flow goes thru it)?

SantaMonica · Sep 17, 2017

Slow does not help. But details will be in the upcoming posts

Donovan Joannes · Sep 17, 2017

Hopefully something good for me. I am not worry about nitrate, as it is lower than 5ppm now and phosphate lower than 0.25ppm. I am trying to get it somewhere within recommended level of 0.03ppm with the dragon breath. Just wanna know how it will affect my SPS coloration and growth with lower P. Thanks SantaMonica

Larry L · Sep 17, 2017

I'm not convinced that a chaeto reactor grows chaeto any better than a well-lit sump or refugium.

Donovan Joannes · Sep 17, 2017

Red dragon breath in my trough...

SantaMonica · Sep 17, 2017

Just wanna know how it will affect my SPS coloration and growth with lower P.

Most certainly brighter, and more rapid growth, unless there is something else wrong.

I'm not convinced that a chaeto reactor grows chaeto any better than a well-lit sump or refugium

Well this is what the comparison is about, sort of, and you should end up seeing how a fuge is not really equipted to compete with the others. But it's great for pods.

dragon breath in my trough

Looks like it is holding on! With increased flow however, and a lower water level (like a shallow river that is fast flowing), you will probably see it get covered in green hair. You'll see why soon