Clearwater algae scrubber results

[((FORDTECH))]

Hello I just wanted to post this to say how impressed I am with this scrubber. Before buying it I had read a lot of reviews that were mixed which did not help make my decision in the end I went with Clearwater cause it was little cheaper then the other I was looking at. Over all I am very happy and actually impressed with the results I have received. I installed the scrubber on june 25 brand new and started light cycle at 24 hours a day as directions stated. Within 4 days started to see algae growth so turned lights back to 18 hours a day. Also have apex flow sensor installed noting manufacture recommend 600 gph I am pushing only 265 gph threw the scrubber. So now today it’s only been 14 days since new and already need to scrape algae off because screen is completely full and water is coming from emergency drain from so much algae clogging main drain. I’m like wow. Anyways just wanted to share and say these things work to grow algae. Now as far as reducing phosphates or nitrates I have not seen a huge drop in them yet. I’ll be testing daily and will report if anything great happens.

 

[Biglew11]

i just purchased one about 2 weeks ago still haven't found a good way to install into my system. not enough room in stand.

 

[((FORDTECH))]

I’m I had to rig into my system and I was really concerned about getting proper reccomwnded flow to it but as you see with half the flow it still works great

 

[AZMSGT]

When I was running one of these, I found it was to good at sucking nutrients out. Presently it’s off line on my system. I had it turned down to only being on 6hrs a day and it was still to aggressive. Keep an eye on those phosphates and nitrates.
As my system matures I may restart it later.

 

[((FORDTECH))]

When I was running one of these, I found it was to good at sucking nutrients out. Presently it’s off line on my system. I had it turned down to only being on 6hrs a day and it was still to aggressive. Keep an eye on those phosphates and nitrates.
As my system matures I may restart it later.

I’m using gfo and refugium and scrubber now. Even with all 3 phosphates at .1 and nitrates at 2-3 steady. I would really like to stop the gfo so I hope the scrubber starts to work as well as it did for you.

 

[((FORDTECH))]

Just amazing again only 7 days after last harvest this time algae is even thicker.

 

[FishyDP]

Yep, that is what my screen looks like every week as well. I am very happy with my CW-100, keeps algae in the display in check and not alot of maintenance required other than scraping the screen. I much prefer this for nit/phos reduction compared to gfo/phosguard. May actually be cheaper in the long run.

 

[Tanksfishtank]

Yep, that is what my screen looks like every week as well. I am very happy with my CW-100, keeps algae in the display in check and not alot of maintenance required other than scraping the screen. I much prefer this for nit/phos reduction compared to gfo/phosguard. May actually be cheaper in the long run.

What pump do you use for your CW 100. Thanks

 

[FishyDP]

What pump do you use for your CW 100. Thanks

I purchased the bundle package from BRS which comes with the Sicce Syncra Silent 2.0 Pump. I would recommend a different pump though..this pump is not silent and has lost significant power/flow over the last year. If I could do it again I would get a jebao DC pump rated for slightly more gph than the Sicce 2.0 pump. These pumps are dead silent and perform better in my experience. Many available on amazon for a reasonable price. Flow adjustment easier with the jebao as well, have to adjust flow at pump under water with Sicce, vs a control panel on the DC pump.

 

[Tanksfishtank]

I purchased the bundle package from BRS which comes with the Sicce Syncra Silent 2.0 Pump. I would recommend a different pump though..this pump is not silent and has lost significant power/flow over the last year. If I could do it again I would get a jebao DC pump rated for slightly more gph than the Sicce 2.0 pump. These pumps are dead silent and perform better in my experience. Many available on amazon for a reasonable price. Flow adjustment easier with the jebao as well, have to adjust flow at pump under water with Sicce, vs a control panel on the DC pumpAwesome.

Thanks for the quick reply! I will go that route then.
-Tom

 

[sgrosenb]

I’m using gfo and refugium and scrubber now. Even with all 3 phosphates at .1 and nitrates at 2-3 steady. I would really like to stop the gfo so I hope the scrubber starts to work as well as it did for you.

Hi @((FORDTECH)) thanks for the note on the Clearwater algae scrubber. Just curious if you were able to get PO4 and NO3 down low (0.02-0.03 and 5-10 respectively) and keep it low without having to use GFO or and other nitrate reduction. I am currently using GFO and Reef Biofuel but would love to replace those with an algae scrubber if it could keep them down. Thanks!

 

[Treefer32]

I have a turbo aquatics scrubber (very similar in design). I have mine plumbed into my return pump with a valve to control the flow into the scrubber. This is on my 340 gallon system. I scrape the screen every 3-4 days. I also run a n over sized skimmer, vodka dose, and filter socks. I've not done water changes now for about 4 months (tank is operational for about 3 years. )

Nitrates are coming in higher than I like at 22 (Hana high range tester). Phosphates came in at lower than my Hana ULR phosphate tester on my ICP test at .04. Hana tester showed .07. So, I believe the scrubber is definitely controlling my phosphates and limiting what grows in the display. But it is not controlling my nitrates. I'm not sure I need to dose phosphates or reef roids to make either the vodka dosing or scrubber more efficient at removing nitrates. But overall on 340 gallon display and 75 gallon sump. Overall water volume of probably 375 gallons... The fact all three are keeping my nutrients in check without water changes is amazing to me!

I run my lights on the scrubber 22 hours out of 24 hours a day.

 

[((FORDTECH))]

Hi @((FORDTECH)) thanks for the note on the Clearwater algae scrubber. Just curious if you were able to get PO4 and NO3 down low (0.02-0.03 and 5-10 respectively) and keep it low without having to use GFO or and other nitrate reduction. I am currently using GFO and Reef Biofuel but would love to replace those with an algae scrubber if it could keep them down. Thanks!

The truth and short answer is no. I will say I end up settling for higher nutrients about 20 nitrates and .20 phosphates and my sps love it along with the lps. I did end up turning off the gfo and refugium and now only running skimmer and scrubber along with 10% water change a week so I’m happy with this numbers like this.