Empty sump section vs Algae filtration

[Glenner’sreef]

My best tank was a couple of years ago. 137g Peninsula 4 Kessil 160we, Skimmer, Refugium.
Today, and for the past year and a half. 180g 4 Kessil A360x, Skimmer, bare sump.

On Super Bowl Sunday just 3 months ago, I dosed 4 grams of Fenbendazole to eliminate Blue Clove Polyps. BCPs are an invasive coral that doesn’t sting other corals like a similar coral, Blue Sympodium. But it spreads and smothers!
Glad to say the 4 grams wiped out the polyps in my display tank and got my tank back on a healthy footing. Granted it doesn’t look like my tank of 2 years ago but I’m doing everything I can to get it there. FYI, where the BCPs were, they are now gone, but in their place is “moss”. A rather odd phenomenon. Fenbendazole has increased my phosphates and I’m in the process of getting them lowered and removing the moss.
So that brings me to my next move. Previously having a fuge and the obvious benefits of low phosphates and Nitrates. I’m seriously considering the purchase of an Algae Scrubber. I’m looking at one through Ice Cap that is sized for a 225g.
I’m presently making room for it and will likely make the purchase in 3 weeks.

1. Any Algae Scrubber fans out there with experience with one?
First tank: 137g. Second tank: 180g.

 

[blaxsun]

Ok, this perked my interest: is that an actual parrot sitting on your tank lid? Because if so, I think I know where some of your phosphates originated from!

I don't have any experience with algae scrubbers, but the in-sump IceCap version was recommended to me.

 

[Glenner’sreef]

Ok, this perked my interest: is that an actual parrot sitting on your tank lid? Because if so, I think I know where some of your phosphates originated from!

I don't have any experience with algae scrubbers, but the in-sump IceCap version was recommended to me.

That is of course “Polly” guardian of the tank!!! Lol. So I was under the impression that it can be plumbed separate from the sump? I’m hoping to put it outside of the tank stand.

 

[blaxsun]

That is of course “Polly” guardian of the tank!!! Lol. So I was under the impression that it can be plumbed separate from the sump? I’m hoping to put it outside of the tank stand.

The one that was recommended to me was the in-sump model (I just figured with room in your sump that you'd want it there).

 

[X-37B]

Never ran an algae scrubber.
I did set up a remote fuge on my old 120 and its still running. It kept po4 around .05 with heavy feeding.
I am not a fan of light in a sump.
So after success with remote fuge I added some ogo and DB to my 45 frags sump a 40B. Also added chaeto but its messy and I removed it.
This small led in my sump keeps the algae growing and po4 under .1.
I pondered an algae scrubber but just did not want another piece of equipment to maintain.

 

[Glenner’sreef]

The one that was recommended to me was the in-sump model (I just figured with room in your sump that you'd want it there).

I’ll double check the actual dimensions but my cabinet doors aren’t huge and having to clean algae weekly could get old quick. But thanks.

 

[Glenner’sreef]

Never ran an algae scrubber.
I did set up a remote fuge on my old 120 and its still running. It kept po4 around .05 with heavy feeding.
I am not a fan of light in a sump.
So after success with remote fuge I added some ogo and DB to my 45 frags sump a 40B. Also added chaeto but its messy and I removed it.
This small led in my sump keeps the algae growing and po4 under .1.
I pondered an algae scrubber but just did not want another piece of equipment to maintain.

The far left end of my tank would allow me to have an external piece of equipment. Definitely thinking about it.

 

[X-37B]

The far left end of my tank would allow me to have an external piece of equipment. Definitely thinking about it.

Yea I am sold on remote fuge.
3" sand bed some rock, ogo, chaeto, DB, and currently 7 fish.
No3 runs <3 and po4 .05-<.1.
Plus it adds 30g's to my system.
So my new 80 will be around 120g's total.
I run no po4 reducing compounds anymore.

 

[Glenner’sreef]

Yea I am sold on remote fuge.
3" sand bed some rock, ogo, chaeto, DB, and currently 7 fish.
No3 runs <3 and po4 .05-<.1.
Plus it adds 30g's to my system.
So my new 80 will be around 120g's total.
I run no po4 reducing compounds anymore.

A very smart system! Well thought out. Thx

 

[DeniseAndy]

I have algae scrubbers on each system that I can. My 6g is not yet anything but HOB, but will be hooked to sump and then will have an algae scrubber. They are great natural exports of nutrients. I use a HOG UAS type, but have used the floating one too. Never the waterfall type. I have room in the sump and my HOG UAS do a great job!

 

[Glenner’sreef]

I have algae scrubbers on each system that I can. My 6g is not yet anything but HOB, but will be hooked to sump and then will have an algae scrubber. They are great natural exports of nutrients. I use a HOG UAS type, but have used the floating one too. Never the waterfall type. I have room in the sump and my HOG UAS do a great job!

A real confidence booster!!! Thx appreciate it.